Benton Barracks, Missouri 1862

Letter from James Burnett, Benton Barracks, Missouri., Dec 14, 1862. Says he has had some problems with boils, but is fit as a fiddle now., we are all under marching orders ., some of the paroled men have arrived., a great many have been exchanged and many have gone home....it seems we will be having some good battles soon..he plans on sending up a photograph of himself, once the weather has cleared.

Ebay Item number:300340812673

Edith and Marie Lorimer

A batch of 17 letters home from Edith and Marie Lorimer to husband/father Edward D. Lorimer, Philadelphia, PA sent during their vacation trip to the historic Eatons' Ranch on Wolf Creek in 1926. It was founded by the Eaton Brothers and considered the first real dude ranch in the West. Twelve letters with illustrated stationery -letterhead and covers; plus five letters en route, incl. railroad and Northern Hotel, Billings, Montana.
Although the content is mostly brief, the vast majority of the letters have multiple pages and there is an array of interesting mentions -- riding to the Canyon with Uncle Will [Eaton] (2pp description); Custer Battlefield; trout fishing on the trail; cowboys; Wild West Show, Dexter, Montana; and more.

This fantastic batch of letters is for sale on Ebay Item number: 230364069640

Polley Anthony of Portsmouth

A 3 page letter from Polley Anthony of Portsmouth to Mary Mann in Wrentham, Massachsuetts regarding the health of the family, the death of children and an upcoming visit in the summer.

Ebay Item number: 380137149878

Dr. G. Pierrepont Davis, Hartford, Connecticut

Letter signed, "Pierre" [Dr. G. Pierrepont Davis], Hartford, Connecticut, March 18, 1888, on personal stationery with postally sent cover to his mother in St. Augustine, FL.
Four pages filled with exciting content on digging out in the aftermath of the notorious blizzard -- trying to cut a path to the street; neighbor Mr. Post clearing to Gillette; carting off "a mountain of snow"; and travelling in the "family sleigh" to the hospital.

This interesting letter is for sale on Ebay Item number:230359704093.

Dr. Franklin Staples, Winona, Minneapolis 1889

Fascinating letter from Dr. Franklin Staples, Winona, Minneapolis to Seward D. Allen Esq. who was currently travelling in Portland, ME. Oct. 28, 1889,

Staples uses Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem about his Portland boyhood, "My Lost Youth", as a reference to point out various local sites to Allen. He interweaves the sites with lines from the poem.

Brief excerpt:
"'I remember the bulwarks by the shore; and the port upon the hill' - The bulwarks by the shore were near the foot of India Street and the fort upon the hill was near the Southwest corner of the Eastern Cemetery."


Ebay Item number: 230358150106

Asahel Strong 1814

Letter dated 1814, where Asahel Strong ( camped at Camp South Boston) has written to his brother Jonathan Strong of Northampton, Massachsuetts. In this letter Asahel relates that there is sickness among the men, but Elisha's company of men are fine and are at Cambridgeport...there is very little prospect of attack from the enemy...Jason Strong and Joshua Curtis had been arrested and under guard , now liberated he hopes they will behave better. Captain Partridge and his men are fine...when he can return he knows not..signed Asahel Strong.

This letter is for sale on Ebay
Item number:
350217496858

St. Luke's Madhouse in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Two letters regarding St. Luke's Madhouse in Newcastle Upon Tyne bothe circa 1789:
The first letter on two pages from Christopher Parks and Elizabeth Jackson, Keepers of the Madhouse for over twenty years, regarding the mental state of Elizabeth Airey. They refer to her at one point as a Lunatick. The second is an Affidavit of Dr. John Hall of his medical practice examing people to determine their sanity, and specifically addressing the sanity of the above Elizabeth Airey. Ebay Item number: 330343112759

CABOTVILLE, MA HANDWRITTEN DUNBAR FAMILY LETTERS

Lot of (8) family letters to Jacob K. Dunbar in Lisbon, New Hampshire. Five letters from Cabotville, Massachusetts; 1 Chicopee, MA; 1 Troy, New York; and Vergennes, Vermont. 1839-1844.

Excerpts:
Chicopee, MA - July 18 [no year] "Last Wednesday Mrs. Remington's buildings were all burnt, undoubtedly the fire was set. It was a good fire I assure you. I suppose you will know it was the dressmakers shops, Mrs. Waits and union store, Purshley's [?] hat store, etc. Ten or twelve families were turned into the street."

Troy, NY - April 23, 1840 - Over 150 converted to the God in the Church..."more real comfort in Religion in one day than I ever had in my life." Abigail H. Clark; David B. Clark.

Cabotville, MA - Jan. 1842 - "Lilias wants Dr. Richardson to send her a plaster to put on her stomach such as he gave her the first time she ever saw him - smelt strong of garlicks - was the color of grounded brick when wet." More medical content. The letter also mentions Minerva.

Cabotville, MA - Oct. 1842 - "Eliza's health is not very good. She has tended 2 frames ever since I came back. it is too much for any one, but she does it because she cannot make anything without the wages are so low." [Another letter mentions that Eliza's only free time from the mill is from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. -- almost a 14 hour day.]

This interesting batch of Dunbar family letters is for sale on Ebay Item number: 230352979159.

1856 LITTLE VALLEY, NY LETTER - KANSAS, BORDER RUFFIANISM

Letter from Charles Freeman in Little Valley [Cattaraugus County, New York], Aug. 20, 1854. to niece and nephew [Elisha Freeman.] Nearly two pages on "Bleeding Kansas".
In part:

"I sometimes wish you lived in some other state, where you could enjoy freedom of speech, although I rejoice that there are so many in St. Louis that do not go with Border Ruffianism.";
"...the whole world appears to be in commotion. Look at Congress. There is much more excitement, knock down and murder, than anything that is good. Look at California, all confusion murder & hanging - What does all this mean..."
"One thing I verily believe, which is, that God is about to bring this human curse called slavery to a crisis, for although I live in Cattaraugus, yet we have papers giving inteligence...and my observations teaches me this, that every move which of late the South are making, is completely calculated to cut their own throats...there is hardly a Northern State, that has not sons...which have fell marters to freedom, by the hand of those cursed Border Ruffians and their blood begins to cry to us, from Kansas..."

This interesting letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 230351915550.

Ophelia Polk, Bayou Bartholomew 1868

Jan. 12, 1868, from Ophelia Polk to parents. Ophelia comments on the difficulty of finding and training servants among other topics. Excerpts:
"I was in hopes Emmeline would want to cook this year for me, but she said nothing about it. She has divided off poor Eliza's children among their kin, and only keeps some of the youngest herself."
"Mr. Polk has given up the Honduras notion now entirely and is willing to return to Tenn, much to the satisfaction of the girls and myself."
"...it is true the land is splendid but the negroes are too lazy to work it as it should be, and it does not pay to live in a sickly country and make cotton. I never want to see another seed planted."
"Jan. 13th This morning a negro woman was drowned in front of our house crossing the bayou, the boat turned over with them. I felt so sorry for the mother of the girl. She was on the bank looking at them cross and the boat struck a snag and threw her daughter and little boy out..."

Item number: 230351119461

1811-63 FAIRMAN, ROGERS FAMILY ARCHIVE

Handwritten lot of (19) letters centered around noted banknote engraver and inventor, Gideon Fairman (1774-1827) and his daughter, Caroline Augusta Fairman (b. 1809) who married wealthy iron and hardware merchant, Evans Rogers in 1830. Rogers owned a mansion on Washington Square in Philadelphia. [Evans and Caroline Rogers were the parents of Helen Kate Rogers who married Horace Howard Furness.]
Many of the letters were sent to Mrs. Stewart (Susan) Lewis of Albany, the sister of Gideon Fairman's deceased wife. Caroline appears to have been adopted by the Lewis family as she refers to Mrs. Lewis as mother. A few later letters were sent by Evans Rogers to daughter, Kate. Other correspondents include George Washington Fairman; David Fairman (one each), E. B. Hill. There are a number of letters of great interest:
(4) Autograph signed letters, G.[Gideon] Fairman, 1811-19. An 1811 letter with a fabulous "original" small drawing of ladies pantaloons. A few docketed, "Col. Fairman" [War of 1812 service].
1827 Phila. letter of Dr. Thos. B. Jones announcing death of Fairman, by "second attack of his disease."
1830 retained letter of Evans Rogers to Caroline with confession of love and marriage proposal. Rogers provides detailed content on his family history and financial standing.
1830s letters, newly married Caroline in Philadelphia -- with wonderful descriptions of her life in high society -- "four or five parties every week"; bed at 2 or 3; social calls every day; three parlors; servants.
1835-36 Two travel in Europe letters, Paris, Frankfort, letters home from Caroline -- with intricate detail -- Italian Opera; dining at Verys w/ floor to ceiling mirrors and cocks-comb pie. One with small hand drawing.
Plus, two 1863 ALSs, "Evans Rogers", while vacationing in Long Branch, NJ -- genteel company; riding Archy; crabbing; "Mr Furness luxuriates in the Blackberry field and Horace with his bugs."

This fantastic group of letters is up for sale on Ebay, Item number: 230349991355.

WILSON L. TURMAN, CAMP DOUGLAS, CHICAGO

A 2 page letter (front & back) written by WILSON L. TURMAN during his time as a guard at CAMP DOUGLAS in Chicago, IL.

In the letter, Turman mentions GRANT, SHERMAN, THOMAS and SHERIDEN. He also talks of the stench of the dead carcasses. Turman pens a detailed recipe for beer on the majority of the 2nd page of the letter and signs his name in closing.

The letter in part reads:
" And by the eternal we will only think of it. How will those bruised men black with the smoke of battle coming up through that firey furnace with SHERMAN with GRANT with THOMAS with SHERIDEN and a host of others feel when they see their meanest enemies at home. And tell me not that they do not know them. For a single glance of the ? portrays them for their deeds are written upon their brow and ? that has eyes can read. I am small in stature. But I am a head and shoulders taller when I get away ? things for taller. I try breath a purer air and lifting my thoughts heavenward. The stench from their putrid carcasses fall beneath and the bright sunshine that glitters upon the fields of our banner as she floats over the ramparts of Richmond loomes up and the flames as of olden time seemed to burn up the drops and verify that the sacrifice is exceptable before God Hallalujah the Lord God ? riseth. Let the earth rejoice and all things that are therein. My soul feasts upper. ? things for never did I know what happiness was before for I am so glad that my feeble mind ? the trying scenes through which we have had to pass has stood firm in its purpose and never a weary abrupt disturbed it. And I even I am permitted to stand and view the Promised Land with its returning herds leaping upon the green pastures that returning peace and liberty affords. But these thoughts are abortive. My mind fails to grasp language adequate to express the glory of the future. But glory glory is the out burst of my heart for its glittering streamy rais fill my soul and I will sing it forever and ever in the face of COPPERHEADS in the face of my meanest enemy I will shout. But I must close."

This great Civil War letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 300322983832

J P Bambrick 1847

Handwritten letter to parents, Sept. 23, 1847, from J P Bambrick. The dateline notes Harrisonburg. Based on the letter content [proximity to New Orleans; river] this Harrisonburg most likely is in Louisiana (vs. Virginia.). Bambrick writes in part:

"The season has been "midling sickly and a good many deaths have arrived in our town...The yellow fever is raging in the city and no prospect of it decreasing untill there is a killing frost. The mortality has been very heavy from 5 to 600 hundred pr day."

"Cotton opens very lively here this season. It brings from 10 to 12 1/2 cents..it has been dry an[d] very favorable for picking cotton..."

"I traded my mild filly...for a race horse or rather pony and made a race on him for 25$ and won it and then sold him for 75$ in cash."

This great old letter is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 230348680956.

Dana and Jennie Barber letters 1888-89

Four letters 1888-89, from Dana and Jennie Barber, newcomers to Knowles, MD. The letters were sent to sister and mother, Mrs. C. H. Duffy, New York City and Mrs. Geo. Root, Nineveh, NY. Three of the letters were sent from Dana at his Washington D.C. office. The highlight is the 12 page letter, octavo, from Jennie. Highly detailed in content, she describes her new home: Neighbor Mrs. Smith expects her "confinement" in a week, "but goes banging about as though nothing was the matter."; Kate Hayden, in a Queen Anne cottage on the other side has worked at the Treasury for 13 years and holds a literary club;. "...we pay $1.50 a cord for seasoned oak...then I gave a n-----r [racist term] $1.15 for sawing." [Knowles] "This is not a village at all; only a large farm which was owned by Mr. Knowles, grandfather of our landlord and after the death of the old people the farm was sold in parcels of 10 acres and less; there were only three or four houses until quite recently, every one has plenty of room; we have over half an acres, triangular in shape." Plus, attends new church with "shouting Methodist" who can be heard through closed windows a quarter mile away"; buys corn at the Health Food Co. and locally grown White Star potatoes for 80c a bushel; much more minute detail.

This group of interesting letters is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 230347073715.

North Shore New York 1847

Letter post marked North Shore New York. Written in 1847 by E Allen, to his brother Wm in Flat Brook, NY. He writes about teaching, but is looking into a secret job. Writes about local people, and says in part...we have had but 3 days sleighing upon the island this winter, the ground is frozen hard, and the wagoning is good...... if you was not anxious to enter college I could get you the academy here, which would be worth 5 or 6 hundred dollars per year.. the teacher that has it will probably not stay more than this quarter.....Give my love to Aunt B.......I have my health.....

Ebay Item number: 160339307638.

L. H. Cook to D. H. White 1855

1855 letter from L. H. Cook to D. H. White in Iowa that mentions near the end: "There is some talk about the Indians being trouble some and scares some of the Women almost into a duck fit it has been reported that there is 6000 at the Counsul bluff but it does not interupt me till I know more about it . . .

This interesting letter is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 350204519314.

James Crandal 1792 Rhode Island

Hand written letter dated 1792 with the letter writers seal beside his name.

Know all men by these present that I James Crandal of Westerly in Washington County and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation for it valuable consideration to me in hand well and truly paid by Daniel Whitney Late of Newport now residing in the State of Masachusets and herewith I am content do hereby sell asign set over and transfer unto him the said Daniel Whitney a certain ballance reported to be due to me by a committee appointed by the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island and on account of the depreciation of my pay as a solider in the late State Regiment commanded by Coll. John Toppin which ballance amounting to fifteen pounds eleven shilling lawful money as by the depreciation account of said regiment will appear and with the interest due thereon to have and to hold the said transferred balance to to him the said Daniel Whitney his heirs Executor (?????can't make this word out) or asigns forever furthermore I the said James Crandal do hereby constitute and appoint the said Daniel Whitney or his atterney my Atterney and in my name but for his or there use to demand and recover said ballance and acquittance thereof to give in my name and this I give as my Irrevocable power with full power of substitution In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 30th day of March in the 16th year of American Independence A1792 Signed sealed and delivered in presents of Sam Bliven George Saunders Washington County of Westerly March the 30th A1792 Personally appeared the above subscriber M'James Crandal and acknowledged the before going instrument to be his free act and deed hand and seal before me. Sam Bliven Justice of the Peace.

This document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 180359723034.

Lee family of Virginia

Three letters from the Lee family of Virginia. They include: (1) 2 pg. letter, November 28, 1789, Goochland, from Richard Lancelot Lee to his mother Betty Heale. In this letter Richard mentions he saw Kendall in Fredericksburg and that he ran into a Samuel Harding who had "lately been in the neighborhood of Ditchley & had heard that the family wee all tolerable well." He goes on to say that he sent Daniel (probably a slave) to buy some material for stockings, shoes, and a hat that he wishes to be made up for Tom. He mentions Kendall has a fine son about 6 weeks old. He gives compliments to his brother William. He adds that Daniel will carry down a horse for him and Arthur could take of the horse until he comes down. (2) A 2 pg. letter, March 12 1812, written by Louisa Lee to her aunt. The partial address indicates the aunt is "Mrs. Priscilla Edwards. The letter has much religious content. (3) A partial letter (no date) written by Judith B. Lee.

This great batch of Lee family letters is for sale on Ebay Item number: 280346604192

1737-1738 FIVE LETTERS FROM A PERSON JAILED FOR DEBT

Mr de Bellisle who is in the Chatelet jail of Paris writes patiently to Mr the chevalier de la Rye, the director general of tobacco in Paris, initially for a loan of 50 gold Louis and then as time passes to ask him to certify and pay accounts that will allow him to recover his freedom.

Mr de la Rye appears to have not reacted very quickly: the first letter is only dated 1737 and Mr de Bellisle has already been in jail six months. The following letters are dated May and December 1737 and then April and May 1738 and Mr de Bellisle is still very politely asking for the payments that would make him a free man.

Ebay item Item number: 360155979000.

1784-1864 WESTFORD, CT LETTERS, REV AMOS SNELL, BAPTISTS

Interesting lot of 9 handwritten letters, 1837-1864, to Rev. Amos Snell, a Baptist Church elder in Westford, Windham County, Connectiicut and later South Wilbraham, Massachusetts. The letters are primarily personal nature letters from former Snell church members in a variety of locales.

Some of the highlights:
1840 Hillsboro, Illinois letter, 3pp., Sabria Bennett. The writer dislikes Illinois, the "Western Wildernes"; "...not an eastern family in this neighborhood all suckers...they are not our sort of people."; "O that we could see you and hear you blow the Gospel"; "We often hear the wolves howl near our cabin doors verry thick. Two have been killed so near the house we could hear them bleat like a calf."
1854 East Pembroke, New York, 2pp, legal, Charles Snell, brother. Fire at large tavern house of Edward Powers . "Burnt to ashes", killing young son.
1837 Stafford, CT, Jemima Hicks, 2pp., legal. Had typhus fever, now in poor health. Highly religious letter with a few poetic lines re Jesus. "I can hardly refrain from weeping when I think of the long suffering compassion of the savior towards me..." Mentions "poor sinners"; "Pilgrimage to the Celestial City" and laboring in the "vineyard of the Lord."
Fabulous autograph letter signed, "Asa Snow", Petersham [MA], Jan. 17, 1854, 1 1/4pp., plus 1p. letter of Snow's second wife, Eunice. The internet has some interesting background information on this strange inviidual, also known as Asa "Popcorn" Snow, including his main diet of popcorn and milk; suicide death of first wife Isabelle; and Snow's metal casket with viewing window (became a local tourist attraction.)

This great group of letters is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 230342789464.