1834 ALS from a Midwest speculator to his brother in Vermont, on mortality and Ohio as the promised land
Manuscript letter, bifolium, 10 x 7.5 inches. Fair to Good, with four tissue repairs and several losses along the upper fold and at the intersecting creases, some interruption to text. A dense letter written by Nathan Button (1806-1836) from Franklin Mills, Ohio (Kent) to his older brother, Ira Button (1797-1863) in Brandon, Vermont, dated January 27, 1834. Bifolium, 10 x 7.5 inches. Fair to Good, with four tissue repairs and several losses along the upper fold and at the intersecting creases with minor interruption to text. Franklin Mills was renamed Kent in the 1860s. The Buttons were born in Rutland County, Vermont; Nathan had traveled westward and gotten involved in several schemes. As of this letter, he is involved with a flour business and had recently undertaken a “Michigan expedition” and was proposing land speculation (“we can purchase allmost anything and make something on it”).
The first page contains auspicious and cautionary New Year’s sentiments (“The commencement of a new year ought always to constitute a new era of our life, a time never to be banished…”) along with some personal updates that suggest the letter is early, perhaps only the second, in a recently cultivated correspondence. He notes his wife, Charlotte, had been unwell for several years and that the move to Ohio was beneficial for her health (“our section of country I think is healthier than any other I ever say, but not so in other places. Other places for money, and this for health”).
The writing is difficult to decipher and suffers from the paper losses and fading. Most of the second page is devoted to business and mentions several names, including J. Kent (flour); N. J. Sprague (back in VT); Mr. Wood, a circuit judge due to be Ravenna in 6 weeks; Rose & Woodcock; Mr. Bartlett, supplier of inferior quality axes; and Bates, “doing a pretty fair business but rather small.”
On the last page, he remarks, “The great rush of settlers next summer I think will be first to [Maurnee?] and from thence to Indiana & Illinois…I wrote on a paper about my Michigan expedition and will only add that we can purchase almost anything and make something on it… I could make net profits 3500 but I have not got the cash neither can I raise it.” He doesn't ask his brother for an outright investment, but leaves a PS hoping his brother "will not fail to remit" payment for some flour, and advising him that "Money can be loaned to business and wealthy men in this county at 12½ pct.”
Partial transcription
Franklin, January 27, 1834
Dear Brother,
A few days since I received a letter from you containing much good advice. The commencement of a new year ought always to constitute a new era of our life, a time never to be banished... I hope you & I have concluded to live better lives than we have heretofore.
Our last new year will ere long come. Perhaps we have seen our last. If we have not, doubtless some of our friends have. A solemn thought. In the brief space of one year or less, to be gathered to our cold and last home (the grave). If death forever terminated our being, surely the chaos of darkness beyond the grave, would be to us a theme on which we should dwell, with anything but pleasure. But our life is short, even if our years number three score & ten, and Eternity, how long its duration. My prayer is that we may all live in a manner that when our last new year is gone and the time of dissolution draws near, out souls may take a happy flight to worlds beyond the skies, where all is harmony, love and peace.
Myself & Family are well. Charlotte has not enjoyed as good health for several years before. In fact, our section of country I think is healthier than any other I ever say, but not so in other places. Other places for money, and this for health. Are you coming to see us next season, and if so, what time. If Father Pomeroy should visit us in June or July, perhaps Charlotte would return with him and stay until I go to N. York, which would be about the 10th of Sept. Perhaps you and Phebe will come in the first part of the season, and if so she would return with you.
She wishes once more to visit Vermont before you all leave, believing you will leave before long, for why should you tarry in a desert, when thousands of fruitful fields, and pleasant vales lay before you unoccupied, inviting you to come and rest in their peaceful bosoms. In your next, let me know if you have made up your mind to see Ohio soon, also how you get along with your canal, also, what you think of my proposed land speculation, and finally all about work and every thing else you can think of all is very interesting to me.
....
[content about something being shipped to the wrong place]
If navigation was open now, I could send you 200 [Bbls] I want you to write if people do not like Ohio flower better than any other. Say to N.J. Sprague, I have not yet seen Mr. Wood yet on his business. He is a judge of the circuit court, and will be in Ravenna in about six weeks then I will see him. I send the two notes I hold against Rose and Woodcock and are secured by mortgage on property. I want you should get Sprague or someone else to cash them before next spring even if you have to make it equal to 9%...
The Bartlett axes were too small. We do not want any axis weigh less than four something till Mr. Bartlett three of his axes failed and are not all sold yet and when I purchased of the green the first year failed...
The great rush of settlers next summer I think will be first to [Maurnee?] and from thence to Indiana & Illinois… I wrote on a paper about my Michigan expedition and will only add that we can purchase almost anything and make something on it. Do you think law will bring in New York next spring or summer $.10 per pound if it would and I have $10,000 to log out in the article I could make net profits 3500 but I have not got the cash neither can I raise it the last week I have taken less cash for goods than usual
The weather is now very cold, but we do not get any sleighing. The ground has been bare with the exception of three or four days of winter...
I hope you will not fail to remit early in the spring what little money will be due me for flour &c so I shall then [show?] in need of it.... Mr Pomeroy must pay the charges... Money can be loaned to business and wealthy men in this county at 12½ pct.