1839 ALS from an Ohio man reconnecting with his sister in Connecticut (family misfortune & postal expansion content)
A long letter with a few standout passages, written to an estranged sister and catching her up on the family health ("Father had his fingers froze so badly that it caused them all to be taken off except two"), additions and terminations of the family tree, religious conversion ("They experienced religion last winter and joined the Christian Church"), and the forecast for future visits ("If you calculate to see your parents this side of the grave, you must come soon, for a few more rising and setting of suns and the place that knows them now will know them no more forever").
He seems to miss her and wishes to reconnect: "Although the distance is so great, we have a way, if we are disposed to improve it, that we can converse together through the medium of letters." This may be a reflection of the postal expansion after all US railroads became designated “post roads" in 1838, allowing for more reliable and expedient service. He closes, "Write as soon as you get this and let us know how you are a getting along in the world and also your hopes beyond the grave for we feel very anxious to hear from you."
Thick green bifolium, 12.5 x 8 inches, folded with red postal stamp "CONNEAUT/O" and manuscript "25" rate, addressed to Betsey S. Johnson, at Enfield, Connecticut. Small holes worn through at the creases, one corner clipped, else Very Good.
Full transcription:
Conneaut, January the 5 1839
Dear Sister,
I feel it my indispensable duty to write to you to let you know the state of our health and the transitions that have taken place since we have heard from you, because none of my elder brothers nor sisters esteem it their privilege: the reason for not writing I shall not undertake to give but for some reason it has been neglected. Father had his fingers froze so badly that it caused them all to be taken off except two, but is now enjoying good health for one of his age. Mother is failing fast in her old age. She has had many poor turns and a few more will wind up her earthly career, but she trusts in God that she shall land her soul on the fair banks of deliverance where the wicked shall cease from troubling and the weary soul shall be at rest.
Rodney is living in Girard Village. He is not very healthy and his wife is also very weakly. He rented one house this summer and has built him another. They have no children living. Nelson lives in Springfield. They are all well. They have five children, one boy and four girls. They experienced religion last winter and joined the Christian Church. I suppose you have heard of the death of Lucius, therefore I shall but give you a brief sketch of it. He went into Illinois as a clerk for Mr. Woodworth. He had not been there but about three weeks before he expired, which happened on the 5 of September in the year 1833. Parker lives in the edge of Ohio about three miles from our house. He was married to Louisa C. Clark four years ago last Dec. They have one child, a little girl. They are enjoying good health. Rebecca was married to Emmons D. Chase seven years ago last July. They have four children, three boys and one girl. She started for Illinois a few days ago. Her husband went up there last Spring and sent for her to come. Harriet is living at home. She has been weakly for a number of years. She belongs to the Methodist Church. Avis was married to Horace Cook on the 3 day of Oct. 1833. They have had two children, but have lost one. They are in middling good health. They live about two miles from our house. Hezekiah is in good health. He will be of age the 16 day of next August. He is a boarding out and going to school this winter. Joseph, your youngest Brother that is trying to write a few lines to you, lives to home and is in good health.
(2)
Although the distance is so great, we have a way, if we are disposed to improve it, that we can converse together through the medium of letters and I hope we shall improve every opportunity. Uncle Oliver departed this life on the 19 of May 1838. The rest are all enjoying good health. The children are all married except Chester. Uncle Curtis Tisdel died the 20 of Nov 1837.
Mother feels very anxious to see you once more. We understood that you was a coming out here next summer. We should be very much pleased to see you. If you calculate to see your parents this side of the grave, you must come soon, for a few more rising and setting of suns and the place that knows them now will know them no more forever. My pen is getting [pale?] and I must draw my letter to a close. We send our best respects to you your husband and your children. We want to see you very badly.
(3)
Write as soon as you get this and let us know how you are a getting along in the world and also your hopes beyond the grave for we feel very anxious to hear from you.
Direct your letters to Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio…