1860-1861 ARCHIVE OF EIGHT [8] HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT LETTERS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS - ENTERPRISE ILLINOIS TO CHICAGO TO AURELIUS NEW YORK

Katz Fine Manuscripts Verified independent store

→

On offer is a modest archive of eight [8] civil war era letters from 1860 to 1861. At the heart of this archive are letters by and between Hendry, McCaull and Frazee family members ; a cousin, an aunt, a sister and a brother. The letters begin in February, 1860 from Enterprise, Illinois and details health, crops, the hogs in the potatoes and the schoolhouse. The next letter, still in February, is from Chicago and talks about a court trial. Another letter is from April 1860 and the author is on a trip to Paris and New York. Other letters detail railroad train travel, that Hamilton, New York is a dull place and getting a job. Another is from August 1860 and describes health, teachers, and the bad crops. The next is from September 1860, and talks about Coral, Illinois. It discusses the road traffic through town, the timber and land as well as the 80 Acre Farm for sale for $800. In October 1860, there is a move to Elgin, which is a city with a Population of 700. A business is opened and described in detail. In December 1860, a move to Aurelius, New York is discussed; home life, spinning of wool, making of banners, donations for the minister's coat, the excellent horse sleighing, the apple and nut harvests as well as the morals of the time. The last letter is from 1861, and talks about quilting for orphans, wanting to go to school and a draft dodger going to Canada. The average size of a letter is 7 X 9 inches. All letters are in good condition with some wear to the fold lines and the odd nibble. Show more