Transcribed letter from Elias Avery1 - Geni
Transcribed letter from Elias Avery1 (1768 – 1837) to his nephew Sidney Smith Avery2 (1800 – 1869), son of Daniel Avery3, written a Ledyard September 8, 1835 Sidney S. Avery Meadsville Halifax County Virginia Ledyard, September 8th, 1835 Dear Sidney Notwithstanding you have a number of very valuable and interesting correspondents, enough to engross all your better thoughts, still I thought perhaps a Line or two from me would not be altogether unwelcome [sic] – Seeing it comes from one that feels a strong and abiding interest in whatever matters to your wellfaer and happiness -- Especially in Regard to your health – which I was very sorry to hear was Not as good as when you left home, and that your flesh had wasted Considerably, which Loss may be felt in more ways than one, as you had just a becoming Quantity - which I hope may again be restored together with sound health – you was pleased to make some Kind Enquiries after mine and your Aunts4 – which I can say is much the same as when you was here – my Lameness is Rather more troublesome – and the Difficulty in my throat about as heretofore, Sometimes Choaked [sic] up for a day or two then get over it - I am now fast recovering from a pretty Severe attack of the of the Cholery Morbus which brought me Quite Low -- But none of those things move me, although they all have a tendency to Lead the mind to Reflect upon the future, and I believe I can say in Sincerity that the nearer Death Seams to approach the more willing I am to meete it -- Not from a thoughtless fool hardyness, But from a full Belief of Immortal Life and Blessedness in the world to Come for all the family of man -- this world is a mixture of joys and Sorrows, Each one having a portion allotted to them, I would not Complain of mine – but owing to my peculiar situation I sometimes feel to wish my self out of it -- but there is many things for which I do feel thankful to God and very greatfull to friends – for it is from the kind and affectionate attention which I Receive from Every member of the family, sweeten Life and Renders it a Blessing. God will Reward them for I cannot -- I will now proceed to give you a few of the Occurances which have taken place since you Left – as they occur to my mind -- to wit as the Lawyer would say -- yesterday your Father3, his wife5 & Abby6, Alfred7, Edwin8 and their wives, stepped on board the Steam Boat on a visiting tour Down East – by the way of New York, and Hartford to New London and Groton -- I hope they will Realize all the pleasures they anticipate – by them I had an opportunity of sending my best and kindest regards to Cousin C9 and I could have added yours – but I concluded you could do that much better your self. The Same day she that was Matilda Foote10 started for the far west – she had previously been Married a few weeks to a Gentleman by the Name of Campbell11, a merchant from Ottoway (Ottawa), Illinois – the Seperation from her friends in particular from her dear and affectionate Mother can be better felt than told – he is said to be a worthy man and much of a Gentleman and withall very pious -- which you know is no Objection in auntys family -- Indeed the piety is to be admired in all. This Day as we are told - F. E. Curtis12 & S. Marsh13 take Each Other for better for worse, and of[f] they tilt to New York – I wish them No Evil – Lydia14 & the Esqr.15 still jog along with a steady pace – true as the Needle to the pole – and I don’t know but they feel satisfied that Courtship is happyness Enough for them, But I gues however it will Not be Long before they take one Degree more towards matrimonial felicity – and I hope it may be a Bliss Compleat -- and as Lasting as Life --
There has been an unusual Number of Deaths in the village this Season – Some that perhaps you have Not heard of – Mary Burnham16, Mary Allen17, Mary Baley18, and Jonathan Richmond Junr19. a very Sudden Death -- a Greate grief to the family – and much Lamented By his acquaintance – he was a very Interesting young Man – we have Likewise had the news of the Death of your Uncle Isaac.s wife20 Notwithstanding it was Somewhat Expected by the family. Still it was an afflictive Stroke, in particular to your Uncle21, for Never was Mans heart more bound up in woman, he Loved her almost to adoration – She was to be Loved, Because she was Lovely -- I am thankfull that I have no more Deaths to Record at this time -- Your Father has bought the Swan place22 – for $4500 – with some perquisites attached – takes possession in the spring. Lewis23 Comes into the Oald Hive24. E. B.25 & H. Morgan26 Have sold the Aurora House to Wm. Wood27, for what sum I cannot say, I presume at a Heavy Discount from the East, they take Wood House in part pay -- Charles E Shepard28 has failed, or blown up as the Saying is – his personal property was sold some time since -- the Real Estate is to be sold 15th this month, I Expect the Esqr. Will be a bidder for the House and Lot, if he gets it, what Next -- Further the Deponent saith Not -The family, those Now absent, and those present are in pretty good Health – Likewise Lewises and ant Genoa29 -- Your Colt I saw a Days since for the first time since I saw you – he was in good order and Looked well -- if your patience holds out to the End of this Confusion of thoughts if Not of tonges I shall feel fully Compensated for writing it -- give my best Respects to Benjamin30 – hope to Live to see you Both -- yours with much Love and Respect Elias Avery P. S. The Oald Mill31 is almost a New one She is progressing quite fast, the Capt. has ordered a third Run of stones to be added, so then will 2 of Burn & 1 of Rock -- it is thought she will be Ready for business by the middle of Oct. Next -- and will be as fine a mill as any in the County. E.A.
Footnotes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
[Elias Avery (1768-1837)] [Sidney Smith Avery (1800-1869)] [Daniel Avery (1766-1842)] [Sarah “Sally” Barber (1773-1837) [Freelove Mitchell (1808-1841), Daniel’s third wife] [probably Abigail Avery (1817-1901) by Daniel’s second wife Abigail Smith (1780-1817)] [probably Alfred Avery (1791-1854)] [probably Edwin Avery (1795-1856)] [researching – probably Christopher…] [researching – possibly Caroline Matilda Foote (1804-unk)] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching]
20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.
[Sarah Brooks (1775-1834)] [Isaac Avery (1772-1858)] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Edwin Barber Morgan (1806-1881)] [Henry Morgan (1810-1887)] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [possibly Benjamin Franklin Avery (1801-1885), Sidney’s Brother] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching]
There has been an unusual Number of Deaths in the village this Season – Some that perhaps you have Not heard of – Mary Burnham16, Mary Allen17, Mary Baley18, and Jonathan Richmond Junr19. a very Sudden Death -- a Greate grief to the family – and much Lamented By his acquaintance – he was a very Interesting young Man – we have Likewise had the news of the Death of your Uncle Isaac.s wife20 Notwithstanding it was Somewhat Expected by the family. Still it was an afflictive Stroke, in particular to your Uncle21, for Never was Mans heart more bound up in woman, he Loved her almost to adoration – She was to be Loved, Because she was Lovely -- I am thankfull that I have no more Deaths to Record at this time -- Your Father has bought the Swan place22 – for $4500 – with some perquisites attached – takes possession in the spring. Lewis23 Comes into the Oald Hive24. E. B.25 & H. Morgan26 Have sold the Aurora House to Wm. Wood27, for what sum I cannot say, I presume at a Heavy Discount from the East, they take Wood House in part pay -- Charles E Shepard28 has failed, or blown up as the Saying is – his personal property was sold some time since -- the Real Estate is to be sold 15th this month, I Expect the Esqr. Will be a bidder for the House and Lot, if he gets it, what Next -- Further the Deponent saith Not -The family, those Now absent, and those present are in pretty good Health – Likewise Lewises and ant Genoa29 -- Your Colt I saw a Days since for the first time since I saw you – he was in good order and Looked well -- if your patience holds out to the End of this Confusion of thoughts if Not of tonges I shall feel fully Compensated for writing it -- give my best Respects to Benjamin30 – hope to Live to see you Both -- yours with much Love and Respect Elias Avery P. S. The Oald Mill31 is almost a New one She is progressing quite fast, the Capt. has ordered a third Run of stones to be added, so then will 2 of Burn & 1 of Rock -- it is thought she will be Ready for business by the middle of Oct. Next -- and will be as fine a mill as any in the County. E.A.
Footnotes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
[Elias Avery (1768-1837)] [Sidney Smith Avery (1800-1869)] [Daniel Avery (1766-1842)] [Sarah “Sally” Barber (1773-1837) [Freelove Mitchell (1808-1841), Daniel’s third wife] [probably Abigail Avery (1817-1901) by Daniel’s second wife Abigail Smith (1780-1817)] [probably Alfred Avery (1791-1854)] [probably Edwin Avery (1795-1856)] [researching – probably Christopher…] [researching – possibly Caroline Matilda Foote (1804-unk)] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching]
20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.
[Sarah Brooks (1775-1834)] [Isaac Avery (1772-1858)] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Edwin Barber Morgan (1806-1881)] [Henry Morgan (1810-1887)] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching] [possibly Benjamin Franklin Avery (1801-1885), Sidney’s Brother] [Unknown / researching] [Unknown / researching]
