This letter was written several years be fore the Sanburns came to the county, but I thought it interesting anyway. The recipient, John Gould Sanburn, played an active role in the early days of the county and supposedly had a store in the log cabin that now sits next to the old courthouse in Knoxville. His brother Nathaniel, who wrote the letter, settled in Maquon and died in 1867. Ebay is a wonderful thing! Front of Stampless Folded Letter: Vandalia [IL] Sep 25 Addressed to: John G. Sanburn Canandaigua Ontario County N York Contents: Vandalia Sep 23d 1821 Dear Brother I received your letter a few days since stating the difficulty of letting my sheep - I am totally unable to direct what to be done with them if they have not yet been disposed of. I hope however they have already been disposed of before now if not I think they had better be for I feel certain that it will be a lofs instead of gain to keep them and as I before said I do not wish them leased again but had rather have them sacrificed so that I can get the money for them - I suppose they would bring $1 a head this time of year at any rate in cash and if so I had rather have it for I want them off my hands and I want the avails of them in this country - I wish they were here they would be worth 4 or $5 a head but I suppose they cannot be sent and if they could they would probably all be lost - I think my brother that I wrote the last letter under the influence of the hiho so do not regard it - I do really wish you would come here and settle down on a farm and bring what plunder y! ou can - by the death of Mr Beck my salary is cut off to a very low sum therefore I must do as well as Ican - my prospects are rather good yet - I think I _ _ _ _ _ [paper torn in crease] or as to buy 80 acres more of land and if so you are welcome to buy it of me and pay when you can One lot I must and shall have always as a domain resort for in case I get married (the which I shall surely do) it is indespensible to have a farm that I can move to in case it might be expedient to quit public life [end page one] perhaps you may think it strange that I should not describe and relate to you the whole story of my courtship and the name of my intended but I will promise to do all this the first leisure moment I can get for it will take some time all I will say about it is I really wish you could all see her and be aquainted with her and I think you would be pleased with my choice - as to her name it is Madamoiselle Archange Dubreille (french) which is more than I can translate into english but if there was an L to her name it would read Archangel which you all know is something superior Barney wrote me that my Dear Mother is very uneasy about it and that it has caused her many tears expecting it may prevent my return to my native village and to see those friends so dear how that may be I don't know but I shall always remember them I would gladly revisit the scenes of my childhood but it would be folly at present to think of it and my thoughts are more on favour of enjoying life here than in visiting absent friends - why should I make myself miserable without a cause - I have been a long time absent from my earthly friends and those of kin but I have had a friend in him who is a friend of sinners had it not been for his support I should have sunk long ago in despair he has been my staff my supporter comforter and friend though I have not merited his mercy still it has been continually extended towards me and I hope he will never leave nor forsake me and may he be mercifull unto all my Dear Brothers and sisters as he has been to me and bring them to a deep re! pentence for sin and faith in the redeemer - give my love to my dear Mother and remember me to all friends brothers sisters write often. do yours sincerely N Sanburn --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage!