Greetings, I have come across the following letter from Aaron Foster to his brother [Newman?] Foster, who were sons of my ancestor John J. Foster who died in McDonough Co., IL, apparently in 1861. I believe my copy of this letter came from the estate file for John J. Foster--if I remember correctly. The letter mentions other individuals [likely McDonough Co. residents at one time, therefore I include it here]. The letter is dated "Desember" 5, 1863. It may have been sent from McDonough Co., IL from Linn Co., KS, where Aaron and family appear in the 1870 census. Aaron married Sarah Beebe in 1848 in McDonough Co. [I've capitalized people's names.] =========== [pages 1 &2] Moste affectionate Brother it is with pleasure that imbraise the presant oportunity to wright to you to let you now that i am well At this time & hope those few lynges may find you awl well iresivd a fu lines from you the 3 of Desember & found 5 dolars and 5 cts in closed in the saime as Being the amount dew me from said as stait and if the es state is nott worth more than $40 & 40 cts it is not Worth seeing ouf and i think you hav a hard Bargin So it wil nott pay to wrigh Receips and sine them so i send you Back the 5 dolrs & 5 cts for if i dont git more than that sum i dont want the Naime of swindling the airs out of thare geste rits now. i want you to right if father maid a will and if he did send me a copy of it and it will save me of som truble now i hav som Bisiness to setl up with JOHN T[WE?]DWELL and i wil Cum in some time and se you awl once more. So no more at this time right as soon at this cums tohand. From AARON FOSTER to N FOSTER [page 3]In Refference to JOHN M. [V/W?]ILSON i heard from him 3 weeks a go and he is stil living in Jasper and is nott able to move for he is a foot having awl of his property taken from him. JOHN P. BEBEE is living In Kansas in Jonson Co Laines Field is his post office a dress. JAMES VENABLE is Ded he got kiled in arkinssaw By the indians and they scelped Him ================ I hope the above is helpful to someone's research. Best wishes, Doug Rev. Dr. Doug Showalter's Email and Web sites: dougshow@cape.com [home] minister@cape.com [church] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FORGIVENESS FORUM: http://www.vsg.cape.com/~dougshow/index.html THE EXCHANGE FOR SERMON AND WORSHIP IDEAS: http://www.vsg.cape.com/~dougshow/second-site/index.html DOUG'S RESEARCH PAGES (Genealogy): http://www.vsg.cape.com/~dougshow/fourth-site/index.html FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF FALMOUTH: http://www.vsg.cape.com/~1congfal/index.html BARNSTABLE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: http://www.vsi.cape.com/~barnucc/index.html