Dear "Jeffer" Listers: The following is a series of letters written from the members of the Penney and Dewey families of Jefferson County to their children, Asher Penney and Harriet Dewey Penney who have moved to Waupaca Wisconsin. Many of these letters tell about how things were in Jefferson county in the 1850's and talk about other families which maybe of interest to other searchers. The letters or course, being very old, were originally transcribed some years ago. I came into possession of them via a cousin who inherited them from his mother. I have been verifying the original transcriptions and hopefully correcting or improving upon the text when possible. I am not a professional genealogist nor do I live anywhere near Jefferson County NY so if you have any questions about the letters please consider that before responding. All comments are welcome. Information on the Penney/Penny family (it is one and the same) is ernestly solicited. Letter one is written within Jefferson County by a younger sister to her older sibling upon learning that the older one is considering marriage to one Mr. Asher Penney. (transcription with editors notes, follows:) This is the first of a series of letters that were written between the Deweys and Penneys of Jefferson County to their son and daughter who have moved to the frontier “up in” Wisconsin. The opening letter is written between sisters before the older marries and moves out west. This letter was written by Esther Almira Dewey, a teenager to her older sister Harriet A. Dewey, children of Barzilla Jr. and Harriet (McKee) Dewey. (see the Life and Times of Admiral George Dewey and the History of the Dewey Family in America for more detail) The date or location are a bit uncertain, however the year is clear. Wales [maybe Water] the 9th, 1847 Dear Sister: I received your letter with much pleasure and was glad to hear that Harrys children was well but was sorry to hear that Father had been very sick and I hope that he has got well now but if he has not I should like to from him and will you please to write to me if he is not well and let me know how he is. I am very well now and am enjoying myself very well. Now tell mother that I think I will stay here all summer if she don’t want to help her. Tell Mercy that I am much obliged to her for writing to me. Tell her I don’t like to her from her so often. I suppose you will want those shoes I was going to get for you very soon being that you have had an offer of marriage for I suppose of course that you took up with the offer did you not? If you did I should like to see the knot tied very much and if you did will you please let me know when it is a going to be and I will if possible get the shoes to you but you must give me time to get them and bring them to you. Give my respects to all of my friends and tell the children that I should like to see them very much and I should like to see you - you had better believe it too. From your affectionate sister Ester A. Dewey to Harriet A. Dewey My pen is poor my ink is good and I would write better if I could - P.S. If you write again please don’t write so much for it took me a great while to read it. Please to write soon. [editor note: Harriet Dewey did go on to marry Asher Penney in 184?, (otherwise I might not be here writing this) the first of at least three marriages between Deweys and Penneys]