Letter No. 2 is written three years later, Harriet Dewey and Asher Penney have married but are still living in NY, haven't moved to WI yet. This letter is written to his sister, Harriet and her new husband Asher by Capt. John M. Dewey, a Great Lakes sailor in his 30s. John dies young, for reasons we do not know at this writing. Newhartford - Aug 2nd, 1850 My Dear Brother and Sister: I humbly and sincerely ask your pardon for I have neglected writing to you for so long and must explain the reason for so doing. I must first plead that I hadnt much time for the driver and myself had to run the boat alone the most of the time and I havent been very well since I saw you last but I think I shall be well before long for I am doctoring myself now. I must say I got home the next day after I saw you and walked all the way but about 8 miles. But I must tell you that last Sunday I saw your brother Eber [Penney] at your uncles on Babcock Hill and he appeared to be very pleased to see me and to hear that Asher and Harriet were enjoying themselves very much. And would like to know about what time you was agoing to get out here. And he would meet you at Bens for he wants to see you very much. And told me to tell Ash he throwed everything in the way. Zapher and Ester have gone to Albany now but they will get back to Utica in about 2 weeks and would be very glad to see you. Tell Mother that father says he is coming home next week - that is if you see her. I hope that you write to me as soon as you get this (and I) will make calculations on seeing you. Please excuse all bad writing and spelling My Pen is poor, My ink is bad and iff you dont lik it I shel be vary sade. So godd buy till I can talk and Cry. (to) Mr. Asher Penny and Harriet A. Penny (from) Mr. Capt John M. Dewey [ed. note - I thought I would leave the last few lines exactly as they were written to illustrate the difficulties in transcribing these letters when the writing is faded or paper is torn]