I've "rescued" an old letter which was written by John HAVER Jr. of New York City, New York to Thomas C. AMORY Jr. in Boston, Massachusetts. The letter is dated Dec 21st 1842 and was postmarked December 24th 1842. Based on limited research I was able to locate the following information regarding these two men and their families: Thomas C. AMORY b. 16 Oct 1812 in Boston, MA and d. 20 Apr 1889 in Boston, MA, he was the son of Jonathan AMORY and Mehetable SULLIVAN Census records provide the following information: 1860 census of Boston, MA: Thomas C. AMORY, age 46, a Lawyer, born MA Rebecca AMORY, age 48, born MA Isabella AMORY, age 44, born MA + three servants 1860 census of New York City, NY: John A. HAVER, age 67, born NY Phebe I. HAVER, age 63, born NY Isaac DANIELS, age 106, born NY (don't know that I believe that age?) 1870 census of Boston, MA: Thomas C. AMORY, age 54, a Lawyer, born MA Rebecca A. AMORY, age 55, Keeping House, born MA Isabella L. AMORY, age 56, no occupation, born MA 1880 census of Boston, MA: Thomas C. AMORY, age 69, born MA, a Lawyer, parents born MA/ME Rebecca A. AMORY, sister, age 68, born MA, Housekeeping, parents born MA/ME Isabella L. AMORY, sister, age 62, born MA, at Home, parents born MA/ME + three servants I am hoping to locate someone from the family so that this wonderful old letter can be returned to their care. If you are a member of one of these families, or know someone who might be, please contact me. Thanks, Shelley The contents of the letter are as follows: On outside of folded letter: December 24th 1842 Mr. Thomas C. AMORY Jr. Care of Misters LOHIER & WELCH, Court Street, Boston, Mass Inside letter: New York, December 21st 1842 Dear Tom: I recd the “teeth brushes” and am much obliged to you for sending them, the assortment gives satisfaction. I have carried your letter which accompanied them about in my pocket hoping to get an opportunity to answer it either at the office or at home till it is now nearly worn out. My not having answered it is (or should be) sufficient proof that I have not been able. This will reach you in time to convey to you my best wishes for a happy return of the Christmas Holidays and the compliments of the season. My brother has sailed from Portsmouth at last although he spent rather more than a week there enjoying himself much if I may judge from a few lines I received from him while there. He was quite pleased with Miss RICHARDS with whom he had a delightful sleigh ride in a single horse sleigh. Langdon mentioned his intrusion upon you at an unseasonable hour and desired me to make any apology which might be necessary to you. You request me to make the requisite apology when you may consider the affair amicably settled and all proper excuses made and received. You ask who is Mr. John BARD? Miss Elizabeth DEMINDT? Mr. Andrew J. DOWNING? Mr. John BARD is a very stylish and showily dressed young man; very conspicuous is his appearance who is pronounced by more who have known him as a fool. Miss DEMINDT was a schoolmate of my sister’s some few years since, and is occasionally seen at our church. I have only learned this by inquiries as I know nothing of the young lady personally not even know her by sight. Mr. DOWNING I never heard of and my inquiries have been unsuccessful. There is Mr. DOWNING the author of “Landscape Gardening” who lives up the North River and has a very handsome place. He may have a son rejoicing in the name of Andrew J. There is also Mr. DOWNING a respectable gentleman of color who is celebrated for this pickled oysters, he may have had a son. There are also Mr. DOWNING the Whitewasher and the beatable Jack DOWNING – I am ignorant of the various ramifications of these families. Why do you wish to know? I am obliged to you for informing me of the death of Mr. BLOWERS. I did not see it in any paper. Perhaps because I never see any papers but the two taken at Father’s Store, The Herald taken at our office and the Portsmouth Journal which is sent weekly by Grandfather. Mr. GREEN I believe succeeds Mr. BLOWERS. Will you enlighten me on the subject of snow geese I confess I never heard of them and on telling one of my sporting acquaintances of the singular fact that two were killed the Newburyport I was answered by the question what the devil are snow geese? Were they the first ever killed in your state? Where do they inhabit? Have the Harvard Nat’l Hist. Soc been informed of the circumstance. When did Julia KING die? Where? What are the parties’ alas of her decease? Was George PARKS her physician? How did the Ball roll off at Parks? Who of my acquaintances were there? I suppose that thee was no scarcity of beaus probably some arrows shot. Did the belles make much noise? The parties are very plenty here, two or there every night I go to none however. My time is all occupied and I accomplish nothing. What are the particulars of Graft’s affairs due concur or du corps? Were you at Charlotte PHIPPS Wedding? How did she appear and how does she now look? Any worse for the etc. She was if I remember rightly rather small but looked as though she might do a thing or two. Has she expressed any opinion of the advantages or delights of the wedded state? Has she married at her Mother’s? If so what jokes must have been cracked at her expense and at Walttall’s neat day, their appearance anticipated. You have never given me any particulars of Orne’s death; not mentioned what notice the class took of it. I should like to know about it. Has Bill ROLLINS of Boston ever given a class supper? I do not remember having heard of it. If he ever gave any I should like to know about it. The only topic of conversation here is the sad story of the meeting on board the Somers. There seems to be only on opinion here, and that of approval. You will of course think the opposite. But I am glad that agreed and if you chose to call it do cruel course was pursued. An officer commanding a ship must be vested with supreme authority. If Lieutenant MCKENSIE is not sustained in the course he has pursued, there will be an end to all discipline and subordination in the Navy. The fact that the number of mutineers was double that of the disaffected is sufficient proof to my mind that a severe course was the only one which could be pursued. I am impatient to hear all the facts of the case from head quarters and if they do not substantiate more already promulgated I am open to conviction and shall most probably change my view of the case. I can easily imagine Mrs. D’JANTVILLE the belle of Boston. Her beauty and fascinating manners apart from the interesting story of her wrongs enlist the public on her side. I saw her once in New York and her image is as present to my minds eye as her person could be to my bodily eye. How comes on the law? What have you been doing lately in the Legal Line? Any practice? I am as busy as I can be at the office from Nine am till 3 pm and Tuesday and Friday evenings for examination. The days are so short now I can do nothing before I go to the office in the morning. We walk to the office 2 miles consumes ¾ of an hour, I have marketing to do in the morning. I do not get back from the office till nearly 4 PM and by the time dinner is finished it is dark. I have then nothing but a long evening in which to read, write, and study deducting Sunday evenings when I am at church and Tuesday and Friday when at the office and the surplus of my time is very small. I am very glad to hear that your brother had quite recovered from his accident. My best respects to your Father & Mother. My compliments to your Sister and remember me to your brothers. I was sorry not to see your sister when she passed through NY City. You will soon have a new Episcopal Priest among you. Your Bishop I believe he is to be. You must write me how you like him, he is a great favorite here and it seems unfair not now just as the people have built him a new church and a new parsonage he should leave them. I leave off as I began wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Yours Truly, John HAVER Jr.