Recently while searching my own line another fellow genealogist brought to my attention this group of letters which are written between Jan 3, 1852 & Nov 10, 1869. I will be posting over the next week each of the letters. They are a wealth of names, vital records, and just general everyday life. If you wish to see the originals they can be found at the Historical Society of the Town of Chester in Chestertown. Hopefully everyone enjoys them. The original spelling has been kept intact. Occasionally I'll reprint the introduction and some background. March 20, 1861 I now seat myself to let you know how we got home from your place. When we got out in the edge of the woods there Tomy was loading logs and there I had a fare view of him and I looked with all my eyes. We found the sleighing rather better when we came out than when we went in. I didn't have to get out of the cutter but once coming out. We didn't stop to Gateses when we got there. The wind blew like Sam Hill until we got to Minerva Corners. There we took dinner. We found pretty hard grinding before we got home you had better believe. They go with wagons mostly now. We went to that exhibition I told you about. We had fine times. The church was crowded full of people as it could be. Vene and Sarah and Mary was there. Vene went home with Sarah and left Mary to go home alone. That shows which he thinks the most of. There has been a great wedding in our place lately. Uri Baker is married to that old hag of a Jones woman that has been living here this winter and his other wife is going to raise a rumpus. Willie has been cross as a bear since I come from there but he is better now. ls Uncle Sam Goodman is dead . Nancy and Thomas was here yesterday . Aunt Peasy Baker is here today. April 13, Have not had a chance to send my letter to the office. Father is going so I will improve the opportunity. We have made 150 pounds of sugar this spring. Young John Varnum was buried yesterday. Sarah Jane Middleton is very sick and Harriet Watson is very sick and is not expected to live. She has got a girl. I guess Nat’s folks has got something for there was a great deal of stir there yesterday. Lyman and Delia has just come here. They say Mother has been sick ever since she was here last week. Steve has gone a fishing today over at Brant Lake , he and Lorenzo Tripp. May 4, 1862 We are all well but not in mind, for we feel that we have bereft of a near and dear sister, but thanks to God for that blest assurance that she shall reign on high. Little did we think that it was the last time that we should on earth all meet again the last time you and she met at our house last winter. Is it possible that we shall see her face no more on earth? But let us strive to meet her in heaven . Let us travel that straight and narrow path that leads us to eternity, so that we can feel as she did that Jesus was ready to receive us. Death is certain but life is uncertain. Josephus Coon has a very sick child with the scarlet fever. It cannot live many days. Malry Tripp is very sick. Elisha Baxtor’s little boy is dead. Almira Middleton is married to Warren Barton, Mary Barton's brother. Father has been over here today. They are all well. Mother Newbery's arm had got so she can use it very well doing light work. She has got a girl here to help her this summer. It is Mary Jackson, the girl that used to live here. She has been here some six weeks. She is a very good girl. William I. Middleton's folks has moved up on the Uncle Dave Cooper place. Ben Baker is going on William Roberts place, a little farther off. It is very warm and pleasant. Willie plays outdoors all of the time. He talks everything most. You must try to come out this summer and stay a month