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. There will be 12 parts. I will post them all on the USGenWeb site, for Warren Co. Feb. 26, 1865 The snow is very deep out here. It is almost impossible to move around. We are all at home. We moved back a month ago. Steve got done work up there so we come back home. I suppose you have heard that your Uncle Jep Baker is dead. He died the 8th day of Jan. Jessie Tripp is dead and his daughter, Lansing Thurston's wife, is dead and two of Frank Barretts children and several others that lived about here, that you are not acquainted with. Mary Maholand is dead. Tell your mother that Mrs Flansburgh has got a boy, one worth having. It weighed 11 pounds. Mr. Flansburgh has jammed his fingers very bad. They thought he would have to have two of them taken off. I have not heard whether he did or not. He was rolling some logs. Mr. Foster is going to preach on this circuit another year. Leander Bartlett and his wife is at home. Jane Ann Swan has got a boy and Welthy Prichard has got a girl and George Barrett's wife has got a boy and Minerva Jane Holley ,it used to be has got a boy. Mary Ann Taylor is sick with a sore throat. Samy Taylor has got home. He looks better than he used to. He is as fat as a bear. Mother has got her new teeth. She likes them very much and looks much better with them. There is a man here over Sunday who is selling rights for receit. Steve bought one. Tell Uncle Rufe we begin to think he is going to stay up there till he is of age. I wish you was here for we have a few apples. We opened the hole but they had rotted very bad. Tell your mother and Janey I would like to see them. Chester Feb. 2, 1866 I have so much to do that I dont have much time to write. We have six men here. We are all well but Steve. He coughs some yet but has got so he works. Father is a great deal better but not so he does anything yet. Uncle Than Roberts is dead. Mr. Foster is holding a protracted meeting down to the church. It commenced last night. Mr. Flagler has a conation next Wed. night. I wish you was here to go. Elder Cobb had one at the Horicon last night. Ida Duel is dead. Tell Uncle Rufe that Hattie Warner is married. One of John Woods little boys is sick of the lung fever. Gus and Mary Ann Mosier is up from the falls. I suppose you have heard that Ella Weatherhead, it used to be, is dead. Delia was over here last week and stayed most all week. Thomas has commenced selling goods in his store. Chancy Stanard is partner with him. Nancy is in her glory I expect. Well I am willing. Myron Tripp has bought a store at Chester,the old Smith store and is going to keep a hardward store. George Young is married.