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. Julia and Juliette are turning 18 about the time of these letters. Chester, March 28, 1859 (Marriage) We are all well at present but Steve complaines of a headache. Yesterday we all went up to quarlerly meeting. We had a very good time but it was muddy. Betsy Ann Wells was married yesterday to William Middleton and Tom Chaddock was married to a German girl, so I heard. I was disappointed cause you and Wesley did not come out. You and Wesley are the only ones I asked to the wedding. Prindle married us.. He come up Sunday night . The ceremony was pronounced about 7 o'clock in the evening. He folks did not happen to find it out nor anybody else. I went over to father Newberys Monday in the afternoon and stayed till Thursday. Nancy nor Thomas never spoke to me while I was there nor she did not speak to Betsy while I was there. You must come out and live with me as we talked last summer when I was there. You and Wesley was going to live with me if I got married first. Come and make a good long visit. I shall expect you out here. I heard you said you had lost your best friend you had in the world but need not think so, for I think just as much of you as I ever did. Aug. 28, 1859 I have been spinning but I finished it three weeks ago. Then berries were ripe and I had so much knitting to do that I have not had much time to write. I wish you much joy with your New Yorkers. Give my love to Mrs. Butler and all inquiring friends. Steve and I have picked most 3 bushels of blackberries and they are not near gone. George Duel is married to Emy Jane Pratt. Steve is building a stoop. Mrs. Wells is very sick and is not expected to live from one days end to another. Betsy Ann has been with her mother through her illness for a long time but now has gone back to Warrensburgh with William. Mrs Wells has not consented for William to go in the house. She says that she does not want him to look upon her corpse after she is dead. Betsy Ann says that if William can't stay there, she can't, so she has left her mother and gone with W. Isn't that bad for a mother who is just ready to sink into her grace. Nancy remains as kind and affectionate as ever. She and Thomas has not either one of them spoken to me. Martha Middleton and Clarissa was over here the other day. It is very sickly about Chester. Most all that is not sick is dead. Old Mrs. Faris and Wesley Faris is dead. Laurinda has come back from Bolton. She and Susan Smith was over here the other day. Mary Prouty is teaching Hayesburgh. Mary is going all about doing good. Don't you wish you was a school mam. Cynthia Fish has a baby, so they say. Your special friend, Julia Newbery. Chester, May 4, 1859 Jeanette Middleton is very sick. She has not been very well this spring. She was taken crazy last Friday. The first they knew anything about it, a peddler stopped there and she began to talk everything. She said his name was Wesley Rice (he couldn't fool her). They sent for the doctor and he thought she couldn't live long. There is two doctors every day, Dr. Malry and Dr. Serrette. She has not been herself since she was taken. The house is full all the time. It takes four or five all the time night and day. She tears everybody's clothes all to pieces, if they would let her. They could not keep anything on her till they made her a loose dress out of cotton cloth and bound it at the neck so she could not tear it. She teases for the shears or a knife to cut it off. Grandmother was there the other day and she was stark naked and she went so all day. They do not think she will live long. They have sent word to all her relation, to the falls and all around. Father is going to sit up there tonight. Lucy Palmer teaches school here this summer. Mary Prouty teaches school up to the pond. Julia Hill