Recently while searching my own line another fellow genealogist, Jean, 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 few weeks 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 Jan 26, 1856 I will tell you what the reason was that I did not wright to you because Wesley went in there sooner than I expected and I did not have time to wright. I wish you had come out here when Wesley did. I have been to Schroon this fall. We had fine times. Mother is making pies. Orville is out with Lyman and Delia on the stopp playing. Uncle Sam Hill has bought a farm in Queensbury and moved there. I have got a new dress and am goin have it made long. March 10, 1856 I shall go up there this spring if I get a chance. I should go with Uncle Rufus if he was going with a horse and cutter. Vileta Baker is dead. She had the croup. Henrietta Duel is married to Albert Tibits. Abigail HIll is married too but I don't know who to. I am working another pair of panlets. We have had lots of snow here this winter and spring. If I don't come this spring I don't come atall for in the summer school keeps.I have just got three new dresses. Grandmother and Grandfather was here yesterday. She wanted to see you letter and I read her part of it. Father has bought him a yoke of oxen this spring and he is drawing his bark. Mother is making Clarissa's dress. Orville is eating cake. Lyman and Delia is gone down to cut open the water hole. June 13, 1856 I am to school now. Sarah Jane Middleton teaches here. There has been three deaths here lately Melvina Randell, Mr Wells and Lucinda Burch, and her baby. I presume you have seen the baby.It was 2 years old. Mary has been down to your house and taken up your flowers. She has got your tiger lilies and your sweet williams. Lorina and Clarissa and I went to Bolton last week. I saw the steamboat close to it. We had quite a good visit. Clarissa and Hannah and Caroline all sends their respects to you. David Robles is dead. Uncle Noel come down yesterday aand carried Grandmother Bartlett back home with him. Sept. 16 Francis came here this morning and said you told him to tell me to write to you. I had a letter wrote and was waiting for Father to go to the postoffice. He said that Wesley is coming out here in a fortnight after me. I told mother I could not wait that long now that I know I am goin. Mary has been to Caldwell since you was here and stayed a fortnight . I have pierced my ears but have not got any ear rings. Uncle Rufe has bought him a horse of Joseph Coon, and I asked him if he could not go now and he said he could not for he has so much to do. Sept. 24, 1856 Sunday. Seneca brought your letter from the postoffice yesterday but I did not get it till after dark. I was a berrying. I got 6 quarts. They are thick. Luke goes most every day with a 10 quart and a 5 quart pail and Amos goes and carries them to market the next morning before other folk are up. I can't come up unless Wesley comes out for Uncle Rufe does not have time. Mother said that if the colts was broke that he should go and carry me up there but they are not. Father bought the George Green colts. The folk from Gilford, Vt. has been up and they started for home day before yesterday. Tell Wesley to come along for if he don't I can't come. We have made two barrels of pickles. School has commenced. Mercy Ann Cobb teaches. I have not been any. I don't know as I shall go. Clarissa goes and she has carried all the writing paper off allmost. There has been an association in Horicon. I went one day. Betsey Ann Wells was here day before yesterday. There has been four Irishmen here today to buy some pork. Father has bought a table spread and a stand spread since you was here. Tell Wesley I shall expect him out. Nov. 1856 I got home safe. We got out to Gates 15 minutes past 10 o'clock,and then got home half past 3. Just as we got to Uncle Abels it began to rain and blow. I asked mother if I might go up there this winter and work and she said that I might. Betsy Ann wants to work out this winter . Tell your mother I would like to work if she wants me and I can come any time. Laurinda is going to work to Albert Russells or to Enley Watters. Uncle Baronet has bought Samuel Middleton's farm. He gave $700 and Samuel gave$100 of it to the baby for its name. Tell William Sherman that I would like to see him and all the rest of the hands. Seneca is going to Chester Academy to school this winter. Write whether your mother wants me