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. Occasionally I'll reprint the introduction and some background. Introduction: These letters are copies of letters sent to Juliette Baker from Julia Hill. It sounds like the girls were cousins. Juliette was the daughter of Thomas Baker of Minerva, Essex, NY. He was born in 1809 and married Eunice Harris, born in Athol, Warren, NY. He was a Wesleyan Methodist minister, and preached in the Darrowsville Church in Chestertown, NY. It is irony to find this, as I have been one of the people trying to preserve the church, now torn down. The only thing saved was the bell. The Rev Baker and wife went into the woods above Minerva to log for August Sherman. Juliette married Wesley Rice in 1864 Julia and Steven Newbery, her parents, Phebe and Sidney Hill, the two Willies,(4 yr. 3 mo.& 3 mo.8 da.), Julia's sister, Clarissa, and more who are mentioned in these letters are buried in the Starbuckville Cem. on Starbuck Hill Rd. in Chestertown. You can also find both families in the 1850 Warrensburg Census only two houses from each other. The girls are both 8 in that census. Hopefully I can get it online soon. No date Uncle Rufus has got a fiddle. I went yesterday and got 4 qt. of berries. I am making me a pair of garters. Mother has got her a new bonnet this summer. It cost $3.25. Grandmother went to Bolton yesterday and got back today. I have just been working me a shimy. Mary Ann Hilkings came to school yesterday a few moments and Sarah Jane dismissed the school before noon and went home. Be sure and come out the 4th. I shall expect you. We have had 2 swarms of bees come out. Father hived them and the next day they came out again and the next day they came out and went off. I study arithmetic and grammar. April 15, 1857 Mother is quilting. Aunt Charlotte Middleton was up here yesterday. Mr. Fosmers baby got scalded last week. and they do not expect it will live. One of Sam Hases boys is going to be buried today. I was at Uncle Abels when your father was here. If you will come out here I will learn you to crochet collars. I have knit five. I am going to learn to knit tidies when Nancy Ann comes up. Hol has took the Elisha Randle farm to work this summer and left Seneca to work this farm. Sept. 1857 School is out this week. Camp meeting begins the 9th. I suppose to Warrensburgh. I wish you was here to go. I think I shall go. I went berrying today and got 5 qts. There is going to be a grove meeting up to the Towner place next Sat. and Sun. and there is going to be an association at Chester Wed. William Middleton was up to Hols last night and Mary did not go to the pond till this morning. Betsy Ann and Almira was here today. Nov. 15, 1857 I must tell you they have got a singing school started down the river to the Duel school house. Elisha Baxter is the singing master. It is every Sunday evening. I guess I shall go. Olive is going to attend. I suppose you want to know who is Olive's beau. I will tell you. Fred Smith goes there now. Mother and Father has gone to Horicon to meeting today. Laury Noble is married to a preacher by the name of Ira Stacy from Bolton. Sarah Jane Holley has got home and Olive Jane Mead is to Asa Meads now. They have got a girl there. Mother says Uncle Rufus is going up to Uncle Abel Prouty's tonight. Lisha Baxter is here to go to singing school. Dec. 29 , 1857 Chester. I must tell you about Christmas. I stayed at home all day but I went and took a ride Christmas evening. I don't but you have lost Vene, but I guess not. He has been home with Olive 2 or 3 times. James Warren Middleton has been home with her once and Fred has too. She is not thought much of out here. Leander Sherman goes home with Almira Middleton. Edward Pratt waits upon Betsy Ann Middleton. Mary Prouty has been down there 4 or 5 times and comes home alone just as I do. You know singing school has 10 nights more yet. Dec 23, 1857 I received your letter yesterday just as I got ready to go to meeting down the river. I read it on the way. There was a singing school last night. I was there. The house was as full as it could be. Wesley was there. He went home with Almira Middleton. You bother him about it for me. You wanted to know how they make their dresses out here. They make cape waist now. You asked me a question about Steven Newbery that I cannot answer. I am at school now and it is most time that I am getting my spelling lesson. I have got me a singing book