Hello: 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 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. The Rev Baker and wife went into the woods above Minerva to log for August Sherman. Juliette married Wesley Rice in 1864. Jan 3, 1852 I wish you had come out with Wesley and Mr. Walker. I wish you had been here New Year's. We had a fine time. Mr. Washburn and Nancy Ann and George and Sarah Jane were all up here. We all went up to see Mrs. Hare then we went up to Pottersville. I will tell you who went. Mr. Washburn and Nancy, George and Sarah, Fred and Sarah Jane Middleton, Vane and Lydia, and Sophia Pritchard and I, among the rest. New Years night they stayed here. They started for home about 3 O'clock in the afternoon yesterday. Come out this winter. June 23, 1852 Your folks say you can come out with your Uncle Ely. You must come when he does. You wanted to know where I am going on the 4th. I guess I will go to the hogpen. I don't know anywhere else to go. Mother and your mother has gone to Chester today. I have a compliment for you. Sam Pritchard wanted to know if you was coming out this summer. I told him I did not know. He said Julia was a clever girl. He liked her first rate. I suppose Betsy Ann is going up home with your folks when they go. I do not go to school this summer so when you come out we can visit. I have not been to a curcus lately, have you? Mr. Prindle is having a singing school to Horicon Church now every Tuesday and Friday evening. I have been two nights. I saw Flavilla Wells the other day.Come out when Betsy Ann comes back and stay 4 or 5 weeks and we will have rite old times again. I guess Vene has hired a horse and wagon to go to the Fourth with, so I guess you can go to the fourth. Todd Easton