This letter was written by Anton and Eva KRESS, my great-great-great-grandparents, to Frederick and Marianne SCHOEN, my great-great-grandparents in December 1876. Anton and Eva lived at Fulda, Noble County, Ohio. Frederick and Marianne lived with Fred's parents, Johannes and Margaretha Schoen, at Hohman, Ludlow Township, Washington County, Ohio Other surnames mentioned: MILLER, JOHANNING, DIMMERLING, and HILDEBRAND. The original letter is in German, it was translated by a work colleague of mine. Notes in brackets "[]" were added by me. Question marks "(?)" were left by the translator when she was uncertain of the translation. ********** Dear Daughter Marianna, We received your two letters rather quickly each time. You complained that I didn't answer the first letter. You know that I am not always so fit with writing because my eyes are weak and my hand is shaky. I also wanted to wait on what was going on with you and yesterday on the 13th we received the mail and found out that everything was fine. We got the nice picture from Kaspar [Kress, eldest son of Anton and Eva Kress]. My loved ones pointed their fingers at you, Marianna, and your friend. The rest was still fresh and also the sugar cookies. We can see that you had a nice wedding and we wish you happiness and blessings, a long life and good fortune for your marriage. Dear child Marianna, you write us that you are all well. Mother is well and I still have a cold. Your sisters and husbands are all well. Last week Kaspar was at Gutsellen(?). He was here on Tuesday and said they had a bad winter. Mari Miller [sister-in-law of Kaspar Kress who was married to Elizabeth Catharina Miller] is again with them. Dear Marianna, you have not forgotten us yet. We have not forgotten you. Mother speaks often about you, usually about eating – what is Marianna going to eat? Then I said, what she has she will eat. The Spoffader Johanning(?) [Joseph William Johanning, b. 1793; d. Dec. 11, 1876] was buried yesterday. Your Lisso(?) is still here. Mari Miller had asked for it but did not pick it up. Dear Friedrich, The people here say you bought the wetland at the Harz for 12 hundred Thaler but to me it is unbelievable because you didn't mention it in your last letter. If the land has not been sold yet, it will be sold soon. So you can think about whether you want to start a business and the place from me – it is Dadfire(?) for 1800 Thaler, starting at 1200 Thaler. John Dimmerling [brother-in-law of Marianne, married to Elizabeth Kress] for a letter from me inviting him to your wedding. But the letter came too late, the evening of the wedding. John Dimmerling and Ernst Hildebrand were at our house and the two send greetings. Dear Marianna, I know you are waiting for a visit from us but I think it will not happen this winter. In winter old people like to sit next to the warm oven, that is their place. If I am still alive and healthy next spring I will visit you. So if you buy the land or something else please let me know so that I can plan for it. Last Saturday and Sunday it was so cold here that nobody could stand it. Now I will end my letter. Eva and I send many greetings to you and also to your father and mother. We remain your dear parents until death. Fulda, December 15, 1876 Anton and Eva Kress ********** **************************************************************************** http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/s/c/h/Richard-M-Schoen/index.html http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=rschoen63 Administrator for RUPPLE Surname List and Message Board: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/surname/r/rupple.html http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=surnames.ruppel