John D. and Julia Weld correspondence to Aaron and Betsey Aldrich
Entry/Object ID
2000.FIC.034
Scope and Content
This is a four page letter concerning conditions on the farm and the difficulties relating to travel to Ohio. There appears to be a considerable shortage of money which restricts his options. In addition, Julia Weld writes of her discontent with the living arrangements - there are three families living in the house. She states they get along - but it is inconvenient. Further she writes of a number of women of their mutual acquaintance.
Transcription:
Dear Brother, Smithfield Feby 8th, 1840
I have the satisfaction to inform you
that we are all enjoying a comfortable state of
health at this time, and am fondly hoping these
few lines will find you and yours enjoying the
same great blessing. Your first enquiry will probably
be are you coming to Ohio this spring with your
family that is a question which I have been trying
to solve in my own mind for some months past
but as yet I am unable to determine for the following
reasons 1st I have a little money due me this spring
which I expect will be impossible for me to collect
on account of the scarcity of money. 2nd. we have a
share in this farm which is not sold nor do I
see the probability of selling it at this time and getting
anything near what it is really worth Andrew Winsor
did have the generosity to tell Mr. Stone he would give
$500. for our share which contains 25 acres of good
land on which I kept a flock of sheep the last season
that produced me lambs and wool enough to bring me
$125. besides cutting three loads of hay, and some corn
the orchard I got nothing from, which contains between
three and four hundred appletrees. I have cut the wood
mostly from our share for which I expected to
have taken some money this Winter but the great
scarcity of money and the almost entire prostration of
all kinds of business in this section of the country
make it almost impossible to get any money for wood
I have about forty cords yet on hand which will
be third reason I shall align for not being able to get
there this spring, but should anything favorable transpire
in a pecuniary way I think we should make an effort
to fetch there in the course of the ensuing summer or fall
if we come I think we shall come by land for the way
they have got to destroying people's lives aboard of the
steam boats is a caution. What hay there is on my lot if it
will sell at a fair price this Spring I wish you to sell
it A. Winsor Jr. seemed to think that Joseph Brown
would be considerable to winter his stock if he wants
some of it and will give a fair price let him have it and
since his rent there is about $40 due him from this Estate
PG. 2
The next question is what to do done with my farm the next
season under existing circumstances.- This is a question
I am unable to answer.- But this much permit me to say I
want you should do the best with it you can and take
pay for your trouble from the avails of the land
Should we be able to get there next fall I should like
to have some corn and potatoes grown and some condition
but A. Winsor says it was difficult letting land to plant it
that place to the halves If we let it grow to grass the next
question is who will cut and make the hay. Soon as
you receive this I wish you to write me and let me
know what can be done and what will be best
way to do. Any advice that you see fit to give will be
thankfully received. - In regard to bringing for auction
whether best to bring or sell what Time in the season we
shall be likely to find the best traveling on the Lake
road. Should I not be able to raise money so as to
be able to move this season I think it probable I
should be our there myself before haying
Mr. Stone does not get through settling his
account yet with Holden it is lately all joined
until may Sarah Stone was married this fourth
day of Jany to Mr. Ide of Seekonk went right
away to keeping house. Henry A. Stone is in a
Grocery in Prov. Winsor is with him Lemuel is
at hom this winter is calculating to find work
on some rail road this spring had forty dollars
per month last season on the road from Worcester
to Springfield Mas. By winter of the power that you
sent Mr. Stone he signed the bond of indemnifi-
cation but did nothing farther about settling
the acct. betwixt you and me he thought we had
better settle when I saw you as I figured it what
he signed the bond I made a balance of three
dollars or something over in my favor but had
recollected since that there is a part of the last dividend
that I recd. for you that I have not paid which will
throw a small balance in your favor. I there
is a family in my house and they wishing to stay
doesn't interpret them until you hear I have got
money to get there with my family.
pg.3
Mr. Smiths farm should I please get them with
my family I think probably I should be glad to
buy it at a fair price, if the land suited me &
I can get the money to pay for it. The most I
feel concerned about in his land or mine is
raising corn I am afraid it will be most to cold
and clayey you wrote me that his crops were good
this season you also did not in particular about corn
I wish you to write me a good long letter soon
after you receive this and more particulars
We have no sleighing at this time have had eight
weeks this winter as good sleighing as we could ask
for and as cold weather as seldom ever have
Julia has the same number of young ones she had when
you was here William, age 10 years the 27th of July next
Henry 7th, the 22nd of July next & John 5 the 10th of March
next there is considerable talk among them about
Ohio it is often the first thing when they wake in
in the morning John wants to know if when he gets to
hio and lives in a log house if the logs won't fall
on his head Dear sister I could not seem to let this letter
go without writing a little I feel a rather axiety to get settled
somewhere. I have felt disconnected for the year past there
is three familes of us in the house we get along without any dif-
-ficulty but you must know it is inconvenient I hope the roads
will be settled early and Mr. W will get his money and we shall
be able to stay in good season Nancy was here at the wedd-
-ing with all her children they are pretty near of an age you
know best she gets along with them verry well Martha was
here at the same time we had a verry pleasant wedding alth-
-ough it was tremendous cold Sarah is very well situated
Sister Stone wishes to be remembered to you her health feeble
and her eyes very painful at times she would be glad to wr-
-ite to you and Sister Brown but cannot we shall not think
you excusable much longer unless you write I do not an-
-ticipate much from the society of my connection in Ohio if
they are as sparing of visits as they are of letters. I would
write much but have not time or room. love to all
good night my dear sister Julia A Weld.
Pg. 4
A word more for the boys William is quite a scholar
he attends school this winter at Green academy is
Studying reading writing geography book of commerce
and arithmatic some evenings thinks he can read as
well as as the best of them in the school stood at the
head of the first class about three week in succession
Henry is not so much for learning as W & Johny has more
of an ear for musick then either of them. he feels afraid
there will some accident happen on the way he said the
other day he wished he could begin to grow again and grow
in Ohio for perhaps the boat may tip over.
I wish you to write to me soon after you receive this write
as long a letter as this and more interesting write everything
you think we shall want to hear and tell the rest after
we get there. I have no room for any more yours John D. Weld
July 10th.
