This is a three-page letter, folded multiple times to create an envelope. The letter is from John D. Weld to Aaron Aldridge concerning disposition of bank stock and his concern about it being stolen. There is a discussion of farm life and family health. Of concern is the digging of a well and bringing water to the building.
Transcribed:
Prov. Nov 12. 1849
Dear Brother
Yours of the 27th [?] I recd day before
yesterday. In answer to your enquiries I have to say
the hundred and fiften dollars of the 20th of
August I received in due time but the thirty
two dollars & thirty five cents I have not recd
Neither was I aware that you sent it as you
did not mention it in your letter of the 20th
of Aug. If the Mail was robed of $5.000 &
the rober has laid the money out in real
Estate without doubt I own a Small share
in it. Now what way can I take to reco
ver that money What Proof will be required
and what proof can we make then question
you can probably answer better than I -
I shall be under the necessity of again
calling on you for assistance. Plan to
write me as soon as you receive this and
inform me where you purchased the check
and where it was payable And what proof
they will require to establish a chain to the
money Stolen
p.2
Plan to write in your next what you wished
to have done with the Bank Stock we -
should be glad to keep it if it was a
-greeable to you and Brother Brown
and pay you for it
I must confess I have been negligent in
not writing to you sooner but I have been
very busy this fall Since haying I with
the help of Henry & John (Wm is living
a trade or trying to his health is not very
good) have laid twenty five rods of wall down
our harvesting and now are very busy -
laying Down lead pipe to bring water
to our Buildings have a hatch [?] down diging
the trench which when finished will
be about 43 rods and aded to the rest
I go to Market three times a week buy
My Stock do my butchering have con
-siderable amount of bills to make off mon
-thly and collect all of which works my
time up pretty close. Have thoughts may
times within the last six weeks I had ought
to write to Ohio But you are aware that
p. 3
Procrastination is the thief of time
Your relatives and friends in this vicinity
are all enjoying comfortable health
One week ago to day tell Henry Winsor
his Brother James started for California
Your truly - John D Weld
