Name/Title
Letter from Moses Young to Josiah Richards 1846Entry/Object ID
LHS 2021.30Scope and Content
copy of the original letter
transcribed by Diane O'Brien
Letter from Moses Young to Josiah Richards in Illinois
Lincolnville October 19, 1846
Dear friend, having never received any letters from you, altho you promised to write me all about matters when you arrived in Illinois, I now sit down to write you of my welfare and that of your children; my own family are enjoying tolerable health; and with very few exceptions, all of my relations, and yours, are in possession of like blessings. Elizabeth and child are with us. Wesley is living with James Richards In Searsmont they received a letter of you about one fortnight since; Elizabeth wants me to say to you that she and Wesley were glad to hear from you, and also to hear that you wanted tp get back home. In answer to your request whether they would come out to Illinois they say they shall not attempt any such thing and are very sorry that you ever was so unlucky as to go out there and meet with such a loss; but Wesley says that if you will try to get back, and have not means sufficient, only let him know and he will help you back home, and wants the girls to come back if they can in company with you.
They say do not be discouraged; keep up a good heart and make the best of bad luck; it is all in the lifetime; your brothers and sisters are yet living and enjoying the common blessings of health.
Business with us is lively, wages is very good for labourers, although money is rather tight. Our crops of wheat are tolerably good. Our corn crops are extra – hay has been abundant, and generally speaking potatoes have been much better than last year
We have had one of the most severe droughts this fall, even now here, I am burning lime now, and others are very busily engaged in the same business. Lime has not been so good a price as last year – worth from 50 to 60 cts.
I want you to write me immediately and tell where you are and where Isaac Richards is – Elison Pendleton Josiah Halprin Abiah Wadsworth and Morthy Mary and Ruth Morthy can write if you should not, tell her to write every particular as soon as convenience admits, we do not value paying postage on letters much nor should not if we had a letter every week from you. Tell Isaac Richards we want him to come home and make lime casks for us – the work is easier than formerly my cooper makes 25. or more per day – we have our staves sawed in the machine all ready to set up; we wish you to remember us to all our friends. We wish them well and hope they will prosper.
I wrote Josiah Halprin and directed my letter to La Harp [La Harpe is a town in the middle of Hancock County Illinois which borders the Mississippi River] not long since; am expecting to hear from him every day.
I have not time to write more now but remain your sincere friend till the end Josiah Richards
Pray for us _______Moses YoungUpdate Date
February 1, 2025
