Name/Title
Apr 10, 1840 Letter regarding debt to J D BullEntry/Object ID
001375Tags
Henry Pierson, Andrew Wilson, John BullSubject
This is a fascinating 1840 letter from Andrew Wilson in Amherst (likely Massachusetts, given the mention of an "Academic Course") to H. Pierson, Esq., likely of Orange County, New York. It provides a rich look at 19th-century life, touching on private debt, the education and moral development of a son (George), and the local labor economy.
Amherst Sept 10th 1840
Dear Sir
I am indebted to J. O. Bull Esq
nearly $1000 for which he holds my note on interest you may pay him (if convenient) $200 for me and we will settle in Sept. at which time George will have completed his Academic Course and I think will be well prepared for College. It gives us great pleasure to say that our expectations
are likely to be fully realized in him in all respects; his improvement in mind & manners for the last half year have been all that either you or we could ask or wish, and I hope & believe that neither you nor he will have cause to regret having made choice of this place for his education. we had much solicitude about him and were very fearful of the consequences when Master
Cummins returned (which I presume you are aware he did a few days after Mr. Pierson left us) but in a little time George seemed entirely to awake to a sense of his duty both in school and in the family and to rise superior
to evil counsel and example. it was certainly a most eventful period in his life and the firmness of you and his Mother in that painful and critical moment contributed much towards this happy result. Markets here have not altered
so much as with you and I do not know that wages have fallen any we have to pay about the same to both men & women that we did last year although the profits will not warrant it. Men demand a dollar per day and will not work without it. Hay sells for $15 p. ton in this village, and corn for 87 cts - we expect to visit Orange County in Sept. Mrs. Wilson wishes to be
affectionately remembered to Mr. Pierson.
Sincerely Yours, Andrew Wilson
H Pierson Esq.
