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Abel reports personal and family news to his sister, saying that their brother Lewis has informed him that their father is in a poor state of health and that Judith has joined the church in Peacham. Abel further reports that he and Lewis now own adjoining farmland in Centerville, and that Mark's wife Jerusha is ill.

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In a letter directed to her mother-in-law at Peacham, Jerusha describes her debilitated state.

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Benjamin reports that he is in good health and would like to see his father visit the family in western New York. Benjamin is now working with his brother Mark in harvesting and selling maple sugar. Also reports that brother Abel has married a woman from Centerville named Harriete Trail, and that the two intend to settle there. Benjamin's wife Ruhanna concludes the letter with personal news directed to Benjamin's sister Judith.

Scope and Contents Judith informs her sister and sister-in-law (Sally Burbank Blanchard, wife of Hazen) that she is safely arrived in Centerville. In an extended narrative, she describes her 11-day journey west across the state of New York. Included is a brief account of the newly completed Erie Canal (on which her party did not travel): [W]e stopt at Little falls to view the Canall which is north seeing what cost and labor there is in that little spot we crosed the canall 8 or 10 times saw boats filled with...

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Judith reports that she is now living with her brother Mark and taking care of his house, as his wife Jerusha has recently died. In the portion of the letter directed to her sister Cynthia and her brother's wife Sally, she discusses personal and family news.

Scope and Contents Mark describes his ten-day journey home to Centerville from Vermont, including a passage on the Erie Canal: . . . [M]onday morning at ten oclock I got to the western canal fifty miles below Utica waited about two hours for a boat had a very agreeable passage to Rochester where I arrived saturday morning I lived as well as I could wish aboard the boat for one shilling a meal and one cent a mile for passage the boat was loaded very heavy had a great many stops to make which is the reason of my...

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The youngest Blanchard son describes his journey from home and the field labor he is performing for $13 per month. He is situated along the Middlesex Turnpike, about 75 miles northwest of Boston.

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Writing from the vicinity of Syracuse, Barnes reports that he is in good health following an ankle injury suffered in the spring. Goes on to mention construction of the Oswego Canal (linking the Erie Canal with Lake Ontario); French-Canadian, Irish, and German immigration into central New York; and the Anti-Masonic Party.

Scope and Contents Barnes notes that this letter is only the third he has written home since leaving Peacham in 1827. His present plan is to stay in Centerville for the summer to work land he has purchased for two and a half dollars per acre, ("the common price of land in the state of nature.)" Mark has a new house on his land, for which he still owes $100. Lewis and Abel, for their part, have partly paid off the deed on the land they own together. The author then addresses a separate section of the letter to...

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A letter concerning the settlement of the estate of one Ebenezer Davis.

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Barnes reports on local agricultural and commercial conditions. "English grain" came in well but prices for produce and beef are generally low: ". . . I suspect it is on account of an cessation of Business in our Markets Money is scarce more so then common produce is low of all Description . . . ." Lewis spent the summer making bricks. Also notes the general "contention and strife" provoked by disagreements between persons of different religious denominations.

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The author discusses his health and the health of his family, notably his wife, who has suffered from a "long complaint attended with much cough." Speaks at length about his relationship with his wife and about the role of religious faith during her illness.

Scope and Contents Barnes discusses a possible visit from his mother and muses on life in general, saying ". . . we Rise in the morning full of vig[or]ous hope and expectation and we find that our hopes are all Blasted and expectation are disappointed. . . ." The author also describes the recent harvest, saying that the cold and wet have led to unfavorable corn and wheat crops. Hopes that the area will benefit from the upcoming construction of a railroad from New York to Buffalo, running within 15 miles of...

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The author of this letter is unidentified.

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Writing in a religious vein, the author reflects at length on his life's experiences and his current regrets. He invites his brother to relocate to New York state, noting that land can be purchased for the reasonable price of $8 per acre. Notes that the Centerville area will benefit from the construction of a canal along the Genesee River and a railroad linking New York City with Lake Erie. To his mother specifically, the author reaffirms his affection and love.

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The author, writing to his grandmother, is a son of Benjamin Blanchard, born ca. 1827. He mentions a two-week revival meeting held in Centerville, attended by Lewis and Barnes and many other townspeople, but protested against by Abel.

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The author is probably Harriet Trail Blanchard, wife of Abel Blanchard, Jr. She invites her parents to visit, saying "We have such a Peacham settlement. It is just like getting among old neighbors."

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For a plot in Falmouth, Cumberland County, Maine.

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For a plot in Falmouth, Cumberland County, Maine.

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For a plot in Peacham, Caledonia County, Vermont.

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For a plot in Peacham, Caledonia County, Vermont.

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For a plot in Peacham, Caledonia County, Vermont.

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Writing to his father, Lewis mentions that he has been absent from home for a year or more and has had "as good luck . . . as can be expected for a young man to start out into the world with out anything . . . ." Also mentions that he has heard by letter that his brother (Benjamin) and cousin are safely arrived at Osnabruck, Upper Canada (a township on the St. Lawrence), hoping to make bricks.

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Writing to Thomas Estman (Eastman) at Peacham, Lewis tells of his travels to and within Canada over the past year: from Peacham to Montreal, up and down the Grand (Ottawa) River, a stay in Quebec, and return to Montreal.

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Lewis relays news of his brother Benjamin's brickmaking enterprise at Osnabruck, and gives a positive report of the state of trade locally: ". . . there was never known to be so much Shipping in Montreal ever sinse it was Settled . . . ."

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Lewis reports that he has been upriver to Osnabruck, and plans to return to tend a store for a man named Wells.

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Benjamin reports on the progress of his brickmaking venture, remarking that he and his cousin Samuel have produced a total of 175,000 bricks, selling at 6 dollars per thousand. Also mentions he is planning a trip through the Holland Purchase of western New York state, and thence home to Peacham. Lewis appears to have "a very good business" in his arrangement with Wells.

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Benjamin writes that he and his brother Mark have each bought land in Nunda in the Holland Purchase. They plan to make bricks at a kiln in nearby Batavia during the winter months, and farm their lots the rest of the year. Talks at length about the influx of settlers, especially Vermonters, into the area, and its access to markets in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Montreal.

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Mark writes his younger brother of his feelings on leaving home and family.