• "Western Reserve History Library, MSS1320, Clark Webster papers, 1774-1865" (https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/M2K9-DLK).

• Category: Original

• Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
• Creator: Webster, Clark
• Title: Clark Webster Papers
• Dates: 1801 to 1849

• 

1776 December 2 ltr from Jonathan Gillette to his wife Elizabeth Bradford Steele Gillette

My Friends,
No doubt my misfortunes have reached your ears. Sad as it is, it is true as sad. I was made prisoner the 27 day of August past by a people called Hessians and by a party called Yagers, the most Inhuman of all mortals. I cant give Room to picture them here; but thus much I at first Resolved not to be taken, but by the Importunity of the Seven taken with me, and being surrounded on all sides by numbers, I unhappily surrendered; would to God I never had — then I should never (have) known their unmerciful cruelties; they first disarmed me, then plundered me of all I had, watch Buckles, money and some Clothing, after which they abused me by bruising my flesh with with the butts of their guns They knocked me down; I got up and they kept beating me almost all the way to their camp where I got shot of them — the next thing was I was almost starved to death by them. I was kept there eight days then sent on board a ship, where I continued 39 days, and lived much worse than when on shore. after I was set on shore at New York confined under a strong guard till the (20th) day of November after which I have had my liberty to walk part over the City between sun and sun, notwithstanding their generous allowance of provision. I must inevitably have perished with hunger had not some friends in this town Relieved my extreme necessity, but I cant expect they can always do it. What I shall do next I know not, being naked for clothes and void of money and winter present, and provisions very scarce; fresh meat one shilling per pound, Butter three shillings per pound, Cheese two shillings, Turnips and potatoes at a shilling half-peck, milk fifteen Coppers a quart, bread equally as dear; & the General says he can't find us fuel through the winter, tho at present we Receive some coal. I was after put on board seized violently with the dysentery — it followed me hard upwards of six weeks — after that a slow fever, but now I am vastly better — I pray these lines might find you and your children in health, and should be glad to hear from you if possible — My sincere love to you and my children — may God keep and preserve you at all times from sin sickness and death — May he feed and clothe you but above all, prepare you all to appear before his righteous bar, that when called you might each of you Render up your accounts with Joy: my being absent from you I hope

I hope don’t hinder your being mindful of your soul's welfare; nor my suffering take your thoughts from your duty to God, never murmur nor Repine at the hand of providence what God doth Remember it is Right to teach your Children the paths of Virtue, and to walk therein; may they Remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and live to do much good in their day and generation — may you have the presence of God with you to enable and assist you in this important work — I leave you all, if alive, in the hands of a merciful God who will have mercy on all that seek him, and may you be of that happy number whose God is the Lord, and when you quit this mortal shore may you Reach a far better, where Sorrow and Vexatious troubles never come. After giving you a small sketch of myself and troubles I will Endeavor to faintly lead you into the poor situation the soldiers are in, especially those taken at Long Island where I was; in fact their cases are deplorable and they are Real objects of pity — they are still confined and in houses where there is no fire — poor mortals, with little or no clothes, perishing with hunger, offering 8 dollars in paper for one in silver to Relieve their distressing hunger for want of food their natures are broke and gone, some almost loose their voices and some their hearing — they are crowded into churches and there guarded night and day. I can't paint the horrible appearance they make — it is shocking to human nature to behold them. Could I draw the curtain from before you there expose to your view a lean Jawed mortal whom hunger has laid his skinny hand, and whet to keenest Edge his stomach cravings, surrounded with tattered garments. Rotten Rags clothes kept with unwelcome vermin. Could I do this, I say — possibly I might in some small manner fix your Idea with what appearance some hundreds of these poor creatures make in houses where once people attempted to Implore God's Blessings &c. but I will say no more of their calamities. God be merciful to them — I can't afford them no Relief — If I had money I soon would do it, but I have none for myself — I wrote a line to you by Major Wells to try and see if some one would help me to hard money. Under my present necessity I could write no more if I had, the General would not allow it to go out

the General would not allow it to go out & if ever you write to me I would have you write very short or else I shall never see it &c. I have going on due to me six months wages when Completed will be upwards of a Hundred dollars which I am suffering for a part now, and if any one will help me to some money now, I in this Empower you to Give them an Order on Capt Hubbard who hath some of my money now in his hands, which order may secure them. It was when in the cause of my country I partook of this misfortune, and will no one step forth to help make my life some small matter comfortable while I Live. I have little or no expectation of being Released from this my Present Confinement during the contest, at least not under a year from this, but should I be so happy as to meet with a quick Release I soon would attack my old friends the Hessians and try hard to be Revenged on them for my two Eyes and Give them full proof I never would be Taken again, for I never shall forget the Robberies, blows and Insults I met with as well as hunger, Since they are Imprinted in so Legible characters on my memory what they Robbed me of that day would with a moderate computation amounted to the value of 72 dollars at least and how much since I can't tell. I will give as near an exact amount of how many prisoners the enemy have taken as I can — They took on Long Island of Huntington Regiment 64, privates and of officers 40; of other regiments about 60 they took the 13th of Sept on York Island about 100 men Manhatten Island 14 on Staten Island 7 men they took at fort Washington 2200 officers and men they took on the jersey side about 20 officers and men belonging to the army. So in all it amounted to 3135 officers and men, and how many killed I don’t know, Many died of their wounds ; and as before mentioned we have lost that went out with me, of sickness occasioned by hunger and more lie at the point of death. We lost 2 sergeants since we came here how many have died of the Regiment I can't rightly say but I believe at least one third part but notwithstanding this we are not discouraged yet &c.
Roger Filer hath lost one of his legs and part of a Thigh - it was his left. John Moody died here a prisoner. So Now to conclude my little Ragged History will be in a few words, I as you know ever did Impress on your mind to look to God for so, still I continue to do the same

think less of me but more of your Creator — Remember you are born to die, and you could not but expect to meet with troubles Were it God's will I should be glad to see you and the children before I am called to Depart this life, but if I don’t I shan’t allow myself to be uneasy, for a complaining uneasy temper of soul carries punishment along with it. So I exhort you to shun that folly in this I wish you well and bid you farewell, and subscribe myself your nearest friend and well wishes for Ever.
Jon'a Gillet.
(Tell Corina not to forget her Father for he hasnt forgot her) (my sincere Love to you and the children)
N. B. My duty to father & mother Love to Brothers & Sisters and a remembrance to all neighbors and friends
Especially B. Colton Esq. Mr. Collins, Mr. Crosby &c.
New York December 2, 1776.
To
Eliz'' Gillet
at West Hartford."

(Endorsed)
"To
Mrs. Elizabeth Gillet,
at West Hartford."

1797 Franklin NY ltr from Michael Webster

Frankling NY 1797
Honored Sir it is with pleasure that I take pen in Hand to write to you to inform you that we all enjoy our healt at present hoping that these fue lines will find you enjoying the same state of helth for we received your letter you wrote that sickness had ben in your family and that it had abated
i shal not be to lengthy on this subject but I shal pass on I would not have you be to much in a hurry about selling your place to trustee without the pay down. you never wrote nothing about the rent of the farm I shoul began to know what rent he demands or whether he demands or such and such building on it. I expect that we shal become down soon if nothing I should be glad that you would write to me to let me know how your crops come in and how your hay do whether they are all alive ??? ??? had our respect to you and to your family
Michael Webster

I Should be glad that you would Send a leter back by mister Aus Barn he is down after my ??? family

1804 October 26 ltr from Polly Webster to Clark and Namy Webster Lanesborough MA

Franklin NY October 26 1804
Dear Brother and Sister
I now ve time from the bussy cares of this lief to in form you that through the goodness Of god that we are all well at present. And i hope that this liens will find you and yours all in an hour of helth I hav not much nuse to write at presents Only that I want to see you all very much But since the distance of thruway Our present conversation pray that we mite converse by letters this being th third leter that I have vote to you And have not we seved any answer from you A we never have heard any direct word from you since michael wasnt there I will in form you that day and many has talked of cuming out to see you this fall But they could not very well the Sam??? that they will cum in the winter if nothing takes place mor than I know of now
We have looked for you out hear this fall sum but since you have not cum we must be contented but how happy I should be to wait on you and yours hear at our house you should be welcome to the rest that the house affords let it be what it will tell your sweet son that if his aunt Polly could see him that she would give hime

talke of cuming out to see you this fall But they Could not very well but [S?] us who That they will cum in the winter if nothing takes place mor than I know of now

We have looked for you out hear this fall sum but since ya have not com we must be Contented but I have happy I should be to it wa on you 8 years hear at our haus you should Be well came to the best that the haus affords let it be what it will tell your sweet Son that if his aunt Polly Could see him That she would give him wone such shaking as he never had in his life before But I am afraid that I never shall see that time in this world but I hope

That if we never see each other again in This world that we may be so happy as to Meet in the heavens above wher trouble never comes time hastens away very fast and I must come to close I hope that you will answer this letter I exspect that Leman will be the barer of this few lines
I wish that I had sum good present to send to you but lemon is afat so I will send you a pease of. my gown o namy how I wish I could see you when I git a thinking about old time, it all most makes the tears to run I have lived a very lonsom life this summer I should be glad to visit more but I cant lest I sould ??? your paciance so ?? of give Daddy and Mary send thier love to you this from your dear Sister Polly Webster
Clark and Namy Webster

1813 February 10 Marcellus NY ltr from your father Gershom Hall

1813 February 10 Marcellus
Dear Children I now with a heavey hart take pen to inform you of our Greef and for last Sunday morning my Son Jabesh was well and before eleven o clock was dead it is ???the reft ofenfox well he said day of last march I brok me leg yet on the 20 day of last october ?? tuck fire and burnt to ashes and about ?? hundred dollers properly in it we saved but avery litel we lad out to bilt ?? somer i hopse to make a bgining now I am in grat trobel I desire you prares I Receved a leter from you Som time ago. under stand you had rote to ?? before I have not Seen it I have ben wating for to See Lomes is about ninety miles to the west of me he lives in the towne of Mosely as near as I can find out in the County of Geneysee your later that I rev was not dated I am in hast Right to me a quick as you can from your well wishes your father Gershom Hall

1816 May 1st Canaan CT ltr to Elizur Loomis from Jonathan Gillette Jr

Canann May 1st 1816
Dear Cozin
You doubtless have heard before this time the unwelcome news of your fathers death - How then shall I paint to you the scene - alas that affecting scene which separated him from you and his dear family I feel myself inadequate to the task however I will give you a short scetch of his illness He came to my fathers house on saturday the 16th of March and taken sick on sunday evening about 12 at night he was taken with severe ague chills and called to me - I got up and gave him that ? got him warm however in the morning he was not able to dress himself alone I went for a Dr he poked him gave pills he came the next day and said he could see no cause for alarm - On Wednesday he expressed a desire to see his brother I accordingly went to Winsor after him and returned on Friday how changed the scene all hope had fled and dispare despondiny gloom hung heavy on each countenance however the inexpressible joy he felt on seeing his brother can be better felt than described with open arms he did receive himme his heart was overjoyed at the meeting his body as it were apeard refreshed (but for a moment) on the other hand his brother with tender humility friendship which endears one brother to an other beheld his dying friend with anguish in his heart yet with calmness on his mind did he embrace his dying brother - the scene was truly awful and majestic On Saturday the 23 about 5 oclock afternoon with humble submission to the will of God he expired - By this we see the morality of man and the uncertainty of all earthly things I hope you will excuse. this short piece as I have scetched it in a hurry - I Remain your friend Jonathan Gillette Jr
N. B. Be please? my regards to your Brother and sisters and your mother - My father and Mother wish to be remembered to you all - Be plesed to write the first opportunity J. G.

1817 Marcellus NY June the 1 1817 from your father Gerham Hall

Marcellus NY June the 1 1817
Dear children my love to you and your famely. Hoping this will find you all well we are well but my Self i am trobled with the rumetyz. I have rcd three leters from you latly I was liveing in the town of phelps about forty miles from this place when you first later was rote this may I have moved back again I Long to See you I should be glad if you could com and see me as to Relgon it is a very cold time with me at present I hop it is not so with any of yo I had alater from Lomes las march thare famely that was alive was well theay have had thare hous burnt and thar son next to thare oldest burnt in the hous with about all thare goods after i red the later i lad it in the cober and i never see it after words so i can not teel the town nor the county whare he leves right to me ever opertunity from your father and well wishes Gersham Hall

Elijah Loomis lives in Bergen, Genesee County N. Y. state
Bergin taken off from the town Murry

1817 July 12 Bergen NY from Sally and Almira Loomis

Bergen July the 12th 1817 Dear Brother and sister I gladly embrace this opportunity to inform you of our welfare at present and hoping these few lines will find you and yours enjoying the same blessing Which is the greatest that we can enjoy in life but I must try to inform you of the dreadful seen which had happened in my family which it seems more that i can bear though now i ought to submit myself to the hand of God which sometimes i feel as if i did entirely reconcile to his will my second son Elijah is gone untill the heavens shall be no more hid death was by the burning of our house which took place last feb the fourteenth about 9 oclock at knight he and Zalmon slept together in the chamber Zalmon was gone to a siphering school when mother awoke the flames appeared to be all around the bed father tried to enter the chamber but it was all in vein Namy you cannot realize in what a distressed seen I went through that knight there was some remains of him left which was picked up by the next morning we strove for him until it was past we do getting scarce anything out i am blessed with another son about 2 months old which makes my 13th child

Rhoda and Sally is maried Rhoda was maried about four years ago and about four weeks ago her youngest was drowned in in a tub out on the porch Rhoda has settled about a half a mile from us and Sally ? a mile she was married last december father hall and his family was liveing and well except Jabish he is dead

I have heard from lanesborough last week they was all well uncle lewis and aunt neby is dead i have sent you two letters and id dont now as i have directed them write I never have recieved any letters from you for six years sometimes i think you are swept away with the rest that have gone down to their grave I want you to write to me as quick as posible our town is changed from murray to bergen county gennessee state of New york Loomis and the children send their love to you all I remain your loveing brother and sister Sally Loomis Almira Loomis
i now send two letters to you
to be shure of your getting one of them
George Burton and wife desires to be remembered to you

1819 April 8 Marcellus NY ltr from Gershom Hall to Clark and Naamah Webster

Marcillus April the 8th 1819
Dear children I have rcd lattely two leters from you the last baring date February the 28 1819 I understand you are all wel thru the goodness of God We are enjoying the Same blessing at Present my love to you all one of your laters was loged about 05 miles beyond me in the postofes thare and sant back to this ofise I wold be glad if you wold let me no I always do when I Right to you Children I wold aske yo one thing is Jesus yore Chefe Joy do you Glory in him as your Righteossness and sanctification Could you part with everything in creation with hous and lands and Brethren and Listres and Could you Resign a thousand worlds were thay at your desposial to be with him and in Joy more fully the communications of his lives then you may exclaim upon scripture authority the Lord Jesus is my Saviour and eternal life through him is my Portion be hold God is my Salvation I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord Jehovah is my strenth and my song he is also become my Salvation indavor daly to be advancing nearer to perfection to be growing in Grace and in the knowledge and love and admiration of our Lord Jesus Christ Children Can you say Jesus is thy beloved thy portion thine all I think i can then go in joyful in the Heavenly Careed Rejoice and be exceeding glad beloved Shortly varey shortly faith shall be lost in full vision they hops shall terminate in actual fruition then thine eyes shall behold they Bloved in the unclouded blaze of his glory and thy hart shall be filled to the very uttermost with his abundant consolations from your father and well wishes
Gershom Hall
I am old and right very poor you will be pesterd to red it

1819 October 30 ltr from your father Gershom Hall Marcellus NY

Marselleis NY October 30th 1819
I take this opportunity to inform you that we are all well at present thru the goodness of God Hoping these will find you again saying the same thing. I received a leter from you the 18 day of this instant month baring date June the 13th 1819 said leter in sled of being lef at ther woods was caried so far beyan me I did not receive it till now. I received it from the third prostofes but it rejoyces my hart to hear so great ?? to the later I rought to you conserning your faith and belefe in Christ I dunot fel abed at present to say any thing to you Edeyfacacian at present as you have before received Jesus Christ the Lord So walk ye in him to move to the world. By your dayle Walk and conversion that yo have ben with Jesus. I am bare Sory I did not receive your leter before. we have ben wondering all somer that we did not hear from you. we was up Lake ery two hundred miles last August. we should com and seen you if we had recd you leter. if Land suited thare we should bou thare I am very sorey we had not heard from you before we have saveral plases in veu aout one hundred milds from this towards you and about bargend for one of them and enpt to move from hear sum Right to me aney more without putig yor leter in to the male. I will willing pay the posteg my love to you al beleveing I shall yet com and se you. No more at prsent from your father
Gershom Hall

1820 August the 30th pg 1 Genesee County NY from Gershom Hall

1820
Der Cilren I take this opertunity to right to you to let you know that wee are all weel but our small children theay have got the hoping C of children I feel thankful to the God of Haven and arth for his Wonderful goodness to wards me and mine that we are all alive and that he has been plesed to bless us with the god things of this worlds good both for food and Ranement But above all halp us heavenly father to bless and thanke thy Holy name for the onspekeble love to wards us in sparing thy be loved Son from thy bousam to com down to arth for to Redem our soles from misery dear Redeamer we thank and adore thy holey name for thy un spekebel Love to wards us in condecion for to Be born to sufer and dy for us Reched on woty caeters Dear Children I feele as tho I had a real desire that you and I could have a reail sone hou grat is the condescenson of almighty God in holding my communion with his church in their public assemblies when with united prayer and supplications theay make their solemest addresses to him but o how adorable is his condescending love in stooping so low as to maintain aholey fellowship and sweet communion with a single Christian in his closet devotions is it not anough that in haven when we shall put on our Roub of Glory that he take us in to his Royal presenic and at mitus thare to the site and in joyement of his fase and favour but willhe now whilst we are clad with rags of mortality and be fore our grave cloathes are thrown of certain us also as his friends and indulge us the liberty of gieving him a visit in the Remoleste plase verily such as toonishing Love and gracious condesensions rather to be admired then expressed by us now thare are required several seret duties to the due perforance whar of allmighty God upon our humble prares to him will aford us the sweet ninfluence the secretaids and afsisnones of his Holey spirit as namely Holy and devout mediations When the sole retiers from the world and in a serious and solemn manner lets itself to think upon God or Consider his Glorious attributes to mediate upon his gracious promises tp admire his wonderful Word and Works Serious salf examinations by Which we make daily inqury into the state of our souls and there by arive at a well gounded knowledge of the safete of our state and condition by Comparing the frame of our hairts and the condse of our Lives with the holy Rule of Gods commandments and observing their sincere conformity thereunto secret prayer and supplication which ought to be performed constantly and seasonably in the nine mo begin the day with God and make a most hadly tender of yourself to his service and glory before you set about any wordly business and never think of puting your clothes to lie down at night before you have comonedoted yourselves and all yours into his merciful protection for your encouragement hear unto you. have the practice and example of our blessed saviour whom you find early in the morning praying alone Sant Mark.1.35 and last in the evening St. matt.14.23 and that this was our saviours yusual pactice fromm St Luke.22.32. Compared with St. Luke.21.27 thus cristsanified this duly by his one exampel and had by his promise anexe a gracious Reward to the faithful doing of it St. Matt.6.6. all this our blessed Saviour did when he was heare on arth and nought as he is a fended upon to heaven to what purpose is he apointed our Enterceser thare if we send up no prayers to him to be presented by him to the Father besides this the sense of our daley wants one would think should suffiecently excite us to this duty we standing continued need of god or if we could be supposed to want nothing yet yet remembrance we have that we hold all we call ours by means only mercy of God should move us to acknowledge him and to pay our homage and adorations to him add to this that there is no such way to make Almighty God intierley our frind as by commending ourselves in the duty of prayer to him with a pious trust in his mercy and entierly devoting of our selves to his service and glore but oh hoe merciful will be the Comfort of going to God as an acquaintaince when we are going out of this world if we can truley say I Shall chang my place but not my company how joyfully may we hope and comfortable expect to go to God when we die with whom we held a constant good correspondence and maintained a faset of familiarity whilst we lived let these considerations briefly hinted to thy thots worke in the a pious resolution to begin and end the day with God this will fortyfy thy fold against sin and the tempatations of sinners
Perdey august the 30 1820 from your father Gershom Hall
Geneesee County
fale not to right to me by the first male

1821 Jan 8 Windsor NY ltr to Corinna Gillette Rice from Ralph Steele

Windsor
Jan 81th 1821
Dear Mother
Our little family are blest with good health and peace and contentment which are generally found with little and at home are intimate with our domestic circle. for some time after the abscence of Sidney we were some lonesome and there is not a day passes but Corinna inquires when he is coming home again. I heard from him at a village 15 miles this side of Buffalo he had got along well so far I had expected Lucinda would have spent the winter here and knew not the reason why she did not come until Mr. Young returned I infered from what he said that I was blamed for having Nye in house the house but I think without reason as Sydney permitted him to come in and I have exerted myself to get him out and was it not for his shiflesness he would have been in his own house long before this day

Eliza and I done your errand faithfully to him he has engaged to get into his own house in the country of next week at all events Mr P helps him I have taken the school here this winter I have 40 scholars

i should be glad to have Lucinda come down and stay this winter if she can her objections be removed I think She can attend school I have had two two that have just commenced on grammar and would be pleased with an addition to their class Thankful has a son about two weeks old it is a general time of health Mr Rawdon sends his respects to you and yours Elizas love to you all
Yours Respectfully
Ralph Steele

Corinna sends a kiss to Hyman tell Hyman he must be diligent with his book or Corinna will beet him she says almost all her letters and loves her book dearly

your father seas he carnt com down this fol for he cant geat mony a nof it is hard times hear for money your old master heas throd upe his trayd and is now a gonter? Docketer for a living give my lovee to all you friends and your father to my best respects we hold in and his family
Tamy Loomis

1823 December 10 Marcellus NY ltr from Gershom Hall

Dear Children I now take this opertunity to inform you of my tryels and afflictions before I received your letter in the month of last June my son Loammi was taken with the measels he lived about two weeks he died the twenty eighth day of last June at sunset ?? settled on his loungs which put him in the greatest pane and destress that I ever see aney person indure days before his deth we was in grat destress for his sole two days before his deth he cald us to his bed and told ua that the Lord had forgiven his sens and he was waiting to dy he told us not to morn for him but morn for ourselves then his chidren came into his mind moving? what woman he had to leave them with he said he shuld be glad to see the upbringing of his children if it not bee the will of God if it was not his will he was willing God's will must be don he gave his wife a grat chore to do well to the children noing? what she was if I could see you I could give you a tru acounting abot my tryals and my sone with her I recieved your leter somtime in the month of July it lay along time in the post ofes by thar carlesnes when I red it it aded mor to my destress to du to Satel I was not writing to be imposed apon by that woman that tuck alongtime to bring it to a close to comantleve with my son Luther altho the law was on my sid it is tu lenthey to right now confirming the hul mater I am now liveing in Marcelus your leter was an open later and no siner to it I have now recieved a leter from your son which gives me much comfort I understand that namah is yet liveing and is abel to ster about aletel I understand that the rest of your famley is injoying common helth your sons later lae in the post ofes some days befor i recieved it on that I did not right to you before my mind was so confused and now I make maney maney mistakes another reson I looked for another Later day I certain that your Son and daughter talks of beseting that that ?? in paris teel them not fell coling? on one theay can find out whare I live by ?thing aney of the manherents? in Skaneateles teel them not to fale tho it is a litel out of thee way perhaps somtime next somer thar will be aletel money for you I expext I can tel them when it wil be Radey I understand that naamah thinks I have forgot her my darter that is a grate mastake I am ofen athinking about you all I taout if my life and my hath is spared one to com and see you all, how soon I can not tel hwo nose but it will be the will of the Lord for us to meat to gathe once more before we die my prare to God is that he wold sancifi this sick ness to you and grant that the sense of your wekeness mite ad strenth to your faith in Jesus and Restore you to halth again if it mit be his will and give you wisdom and grase to live the Residue of your life in his fear and to his glory and prepare us for the like adversities that when he has don sarveing him self With us hear he mit be so an speckebl happy as to line that blod wasnt throug that is round his throne in singing song Love and redeeming grace for ever and ever these an maret favors any dear dear daugter I pray mit be our hapey tale and porshe? not for aney worthnes that thare is in us but for his most worthy name and all the pras will be escribed to the father and to the son and to the Holy Spirit for ever Amen and Amen from Marcellus December the 10 1823 your father Gershom Hall our familes are all will and desire to be Remembered to you all amone Laft fore children that are all young it is a burden to me to Right I make so many ma sakes and so put speber my hand is got to be bady havey and no wonder i am savery old

1827 January 15 Byron NY from Sally Loomis to Naamah Webster

Byron Jan 15 1827
Dear Brother and Sister we received your fine letter Dec 23 and was glad to hear that your family was well, alive, but feal to sympathize with Naamah for the loss of her health but we read for whom the Lord loveth he chaseneth I hope these lines will find you all well as the leave us enjoying a good deal of helth Rhoda, Sally, Almira, and Alzyda's families are well as common Sally has had a corse of intermitting fever and for sometime was thought dangerous but has again her health she lives with Pond? yet and keeps her children with her yet we have had no news for certain from Daniel since you left here you stated that you thought we had taken afront at something you wrote last summer but it is not so we may read that letter with pleasure Loomis heard it and more light? of it as he does of everything of that kind but could I write my self you would hear from me more often I have not heard from father since you left him tho I have inquired of several. Major Osborn received a letter from his brother in Lainsborough this fall which brought the news of his father's death
he had removed from Lainsborough to Madison of this state whereas he died his wife was on a visit to Lainsborough at the time of his death he writes the sene was truly affecting she cried Oh I am left all alone all alone I live across the road from Zalmon's whereas I have than I have for several years I have trials had a husband to quick to direct me it seems as if I could enjoy myself better but when i would do good evil is present though this is no excuse from me yet i feal as if i was alone i hope you will pray for me that i may not be left to murmer

I had forgotten to tell you that Loomis saw Reuben Sprague not long since about half a mile from hear he informed him that uncle Ezra Hall died a year ago last spring and his widow had married a man from vermont this fall and still lived on the old place I and no more but subscribed my self your affectionate sister
Sarah Loomis

Naamah Webster

Dear uncle and aunt I must now begin on a sene which is ever fresh to my memory death has entered our house and has taken our eldest son he was five years old he was taken sick friday night and monday night he expired he was in great pain the most of the time it was heart rending to hear him call for help we tried every means to save him in our power but all in vain the Lord said give up a much abused trust and we must submit i never new the fealing of a parent til now I had to much placed my love on the gift and forgot the giver at times I think I can say thy will be done then nature rises and I am left to say why is it so but i ever wish to submit to the will of God with meakness knowing that he can do better far for us than we are able, to ask speak or think Zulmons health is better than it has been for several years he often speaks of you he thinks if he was able he should bring his mother out to see her sister she feals very anxious to see her once more before she dies but it is uncertain but I have pens but a smart part of my feelings but those who have lost children know them better than I can express them it was the inflamation on the brain which took him away he died the 23 of Dec

I wish you to write as soon as you receive this it has been a lot to write several letters to you for mother and one in my own name before this be have never had an answer I hope you will not forget me but write soon
Lucinda Loomis

1831 March 1 Ogden, Monroe County, NY ltr from Almira French to Clark and Naamah Webster

March the 1 1831
Dear uncle aunt and cousins I now take this opportunity to inform you that we are all well hopeing these lines will find you enjoying the same blessing there has been a revival of religion in Genesee and Monroe county this fall and winter Mother Naamah and her husband Sally her husband Alrada we hope has experienced religion Mother Naamah and husband has united with the baptist church we hav not heard from anny of you since Mother left there they have writen to you but have received no Answer we are verry anxious to hear from you all we went down to gandfather's this winter with Mother we found them all well grandfather sends his love to you he says the reason of his not writing to you is because he was wating until his business was settled is all he told me to write we was surprised when we come to se how grandfather lived but iexpect you know as much about it as we do we should be glad to receive a visit from you all Mr french has brothers in the ohio we thought of visiting them next fall but we had our crops cut of by hail which made it difficult for us to go so soon should we visit our brothers we should visit you also from thirteen acres of wheat we saved forty three bushels we had a half crop of corn some people had more some not any aunt ruhmas has parted with her husband perhaps you have heard of it her uncle and Aunt says she is all to blame give our love to all our cousins Chloes married to one Curtis and lives half a mile from Naamah Zalmon's health is about the s it was when he was at your house hope you will write to us as soon as you receive this but must stop wishing that we may live should we never see you in this world that we may be permitted to meet in heaven where parting will be no more
Naamah Webster
Clark Webster
Joseph French Almira French
Ogden
Monroe County
State NY

1831 April 21 Borodino NY from Gersham Hall to Clark and Naamah Webster

?o Gershom Hall of Borro Dinah
Dear children I received your letter dated April 18th 1829 I found by the letter that you and wife was sick a long time and whilst I was reading the letter in the night it catchd a fire and burnt a part of the letter so that I could not read it all the long delay in my not writing to you before was on account of having difficulty with my son the case has become verry grieveous to me I have been led to go to law he has given his word that wanted to settle but has not yet and I am afraid I shall have to try the course of the law he has agreed to settle but I am afraid he will not I had a cousin come to see me April 21 1831 and as far as I learnt from him your family were all all well except for Namah who was confined to her bed I feel sorrow to hear you have so much sickness you must try to put your trust in God and be resigned to his will not murmur and complain under his chastising hand God says he that he loveth he will chastise and may all work together for good I should be glad to have you come and see me and Komah I then could discourse more on these things HB the town where I live is now divided it is called Spafford where I live you must subscribe your letters to Borrow Dino it is the name of the villedge of the same place I live the county of onondaga I want you to write me a letter immediately as soon as you receive this I am so old my memory so poor I cannot write any myself more letters on this day I heard from Lummoni's folks they were all well

I did not write this letter myself I got my cousin to write it - my love to you hoping these lines will find you enjoying better health than when I last heard from you from your father - Gershom Hall
April 21 1831
postscript my daughter Emmas and one of her daughters and son in law has been to see me they went from here Feb 16th

1832 Jan 20 ltr from Gershom Hall

January the 20 1832 der children my love to you all I never have fogot you I understand that you ingoyed comfortable health I hop it continus our first five days meting all poswasons Sants and Siners ant agloves time apped to me liked you descors to me and to Luther Luther and all his family beleve all will be Saved due what thay will I have not much beter opinion of his wife She is very lite Luther and I have com to a satelment about 3 mounths ago now observ due not when yo right to me in any of your laters to not maenen anething he never coresabel abou seeing aney of them now menen aneymore what i have said the leteres we have had nor that you ever hear anytime aneymore about I dare not show him aney of those laters Nor anything I have I sought hear you may see by thes I can not right I have tried to fit Laurel thay all say we dina uder stay riting leters Luther teels me he for time to com will writ when I want him to right to me I am I wont to see yo fase to fase I can not and must stop my branes is confused I naver shall undertak again i can rit a line then I am don
from your father Gershom Hall

1832 January 25 from Gershom Hall

January 25 1832
Dear Children I have Received several letters from you since I have written to you the reason I have not wrote as I am old and cannot write myself I have to depend on Luther or Some other person to do my writing I was in Lanesborough last September our Friends was all well then I am so old I think I shall ??? ever go So long a journey again and I should like to go and see you but I think I Shall not ever be able to go so long a journey as to go to your country I Should be glad to have you and Namy to come and see me and all the rest of the family if they could enjoy very good health for an old man the old woman enjoys very good health Luther and family is all well I have even received any letter from your daughter Sally and I received two letters from you Soon after my couzen Osbourn wrote to you for me the last letter I Received from you was dated November 31 1831 when you write to me again subscribe your letter to Borodino Onodoga County and State of New York and then I can get my days I have no more at present I remain in your affectionate Father Luther will write to you immediately when I die if she should be liveing
Gershom Hall

1832 May 25th East Farmington Oakland Co, Michigan from Naamah Nichols

East Farmington Oakland Co May 25th 1832
Dear Uncle and Aunt
haveing an opportunity to send by Mr Cooly I thought I would write a few lines to you which I have to long neglected since I have been in Michigan our health is now very good Alvin's health is better than it was when mother was there he is now about to carry on his farm but not to keep steady at hard work I received a letter from sister Hannah in Feb she wrote that they were all well and that they had received some letters from you and one for me I was verry sorry to hear that aunts health was declining I do hope that she may be restored to health which is the greatest blessing that is bestowed upon man only those that are deprived of theire health know how to prize it but remember Aunt that you have that religion that can ease the pains of a sick bed and comfort you in a dieing hour and then if we have this what can we ask more, nothing but when disappointments sickness and death comes may we be ready to say thy will be done O Lord. I want to see you verry much but some times all most fear I never shall but still I have faint hopes, I think it would be for Aunts health to take a short journey and come in to this country and make us a visit if she could not visit but would try to come we would receive you with open arms we live about twenty five miles from Detroit I like our situation verry well it has been settled up here about eight years we came in here last September I can tell you dear aunt it was verry trying in parting with my friends more so than if mother had been reconciled to it mr. French sold his farm a short time before we came then he and Almira was calculating to accompany us as far as Ashtabula and make you a visit and a brother he had got in that country but about two weaks before we started Almira was taken with the fever and that disappointed them we received a letter from them in April they had bought a farm in the west part of Ogden about ninety acres and is calculating to let mother have a piece of it father had sent out some brick and lumber but he thinks some times this shant go on to it she says things are now more discouraging about it. Hannah is married to Erastus Curtis brother to Chloes husband I have got two children my youngest is a daughter five months old I have more news to write father and mother Nichols has just arrived they say that my friends are all well excepting mother she has had the fever ague but is now getting better O that I could fly could clasp her to my boosom and there soothe the sorrows of my aged mother but if I should never see her in this life may we be prepared to meet at the right hand of God there to sing his praises forever time will not permit me to write any longer but do write as soon as you can. I must bid you good night while I subscribe myself your affectionate niece
Naamah Nichols

1832 May 27 Byron NY ltr from Lucinda Loomis to Clark and Naamah Webster

Byron May 27 1832
Respected uncle and aunt after a long time I again take my pen in hand to inform you of our situation as respects our health Zalmon is about the same as it has been mother has had the fever ague this spring she does her work now yet her health is not good the rest of our friends are as well as common we heard from Grandfather not long since he was then in good health we received a letter from Naamah they were well and contented they live in Michigan in Oakland co town of east farmington father is calculating to move to Ogden next fall on a piece of land near Almira about 10 miles from heare he has been more stedy this spring am we hope he will remain so it has been verrry sickly here this spring many have been called to try the mortality of eternity while we have been left to enjoy the privalge of the gospel and society of dear friends not because we are better than they by because the Lord doeth what seemeth hym best how happy are they who put their trust in him knowing that he can do better far for us than we deserve mother send her love to you and hopes you will remember her when you surround a throne grace she some of you to come out here as soon as you can we received your letter and was glad to hear from you hope you will write as often as you can excuse my bungling writing
Lucinda Loomis

1832 June 3 Borodino NY ltr from Luther Hall to Clark Webster

Borodino June 3 1832
Dear Friends
I Received your letter yesterday bearing Date the 13 instant giveing account of your family and the severe cold winter Last past the winter commenced here About the 22 of November and continued Severe cold till late this spring it was objected? by the old people in the country they Never Knew So tedious a winter before foder was very scarce hear the Latter part of the winter hay was sold from ten to 15 dollars a ton – you stated you wanted to hear from the old parents our old farther and Mother is Enjoying good health for people of there age My family is well at present – it is very dry in this country Now all kinds of grain looks very poor this will not be much corn here if the wether does not alter Soon – I feal very much pleasure that I have heard from you by way of Letter I think when a person has a gift to write they might Keep more of a correspondence than I have done between friends by writeing to each other I think I have been very neglectful on my part and Should like to hear from you as often as you can make it convenant to write - No more at present and must subscribe my Self your affectionate Brother
Luther Hall
Mr Clark Webster

1832 November 5 Spafford NY from Gershom Hall to Clark Webster

Spafford November 5th 1832
Dear Children
I now take this opportunity to inform you I am now enjoying verry good health through the afection of God hopeing these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing my wife is quite out of health and has been some time, time is short and I must close soon I want to hear from you as soon as you can conveniently send a letter. I have now a comfortable hope in God I have enjoyed my hope in Christ for sometime better thing ever before have done it appears to me cheapest among ten thousand and is altogether lovely to my soul I enjoy that harmony and peace that the wourld cannot take away in my wakeful hours of night I feel that blessed harmony and love towards my Saviour that the wourld cannot give nor take away and towards his holy land and towards that blessed Appostle and all his saints for which I feel unworthy of enjoying such blessings and am astonished at his grace and goodness toward me I hope you are enjoying the same blessing my love to you all, my sons family is all well This from your affectionate Father
Gershom Hall
Mr. Clark Webster
N B direct your letter to
Gershom Hall
Borodino
Onondaga County NY
My grandson Luther (wrote this for me)

1833 May 26 Borodino NY ltr from Luther Hall

Borodino May 26 1833
Dear friends I haveing an anxiety to hear from you thought I would write you a few lines - our aged parents are yet a live and enjoy good health for old people my family is well hopeing this letter will find you enjoying the Same blessing My son Luther left my house some last March to go to the Sate of Ohio with a Horse and waggon and some goods he a greed he would write to us when he got to the Ohio we are all very mutch concerned about him I have not heard any thing from him Since he left Erie in Pennsylvania about five or six weeks Since he Said he Should go to his uncle Websters if he was at your House or if you know any thing a bout him if he was there I Should Preceive it as a very great favor if you would write to me as soon as you can after you receive this letter write to me whether he has been there or not for I should be very much pleased to hear from you and family
from your brother Luther Hall
to Mr. Clark Webster
Subscribe your letter to Borodino Onondaga County New York

1834 February 14 Borodino NY ltr from Gersham Hall to Clark and Naamah Webster

Borodino February 14 1834
Dear children
I received yours of the 26 of January on the last day of January last. I was mutch pleased to hear that you all were in good health and doing well I have Not been well this winter as usual I have been confined to the House the greatest part of the time Since cold wether commenced I was on the day I received your letter Ninety years old and have been till this winter able at all times to walk about the farm with out a staff and to do some work you say that Namy wishes to see me face to face to converse upon religion it would be the greatest Satisfaction to me if I could be there and see her but it is not very favorable to my advanced age ever to be able to get there I wish it was So that you could come here - there is not any people in this country of the Denomination you enquired for the set is a set of people called the mormonites here i must speak concerning your health again for I feal thankful to god that you are in good health it is the first time I Ever heard from you you that all of you was well I feal thankful to god that your family has a hope in Christ and a bove all we ought to be thankful to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for his wonderful Love in redemption of mankind by the Son of his Love his holy Child Jesus I feal my Self unworthy of that blessed Enjoyment in my Soul to wards my Saviour which I Do Enjoy Daily and I ame astonished at his grace and goodness to wards me I must concude with Subferbeung my self you affectionate Father
Gershom Hall

1834 February 24 Tiffin from Luther Hall to Clark Webster

Dear Uncle
I received our kind letter by the probility of a gentlemen. wishing me to give you a history of my business I am very busy this evening I have but little time to devote in writing. After I left your house last fall I had considerable trouble, in the first place on my return here I foundered the little mare I had severely, which detained me a while on the road however I succeeded in exchanging her off and getting a match for my horse without much loss with which I arrived safely at Tiffin I had been here but a short time until my horse was stolen or strayed from me which caused me considerable trouble and expense at last i found him but it made him a dear horse to me however I have sold all my horses and for the future I can say a burnt child dreary the fire and let the speculation in horses alone - I am now a clerk in a store of this place for which I now have the small compensation of $10 per month, in addition thereto I was directly after my return here last fall appointed Deputy Clerk of the Court of Commons Pleas of this County, the Clerk has been absent for most of the time consequently the business has all fell into my hands, the profits of which has afforded me a deacent salary; how long I shall remain in this situation I am not able to say at present As you undoubtedly know that young men of my age are never satisfied with their situation this fact I am aware of but it is an old maxim and a true one that nothing ventured nothing gained and I am determined to do better or worse but if I should leave this place I will give you information of it I received a letter from home not long since stating they were all in good health but Grandfather his health was poor

You wanted to know if Father lived on the old place today; I believe they are all there yet, when they will move if ever I dont know, You wanted to know if my business would be in a right shape for my family to settle if I should be taken away it would they know all my business I received a line from Mr Reece in Erie he says it was so late last fall when those goods were liberated from the Sheriff he had no opportunity of shiping them and they are there yet. I want you to keep that money until your hear from again. I am in good health, hoping these lines will find you enjoying the same blessings Adieu
My respects all my family from your
Affectionate Nephew
Luther Hall
Clark Webster
PS Please write to me soon and let me know how you all do
LHall

1834 June 4 Borodino NY ltr from Luther Hall to Clark Webster

Borodino June 4 1834
Dear Friends
I now take pen in hand to relate to you the melancholy news of the Death of my mother She was taken with a fit of the num palsy on the 12 Day of may and Died on the 21 Day She was struck instantly helpless and continued so till She Died in her sickness She was Derainged the greater part of the time there was only but a few of my Fathers family to attend the funeral myself Esther and Lornhama – Father appears to take the Death of mother very hard he now appears to be more reconciled to her Situation he is very anxious to hear from you and wonders what can be the reason You have not written to him before now he tells me to have you write to him the reason you have not wrote before now Fathers health is very good for a man of his age and can walk a bout very well my family are all well at present hopeing this letter will find you and your family enjoying the Same blessing Father wishes me to tell you he want to have an opportunity to See you face to face So that he can have the pleasure of talking to you he Sent you a letter last February he wants you to write whether you received it or not Father has sutch an anxiety to see you I wish you would try to come and See him this Summer if you could not come let Some of your family come and see us No more at present I must conclude with Subscribing my self to your Brother
Luther Hall
To Clark Webster

1835 January 30 Ogden NY ltr from Joseph and Almira French to Clark and Namey Webster

Ogden January 30th 1835 Monroe Co NY
Dear uncle aunt and cousins one and all I was taken my pen to inform you of our health which is good at present hopeing these few broken lines will find you enjoying the same blessing it has been some time since we heard from you the last letter was directed I think to Zalmon we have not heard from grandfather Hall since you rote and we dont expect to hear from him any other way the winter has not been verry cold time two weaks sledding is about all we have had you wanted we should write more particular about our connection Zalmon lives in Byron genesee and you know father has moved back into his old house by Zalmon mr French thought zalmon could get along with him better than he could Rhoda lives in barre she has 6 children Sally now lives in Byron had 0 children Tam liveing in Ogden two miles south of the canal of ?Bason? and i have 7 children 5 sons and 2 daughters we have seventy six acres of land and enough coming? for the other to pay for this Mada lives in riga where she did when uncle was there has 3 children Chloe and Curtis live with Bradley and help carry on his farm they have 2 children Hannah Curtis live in batavia about 12 miles from fathers Delina is learning the taylors trade at byron ser? Elijah lives at home they are all doing verry well except Sally She seems to have hard luck Pond is a verry steady pious man but has no calculation i hope you will not delay riting as long as i have i have been wating for the younger ones to rite we want you to rite us often as you can mother often speaks of her dear sister but dont expect to see her again in this world i wish uncle and aunt could come and see all of us i think a journey would do aunt good farewell
Joseph and Almira
to Clark and Namey Webster

1836 June 28 Certificate Hiram H Webster elected Justice of the Peace Kingsville, Ashtabula, Oh

1839 July 8 Certificate Hiram H Webster elected Justice of the Peace Kingsville, Ashtabula, OH

1847 Feb 1st Bradford WI ltr from Ardavan Webster to Clark Webster

the first of month from Ardavan
Feb 1st 1847 Bradford

Dear Father

Yours of Oct 18th by H. H. Hart was not received until Dec. 15 or 16th we were waiting with much impatience the return of H. expecting letters from you by him Hearing nothing of his return I started for Beloit a distance of fourteen miles and going via brother Johns and found them deposited there I returned home seting apart Christmas in which to spend in writing to my friends East But on the evening of the twenty fourth Alphieus came into our shanty from brother johns just as we were siting down to supper and said aunt Sally was sick and wished us to come over I took my cane Set off immediately a distance nine miles leaving Alphieus to come with brother and sister the next day M. I was there a most four weeks as brother M informed you, during the first seven days and nights of which I had scarsely any rest - she had been confined to the house about a week had taken a few pills occasionally The day previous to my arrival they had called in a doctor Evens of the Homepathic school who left twelve powders which tasted some like the Acetate of lead, he would call again sunday Sundy came. But no physician Sister appeared som better but soon diarrhea set in which redused her strength fast-On tuesday morning Dr. More of Beloit called in on business just as I had taken my cane to go to Beloit after him he knocked at the door A Providetial occurance Again we were cheered with hope He thought the powders had done no hurt or good and said

she had the chill fever (She was taken with chills and they came on at a later hour each day) His treatment was as follows He left two morphine powders or which is the same thing alkali of opium one oz of Spts of Nitre six quinine powders about one hour before the chills came on give a morphine powder and one hour after put her feet into a hot bath let them remain half an hour and at the time of her puting her feet into the into bath give her fourty drops of Spt Nitre and twenty five drops each hour for four hours After which give a quinine powder every sixth hour untill she has taken three if she perspire freely well if not pursue the same course the next night Thursday diarrhea recommenced with pain A dark brown streak perfectly dry and shining coated on each sid appeard on the tongue the pain increased the evacuations grew darker untill they became a shining black It proved to be what I had feared (the piles) She suffered exceedingly for about eighteen hours when relief was had from sulphur and cream of tartar with the use of Stramonium ointment. She continued to gain so that the third day we moved her into the other room which was more comfortable it being lathed and plastered and having a fire place in it She gained very fast for to or three days till by some means she took cold about four oclock evening she complained of being cold I supposed it was in consequence of the rooms being cold as the fire had been turned down very low and told Jn if he would build up a fire to warm some things and put a round her I would go down but was not permitted to by an hour she still complained of being cold and when I heard John say why you sweat I was soon by her bed Sweat stood on her forehead

nose and upper lips and round her eyes were purple her cheeks were as cold as stone. We succeed in giting her warm early in the morning J. sent for the doctor but he did not come till the next morning He left four powders morphine and quinine mixed one to be given then one the next day one the seventh day to the last the next seventh day After the second powder I commenced giving the iron preparation of one (8 qt a dose) which was different from I ever saw before it looked like iron rust When I left her she was able to sit up from one to a half to two hours. She is now giting along quite well Your advice relative to office I am thankful for and shall andevor to adhear to it As to my health I try to be careful of it As to helping Lyman Webster and GG Gillett I shall do so as soon as I can git it I have offered my land for sail at quite a sacrifice that I might git the money for them. As to my secular affairs I have but little to say I know of no day in the past year that I have been idle though I see now how I could have betered myself had I known how things would turn my labor besides seeding and harvesting and threshing which costs me ten dollars more than my share of the wheat amounts to amounted to twenty eight dollars which I was obliged to expend on my own person. The rest of my time has been primarily devoted to the want of brothers M. and J They are not able to help me at present I think some of working my trade this year If I do not I shall take land or rent a farm. In your letter of the twentieth of December

you seem to have become somewhat discouraged in writeing to me or to us because you had not received any from us writen to you perhaps they are not worthy of an answer I hope dear father you will not harbor any such thoughts, for we are always glad to hear from you and should like to hear from you much oftener. As to the little doll or pratter? about which you inquire he is doing well He grew finally till Sisters sickness where on account of not haveing proper care or nourishment he grew poor but is now doing well again Alpheus has not been to school any since he has been in the territory he does not want to go one and a half miles to school which is the shortest distance he would have to go he does not like his book as well as I wish he did Royals leg is doing well it is most healed he can run about in it most as well as he can on the other He has the use of both knee and ankle the speedy cure is attributed to the mineral water the rest of the family are in usual health It takes a considerable of our time to git wood having to draw some of it ten miles brother J has four acres wheat sowed we all intend to sow more are less in the spring according to our time or means. We have not heard anything from Mr. Henry Hix since your letter was received the above letter dated Dec 20th you sent to Beloit I should not have know anything of it had it not been for my noticing it advertised in the Beloit Messenger Please remember my P. O. address Johnstown P. O. Rock County W. T. (Wisconsin Territory) Your letter of the 1st of January was received with much pleasure the 30th of the same month Brother M had waited me to you the week before in which were stated the reasons of our not writing before or sircumstances from you can infer the reasons I wish you would manage so as not to go a lone to the south farm we feel it is imprudent for you to go there for wood alone now in your advanced age and bodily infirmities we feel much worried about it

1847 Feb 7th Bradford WI ltr from AWWWebster to Clark Webster

Johnston, NY
Feby 18th

Andover
Received 1st March

Clark Webster
Kingsville
Ashtabula
Ohio

Bradford Feb 7th 1847
yes dear father I can truly say God is good on reviewing my life spent the past year Seeing how little I have don the cause of Jesus - its advancement in the world surrounded as I have been with motives for doing good - with mortality to admonish me of the shortness of me It astonishes me to think I am now permitted to communicate with you But it is God's mercy is past finding out it indureth long, the religion of Jesus or his will revealed to us in his word, believed and practiced will afford or give to its possessor peace of mind consolation and joy in the holy ghost How soon the world might be revisited or changed from its degeneracy to its pristine purity if the saints of the Most high God would live up to their profession How long O how long will the patience of God indure How should the sight of our eyes and the hearing of our ears affect our harts O that God would search his church or zion as with a little candle to purge out or cleanse it from its impurities that it may move forward in the accomplishment of that for which it was instituted I am glad my father is blessed with so worthy a companion Remember me to her with my best respects also to grand Papa and all inquiring friends, Sister S before her sickness commenced writing to you but says she dont know as she should ever be able to finish it Feb 14th When I commenced writing I intended to have answered according to my understanding of the Scriptures two questions viz

what is regeneration Where did they go to join the church and what was the experience they related which you proposed to me in some two or three previous letters but I am not able to now for want of time I cannot suppose my father puts these questions to me expecting I could give him any light upon them because I know your knowledge judgements and experiences relative to scripture questions is far superior to mine So I will only add in relation to the first question that regeneration means simply reproduction that is the act of producing anew Hence the scripture since the new birth born again or the receiving of a holy disposition As to the second question I have yet to learn that the desiples of of Christ in the days of the apostles went to any particular place to join the church but as to their experience it is very evident that they were almost constantly relating to the knowledge which by trial they had acquired of the nature and power of christianity not only to each other but also to the unbelieving Had I time I should like to write you my thoughts on experience christian experience It is now later bed time and I must close this letter by requesting you to send me in your next receipt for making Jacob salve It has been good sleighing here from the first day of January to the present but to day it commenced thawing very fast from the affects of sun and wind
Your affectionate son
A W. W. Webster
C. Webster
received the first of March

1850 Feb 23 Upper California

Upper California Feb 23 1850
Dear Wife and Children
I have now an opportunity of writing to you and sending the letter direct to New York I am alive and well But I do not know as my family are alive as I have not heard from you Since I left Home You have no doubt written to San Francisco but I have not been there and the Chances for Getting Letters from that place to where I am is very low I am now 200 miles from there up in the mountains In the day digging and am doing very well I am getting from 16 to 60 dollars per day I Shall Soon go onto Deer Creek and then I Expect to do better We were till the first of September getting to California And then the Company Seperated 6 of us went up to the head of the Sacramento Run a journey of about 300 miles but the trip was a failure and we come back to Sacramento City I then left the company altogether and started for the head of Deer Creek But the Rainy Season come on early this season and I could do nothing til the first of this month I am now fairly in the mines and I must stay til I get some gold I expect to be at home some time between the first of July and the first of September It was a long journey and I am here now and I do not want to go back with out some pay for my troubles. There is gold enough here and I am bound to have some of it before I leave if the Good Lord continues My health the country is healthy and there is no sickness here of any account. You doubtless heard of the ravages the Cholera made with the emigration last summer But we did not see a case of it I do not know anything about the rest of the company and I have not seen any of them since Oct I must cut short my writing as the man who carries this is now waiting for it

(missing the rest-only one page)

18-- October 26 Franklin NY from Michael Webster (Jr) to Clark and Naamah Webster

Franklin October 26th 18--
Dear brother and Sister
The respect I have for your well fare in this world Constrains me to wright to you having an oppertunity now present which I now embrace with the greatest anxiety to inform you that through the kindness of providence and the mercy of god we are all this side of eternity and enjoy the comforts of life and hoping through the goodness of god these few marks may find you and yours in life and health
Through a multitude of thoughts I shall venture to wright a few for your comfort and satisfaction in some measure tho I shall not wright so particulare as tho you had no chance to inquire but will inform you that I have not heard from you Since I bid you farewell which gives me great uneasiness however I now live in hopes of hearing from you soon hoping that you will not dispare of writing to me by my bro and I wish you to wright the Circumstances you are under in particular
I must inform you that thare has ben the outpouring of God's spirit on this town in some measure the season past and it is my earnist desire to no how the case stans with you in regard to your etarnal well fare I hope that you have not forgot your past conviction for we read that conviction worketh convartion I hope that you dont live neglectful of your duty in your family for it apears as thos there was a strict command for the heads of families to discharge there duty towards their children So I Shall leave you in the hands of a merciful god beging and praying that we may all live so of Spirrits we may leave this world with joy
This from your Brother,
Michael Webster
Clark Webster

the letter that I Received from you after the letter I send to you that my lawyer Osborn wrote for me gave and account of the Number of your Children and grand children I heard last year in Difernt paerts of the world that the people of the Lord met together to Hold meeting to Serve the Lord Number of Days at once and in so doing thousands of Sinners has been grought to the Knowlege of the Lord and Last Summer a great Reffermation took place in the Town Riseing of one Hundred Souls gained Elder Wardens Church in the Neighbour Hood and there a bouts where I live all ages gained from very old people Dawn to Children I attended the meeting I a Numbers of Days and it apeared to me like a heaven on earth and it apeated on my mind so mutch that I considered to be my Duty to go forward in baptism and gain the church
Gershom Hall

my son Loomy talks a coming up to see you sometime in the somer he means to by a farm somwhere in them parts he will be glad if you would inquir hav Land is a goon anaker with orchards and inprovements if any is thare that is good Land als hav new land that is goo anaker that is good he wishes you woold wright to him as sun as you can find out and I want to hear how you all are myself

[Gershom Hall]

• Text:
  Extent: 0.20 linear feet (1 container)
  Abstract: The collection consists of general and personal letters received by Clark Webster, a resident of Kingsville, Ashtabula County, Ohio; and, papers relating to other Kingsville inhabitants, including Lemuel Beckwith, Corinna Rice, and Hiram C. Webster.
  MS Number MS 1320
  Location: closed stacks
  Language: The records are in English