Updated 16 May 2014
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WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900
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Joseph RAYNES letters 1831-49 |
Joseph Raynes lived in Bonsall with 9 siblings (of whom 5 died
in childhood). In 1831 he emigrated to Baltimore in Maryland, USA.
but later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio because of bank riots in Baltimore.
Joseph wrote regular letters home to his family in Bonsall,
describing life in America. Eleven of these letters are held by
University of Maryland. One dated 1838 is held by the webmaster and
is described on this website.
Joseph Raynes died in 1849 in a cholera epidemic, and is buried in
Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.
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01
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Liverpool, to his family, May 10, 1831
addressed to Mr F. Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire
02
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Baltimore, to his family, Jul 06, 1831
addressed to Mr Francis Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire | Old England
03
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Baltimore, to his family, Feb 04, 1832
addressed to Mr Jacob Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire | Old England
04
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Baltimore, to his family, Sep 01, 1834
addressed to Miss Ann Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire |Great Britain
05
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Baltimore, to his family, Mar 04, 1835
addressed to Miss Ann Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire
06
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Baltimore, to his family, Apr 13, 1835
addressed to
07
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Baltimore, to his family, May 14, 1835
addressed to Miss Ann Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire
08
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Baltimore, to his family, Mar 24, 1836
addressed to Miss Ann Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire | Great Britain
09
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Cinncinati, to his family, Jun 01, 1838
addressed to Miss Ann Raynes | Bonsall | Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire | Old England
10
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Cinncinati, to his family, Sep 14, 1840
addressed to Miss Ann Raynes | Bonsall Nr Wirksworth | Derbyshire | Great Britain
11
Letter written by Joseph Raynes, in Cinncinati, to his family, Jul 24, 1843
addressed to Mr George S Ward | at Mr Pidcocks | Olive Township | Morgan County | Ohio
12
Letter from Jayne Cliff to Harriet Raynes on the death of Joseph Raynes, July 14, 1849
addressed to Miss Harriett Raynes | Bonsall nr Matlock Bath | Derbyshire
Joseph RAYNES papers
University of Maryland Archives
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Liverpool May 10 Tuesday, 1831
Dear Father and Mother Brothers and sisters and Aunt and Uncle,
I [w]rite to inform you I am now looking forward with great pleasure
as Mr. Forbes calls it 'a nice [exertion?] on the sea to Baltimore.'
I have engaged a birth [berth] in a vessel called the Russian-- it is
a brig[.] a brig is not very large vessel but Forbes tells me they are
the safest ships I could go in as this is a very nice one carries 300
and 50 tons[.] The name of the captain Simion Ryder He is a American
captain it was him that I engaged to with I did not go to them Rouges
at the American offices I saw the captain myself he will take me for
Four Pounds. I must bord [board] myself[.] It will cost me about 7
[bb-I'm assuming this is an abbreviation for pounds] altogether why
it’s no more expense then a journey to London. Today is Tuesday. I
expect to sail tomorrow or the next day. The captain was very friendly
with me he asked me in his cabbin where very few passengers that go in
the steerage are ever permitted to enter. We was talking a long time
together as he had a brother a saddler in America he said he was doing
very well but he his Ded [dead] now and has been some time
Page 2
A part of the ship belongs to the captain. I ham [am] now in Privet
lodgeings [private lodgings] and very comfortable. I have a room to
myself and very nice clean sort of people they are. It is at Mr. John
(?) (?) Hill Street North it’s by. She was inside I saw Mr. Barrow last
night. he tould me he should have sent you some work before now but thay
as not been any shell in the market but he as got some now and he will
help you to some very soon and I hope you will attend to it above all
things tend to your own business as soon as I saw Mr. Barrow he says
oh Mr. Raynes I was thinking about you the other day he asked me if I
could do business in the ivory comb way in America or anyway in is way
of business. I told him I would give it a trial. He tould me he would
get some samples ready against [today?]. It’s all in my way of business
Jacob—I took tea with Mr. Forbes. Mr. Forbes and his wife she is a nice
little creatcher [creature] she is a Laiday [lady] of [fullor?]. I think
Mr. Forbes such a good hearted young man. I was taking tea last night
two with Mrs. Forbes and she wishes aunt to look out for a good tempered
girl as a servant one that is teachable She would make her like her own.
She would not mind about her age if she was between 12 and twenty if she
is good tempered thay is only Mrs. Forbes and a gent who is a Clergeyman
and she keeps a little girl besides and she intends doing so as it will
not be a hard place and I am sure Mrs. Forbes will make a clever woman of
her if she will be a good girl.
Page 3
She does not mind her being a poor girl is she is a good girl and a mild
pleasant girl so you must write to Mrs. Forbes about this as she wishes
to have a girl from the country as she will be perfect. I left (?) at
Manchester. He did not get a situation will I was there but he had a
promis. I go him lodgings with a person I know at (?) where I know he
will be comfortable along with Needham than was (?) with (?) my fellow
(?) and his mother. If Mr. (?) should enquire of him you can tell them
where is Mr. Needham NH Hill Street (?). I saw Henry Frost. He was very
well and very busy. He was looking very well. His regard to his friends
of Bonsall. I am going to be busy looking up my raps today ready to take
on bord of ship so tomorrow I am in better spirits then ever of my
undertaking. I long to be on the sea. I will send you a paper where you
will see the Russian entered for loading. She is a nice little brig and
a new one if you see Mr. Greavel you can tell him what vessel I sailed by.
I have no (?) to visit to him (?) as my letter would be of no use to him
as I shall be gone so I must bid you all fair well. I am looking much
better than I was at Bonsall. Sea air agrees with me. I conclude with my
love to you all. You would be astonished the many going to America. With
my best wishes for all friends, Joseph Raynes
Back
My respect to Mr. (?) and hopes he is better. I hope you are all very well
and do not make yourselves uncomfortable about me as I know how to take
care of myself. Don’t you doubt [?] me. I shall always be able to make my
way (?) this (?) and at last be brought to another and a better (?) so
fair you well.
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Baltimore, July 6, 1831
My father and mother, brothers and sisters Aunt and Uncle.
It is a pleasure to me I have the opportunity of writing of my arriving
to Baltimore in good health and spirits. I left Liverpool May 14 by the
brig Russian. Captain Ryder. I went in the cabin. It cost me twelve
pounds. I was very glad I went in the cabin as there is a feeling which
universally pervades landsmen and landswomen when they first embark on
an element to which they are strangers. I had not been on the sea more
than two days before I under the painful operation for the weeks. Those
who go under the operation is cleaned the body and prepare them for the
change of climate. After I had been on the sea three weeks I began to
recover so that I could amuse myself. I had various sorts of amusements.
My brother passengers had a good stack of books and so had the Captain
as I amused myself with reading. Also with fishing. We caught a very
fine porpose. A porpose is a species of a wale. We also caught a large
quantity of mackerels. We caught some dogfish. They are about two feet
long. They have horns on their backs two inches long. You may think it
strange I amused myself by shooting [?] birds while crossing the Atlantic
Ocean. They were two gents and one lady in the cabin. The captain
indulged us with everything that his cabin would afford [?] and with the
different stories I herd. The time passed away very fast. We had a voyage
of six weeks. We had a very pleasant voyage but we had had winds which
made the passage longer. The little Russian plowed over about seven or
eight thousand miles before we arrived in Baltimore when we were on the
great bank of Newfoundland it was very could we ware then about three
hundred miles from Newfoundland we had contrary winds which drove us
about three hundred miles from the (??) we came back to Nova Scotia about
four hundred miles from Baltimore we the entered into the into Chesapeake
bay we had the pleasure of seeing land on both sides of the bay we had
calm in the bay for two days one of the other gents and myself we
prevailed on the captain to let down the boat for us to go in the woods
the captains with us the first objects I had in view was two beautiful
horses. They were very great [?]. I went up to them. We went on further
we saw two Negroes. They were loading a case [?] with tobacco. They
led us to a house which was the planters. We have to go through the
woods for two miles. The soile appeared to me to be of a sandy, sandy
nature. Some of the trees were very thick and very high. Part of the
land appeared to me as if it had been cultivated and gown (?) wild again
in the places they were thick trees cut down they were sawed about two
feet from the earth they were decaying very fast when we got to the
planters house we saw a lady of color. She very politely asked us in to
take some refreshments. It was a pleasant situation they had a many very
nice horses that sell for twelve pounds for in America would sell for
twenty in England a cow that will sell for five pounds in America would
sell for twelve in England We went about the farm and saw the slaves
plowing with two horses English plows are of no use in America The lady
[?] gave us some milk in some bottles and two bundles of cherries [?].
We bid her far well then we proceeded to the ship again with our prise
(?). We arrived in Baltimore on June 26. We were all very glad to be on
land again. It was Sunday when we landed. The captain took us that was
in the cabin to a hotel that he goes to. The hotel keeper would not
charge any thing [?] for our (?). I was at the hotel and one of the other
gents which was a (?) from Ireland for two days I immediately employed
by a saddler the morning after I arrived at Baltimore but I spent two
days with that young gent looking about me. They are a many elligant [?]
buildings in Baltimore two very handsome monuments are erected. One to
the memory of Washington the other erected to the memory of those that
fell at the battle at Cape Henry. Baltimore is a reagular [?] and well
built city and very large as is contains 80,000 in habitants.
Page 3
Now I will give you a description of my business [?] a saddler will
earn 7-10 per week and board at one of the most respectable boarding
houses for 14 [?]. A joiner will earn much the same (?). In short, all
good merchants will earn much the same. There is plenty of employ for
those that are industrious either for laboring men or tradesmen. A
laborer will earn 4 per day. You understand me this is (?) many will
have mansion [?] butter, soap, candles which is muh the same price as
in England. Flower is cheaper. It is now five dollars per barrel. Some
times it is as high as ten dollars. They is 106 pounds in a barrel and
a dollar is 4 and 2 [?] English money. Beef mutton veal 4 lb. or eight
sents and is as good (?) as they sell in any shop in London clothing is
very dear Young gents they give as much as twenty pounds for a (?) of
close cut all the people (?) very gay in America and wear the best
superfine cloth. Any sort of cotton is very cheap [?]. I will not
encourage neither can I discourage any one to come to America but I must
give to you to understand that America is subject to extreme heat and
extreme cold. Under such extremes some people will feel great (?)illness
and not agree with there constitution under such circumstances I cannot
write anyone to come to America. I must say I never enjoyed better health
then I do all this time. Indeed I look much better than I did when I was
at Bonsall [?] and I feel settled in life so far as the situation. I am
now pleased in I have to tell you I have began business for myself. I
have been very fortunate by going to a very respectable boarding house
as they was in England. Gent at the same house the name Hancock from
Sheffield. He is in the hardware business. He is some distant relation
to Mr. Hancock of Coulgrove that married Mr. Hobson relation to (?).
He is a stanch friend to me. He tould me thay was a shop to let opposite
the Indien [?] Hotel. The situation is as good as any in the town. He
tould me he new the gent that had the letting of it and if I wish to
commence he would go to is friend to see how much he would let it for
he came back and tould me fifty dollars. I directly went to the gent
and took it and commenced business for myself. My time is very short in
being in Baltimore but I have got a many friends from Mr. Hancock
recommendation [?]. Thay is some very fine saddler’s shops in Baltimore.
My shop is about the size of Mr. Wall’s of Worksworth [?]. I have only
the as thay is no house belonging to it. I am very comfortable at my
boardinghouse. Harvey [?] the young gent, is at the same boarding house
that came in the Russian. They is a clergyman also and five more gents.
I am very much respected. They pay great attention to my welfare as I
hope you will not make yourselves unhappy about me. I made a very handsome
saddle and bridle for a gent last week as I hope to get a comfortable
living and save money as a young tradesman when they are sturdy and
industrious they meet with good encouragement in America.
Back
I like America because a man may obtain a living by industry.
If I was at Bonsall again I would take the same step I have done.
I must tell you the Americans thay are a very industrious enterprising
people. Trades people have they shops open as soon as its light in a
morning and dark at night. No person must not think of coming to America
to live to be drunken and (?) for such people is thought no more of
then an Irish haymaker in England.
I must conclude now and bid you all farewell. I hope mother does not make
herself unhappy about me. I hope father is satisfied. I am in a land of
plenty. I hope sister Ann and Harriet may it be in my power to afford you
every comfort that his world can afford. I suppose comb making takes up
Jacob’s time as he as no time as he is no time to look after (?) and as
Benjamin has a young family he thinks of nothing but getting moneys.
Tell Mr. Frost [?] I often wish he could come and have a (?) with me.
I must conclude with my respects to you all and all who enquire of me.
Thay is many fine churches and chappels in Baltimore. Maryland is a slave
state. One-fourth of the people in Baltimore are people of color. Our
servant is a black woman likewise the boy. Most people have black servants
in Baltimore. I shall write to Mr. Lindsay soon and so am intimate friend
that wished to car of my welfare you must write to me as soon as you can
make it convenient. Last Sunday I herd a black man preach. I cannot send
you any amount of the interior of America as I have not been two miles
away of Baltimore.
I hope you will excuse my letter as I wrote it in haste as the (?) (?)
is going to New York. I have the opportunity of sending as it may be some
before I could send from Baltimore.
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Baltimore February 4, 1832
Dear Father and Mother Brother and Sisters Aunt and Uncle,
Having not received a letter from you I have my doubts weather you have
received the letter I wrote to you about my arrival in Baltimore. I left
Liverpool May (?) with a favorable breas and bade farewell to my native
country and all its endearments. I will give you a short account of my
voyage. If my paper was large enough it would be a very interesting one.
After I had been at sea a few days I began to be very sick and was sick
for some time but being a cabin passenger I had everything that the
captain's cabin would afford. Thay are a young gent from Ireland and
a gent and is laiday. We were all merry together and the six weeks we
were at sea passed away pleasant and had a very pleasant voyage but had
contrary winds which made the voyage longer about seven hundred miles
from Baltimore we had a calm for two days. Mr. Harvey and me we prevailed
on the captain to let down the long boat for us to go in the woods. The
captain went with us as soon as I went in the wood I saw two young horses.
I went up to them thay ware very quick we went one mile further and saw
three colored men. The captain them whear the planter lived. They told us
it was about at three miles of the captain asked them if the family was at
home one of the slaves answered yes massar day are all at home we had half
an hour gossip with them and then bade them farewell. The land that was (?)
about the wood was planted with tobacco but at length we got to the
planters' whear we met with kind treatment after gratifying our curiosity
we returned to the little big again and with favourable breas we sailed
away again and in a few days we arrived at the Port of Baltimore. The
captain took Mr. Harvey Esq. [?] and me to the hotel. He went to Mr. Harvey
and me we spent two days in seeing the beauties of Baltimore. I will now
give you a description if Baltimore. It is a regular well built city. It
contains eighty thousand inhabitants. Ten thousand of them are people of
color. Many fine buildings are erected at Baltimore many fine churches.
Christ Church and Saint Paul’s are elegant but the Cathedral is a heavy
clumsy building. W fine white marble monument erected in memory of
General Washington another erected in memory of those who fell at the
Battle of Cape Henry which is about three miles from Baltimore. Thay is
many fine springs of water as good as any in England. How wild writing
you a little about myself. I made one saddle for a saddler. When I was
finished I was determined to begin for myself. I took a shop in a very
promising part of the city of Baltimore after giving it a trial of two
months. I did not do so well as I wished to do. I left it and took
another in a different part of the city double the rent that I had before
where I am now getting a respectable livelihood and I hope to save money
any industrious may get a good livelihood in America but it is two often
that lose when people come to this country thay expect great things
without putting their shoulder to the wheel. That is a mistake with such
people. I assure you people must work hard who come to America to get a
livelihood and thay is another thing I will not forget to mention it is
two often the case with such people to take the decanter in hand two
often as it is the custom in this but the bar keeper and the carr keeper
hand him over a glass and the decanter and the customer makes is (?) to
is one liking. I work very hard myself. I have one journeyman at work.
I pay him one pound sixteen shillings per week English money and when
days are longer he will want more then that is name is Rose he comes
from ?othel 14 miles from Nottingham. Joseph (?) drives coach for his
wife's brother at ?othel he is in good ealth and is wife and child fi
you will name it to any of the Daybanks [?] at Cromfon thay will forware
it to is friends at ?othel. I have another man works for me I gave him
eighteen shillings per week but he works peas work now. I don't employ
him regularly. You see the difference in America etween a good workingman
and in different one people are paid in this country according to their
aility. I have got a nice little fellow as an apprentice. He came over
in the same vessel I came in. (?) are very poor English people from
Oxford. I pay his bord, cloth him send him to night school until he is
twenty-one. He tells people he's very fond of Boss which is Mr. I want
another apprentice. I am about (?) one is (?) one well off. If I take
him I shall have a (?) with him. Tell Mr. Frost if I had his George I
would make a saddler of him or Mr. Chadwick's oldest boy. Either of
them would suit me. I have got a very nice shop. I pay 22-10 a year.
This is English money I stated to you. I bord with an English gent. I
pay him about 11 per week for my bord. I have (?) food three times a day
and everything in season. A gent that I am (?) with he as offered me is
gig and horse of any time when I wish to take a ride out. The (?) I make
to him I give his harness a pull together with a (?) and the Yankees
won't walk the Baltimore days [?] don't like to be late. Yankees they
say it's the Boston people that are Yankees. Dear brothers as thay is a
comb maker bord at the same house I (?) can send you the following prices
of combs and shells in this country. Your combs long on the back (?) 4-10
American horns reach to (?) them one with another as thay come from the
hide Spanish horns 11 to take them one with another the longest size
tortoise shell come with three pieces. A 2-6 quilled side comes long 5-8
te pair best quality (?) shell in long the pair the price of shell east
India shell 4-10 pound. Spanish (?) shell 3.10 per pound (?) (?) wages
from 18-28 a (?) man will earn 27 per week 2-6 per day for making
tortoiseshell side combs in 4 long 11 for making a day large back combs.
The reason whell is so dear is this country is very (?) to be met with
comb maker have not been more than half employed this winter in
consequence of shell being so scarce comb makers have been (?) in this
country as thay can make combs cheaper in America than thay can in
England. I can buy anything in my line of business cheap in America as
in England as it will not answer m purpose to send to England for anything
(?) one had much cheaper I sell saddles at one pound two shillings in
America like to pay everything as cheaper as they can and that tradesman
that sells the cheapest gets the Yankey (?). I sell (?) at 4-6. I sell
cart harness for 1-16. Bridle (?) harness
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore September ?, 1834
My Dear Father& Mother & Sisters Uncle& Aunt
I received your long book for letter dated June 25th on the 25 of August
posted at New York by Mr. Porter. I was overjoyed at seeing a letter
from those I hold most dear. You judge my feelings on opening the letter
to read the melancollyness it contain. I sympathize much with you in my
being from you in such a trying hour by gods will be done in even stage
of life we are in death we are ever in jeopardy and not an moment our own.
Thay are but to say a days march before us at the call of the same voice
we must all obey and who knows the hour that call may come. To prepare
for that ought to be our constant study. I was very much grieved on hearing
of my dear fathers illness but hope by this time you are all enjoying good
health and the greatest happiness the world can bestow according to our
misfortunes it is true the Almighty has visited us with a heavy hand but
who are we—we are the work of his Hand & at his command it is a sin to
murmer lest greater misfortunes befall us as the burden is never made to
heavy for the bearer. I pray myself for fortitude to bear my part had I
forseen what whould have happened I should not left my native land &
willingly would I now Return if I did not see good prospects for Buesnefs
I would like to return home having a good connection & buesnefs on the
Inorefs [?] it would b the Extremity of folly to give up a prosperous
business for I know not what as with my present prospects I hope in a
few years to visit you all at Bonsall and have it in my power to afsist
(assist) you and be a comfort to you. I hope yet to spend a many happy
years with ou and not long from hence since las new years I have not had
lefs than three jouramen [?] and sometimes four and five. I expect to
employ more next year. Praise the Almighty I live and have my health.
My poor little boy Frederick died last 21 October being ill a long time
and cost me a deal of money but he was a good boy had he had good health
he would have been very valuable to me by this time. I have had several
since but have not been to my min (part of page missing). have meet with
a good one now I hope at least to all appearance he his a much smarter
boy tha any one I have (?) had he bords with his father and mother. I
yet bord with Mr. Young and am very comfortable. Dear sisters you seemed
to be alarmed about war in this country I have seen no danger at preasant
in this country it is true we have had some disturbances in the South but
nothing alarming as lends to war. I think we can agree with ourselves if
an attempt is not made by aforeseen for there is no other appearance but
peace. The President refuses to recharter the bank of the United States
and has moved from thence the public money causing that Institution to
(?) in there loans from the local banks and has caused several to close
in this city Two banks and the Maryland savings Institution but I was
very fortunate for one was my favourite bank I had intended to keep my
banking account there but though the interest of a particular friend I
moved my account to another bank which I think was verry lucky. I have
enjoyed verry good health since I last wrote but I expect you heard by
Mr.Fabberer from a letter sent to Mr. Smith of Southwell by Mr. Roose
my foreman requesting Mr. Smith to forward to Derby a note to state that
I was well and everything seemed prosperas with me he is still with me
and in good health if you have any chance to send to Derby request
Mrs. Fabberer to send a note to Mr. Smith Crown Hotel to inform him his
sister Mr. Roose has had a verry severe illnefs (illness) but has we hope
got the turn for the better and hope getting out of danger. You may
assure her friends from me there has been nothing wanting in any shape
of attendance in the case of her illness. Her children are both well.
I hope you will give my warmest respects to all those kind hearted
friends who have tended there and to my dear father and poor sister
Grace and family hoping Providence will assist you all and double
compensate all who has been interested in your assistance in such a
trying time I feel much for my dear father (?) him I grieve much for
him beg of him to be composed. I hope yet more to behold him on this
side of the (?) ad get to be a comfort to you all tell my dear mother
I am greatly distressed for her. My dear sisters love attend and comfort
our dear parents I hope the Lord will give you grace and support you to
as so, as it has pleased an all wise Providence to leave you as there
only comfort in regard of attendance do to neglect them I would send you
home handsome presents of anything I am in hopes in a short time to have
a more favourable opportunity to send to you something I shall store up
for you all on that side the Atlantic ocean could it of been order by
our (?) maker for me to have been with you who in time of trouble judge
the pain I was struck with an opening my letter at the top of my two
dear brothers and on reflection the situation of my dear parents and
family I meadeatly (immediately) made my will that will not shorten my
days as I have chosen good and punctual [?] trustees. I hope dear sisters
you all will do the same and as brother Benjamin son Jacob has hired more
than his equel share I hope my father and uncle will consider. Dear
sisters you ought to be remembered for the time you have been attending
and comforting our near aged parents and I should hope thay will no so
Deaer father and uncle I hope as an act of justice and Christianity you
will leave my dear sisters well provided for as brothers children are
both boys and pretty well left already you will leave all in your power
to my sisters and myself of you think proper to leave a share to
Benjamin children my sisters ought to have that for there life as I am
yet but young and may yet have a family of my own at some date but there
is no prospect of that at preasant it may not be in my power to as much
for them and they will find but cool treatment from any one thay be any
way dependent on which I hope you will consider from the years thay have
toiled thay do not diserve to lay under any control at third age as for
me I hope you likewise consider what expence I have ever been to you and
what I have likewise had from your property. I hope you will consider me
worthy of my full share with my sisters so I have been industrious and
saving for many years as Benjamin youngest son is not left so well of as
his brother when he is old enough to learn a trade I should like to take
him and bring him up and so something handsome for him and make him equel
with his brother in regard of property and education if it is the almighty
will to spare his health and mine I should like to have him when he is
about nine years of age so as I could send him to some good boarding school
before he is fit for a trade I can easey send for him by any vefsel
(vessel) sailing from here to Liverpool and have him put in the care of
the captain he will be better care taken of than with any other person
that might be coming to this country. The gentleman I have chosen as
executor of my affairs in case of sudden death is a Catholic Priest (?)
gentleman that is considered the most punctual and attentive to affairs
of that kind both Protestants as well as his own church he makes no
distinction as to that he permits and receives great quantities of
property to and from all parts of Europe for sixteen years past he has
had no (?) or mistake of any property intrusted in his care his name is
the Read Alexius Joseph Elder at the samanary Baltimore if you have any
fiends going to Liverpool call at Brown & Sons there he is well known as
he always (?) through thire firm. Dear sisters I will now give you an
estimate of my last will dated September 1834 when all my just debts are
paid at my disease (decease) . I wish for the remainder of my property
to be sold and with al my shares and claims of property coming to me
from my Father Frances Raynes and Uncle Isaac Raynes of Bonsall in the
county of Derby Europe to be equally shared between my two sisters Ann
Raynes and Harriet Raynes at the discese of my Father and Mother to be
at there disposal and never to be at the disposal of any husband of any
one else without there consent. Give my respects to Mr. Marsh. I am glad
Mr. Marsh is in good health my respects to enquiring friends. I hope you
will let me have an answer to this as soon as you receive it as I shall
be anxious to know how you all are in health.
Back
As yesterday it seems to me when with you I did live such days again. I
never can see for them what would I give now pleasures past and troubles
here in such a short a space. Two brothers gone I loved so dear and none
to fill there place.
Dear Friends, what of us there is left lets pray for peace and love tho
of our brothers were beress [?]. We’ll meet in heaven above.
Joseph Raynes
For I am from my native home and all that I hold dear most willingly
to you I would come my mind is always thire. But here a time I must
remain how long I cannot say to you I hope to come again one look for
Happy Day.
Dear Father and mother sisters uncle and aunt I conclude with my best
love to you all from your affectionate
Joseph Raynes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore March 4, 1835
My dear Father and Mother and Sisters Aunt and Uncle,
It is long since I received the letter from you which contains the
Mellencolly news of the accident of Brother Jacob and Benjamin. I wrote
a letter in answer to it and I hope you have received it safe. I was in
great hopes I should have received a letter from you before this date as
I am anxious to hear if Father is better. I hope he is quite recovered
by this time I hope my dear mother Is in perfect health I know dear
father and mother it has been a great trial to us all but we ought not
to complain as it was the will of the all wise and merciful Creator of
all mankind I greave much for you indeed all of you it wants afford [?]
me much pleasure if I was near you that is if I could had to your
happiness in this world but I can tell you I (?) not forget you in my
prayers and I am sure you do not forget me in your. I hope dear sister
Ann you are in perfect health and endeavours [?] to bare the trials of
this world with a Christian fortitude. I know you will at all times
endeavour to make Father and Mother as comfortable as circumstances
will (?). It would afford me much pleasure if it was in my power to send
you a present that would had to your means of making every comfort to our
dear aged parents. Dear sisters I hope you will not think me unkind or
ungenerous to you. It is my utmost wish to realize something that will be
the means of you living independent of the (?) of the world. Since I
wrote you last I have enlarged my establishment which requires more
capital. I have employed four workmen all winter and I have one boy he
was brought to me last January. I think I sent you word in my last letter
that my boy Fredrick died in October 21 the same month brothers died.
He was a great help to me you will be surprised at me living the life of
a bachelor as I have rented the house and shop all together I have plenty
of room to look for myself and to sleep in my house not only that I
consider it much safer as thay is a set of evil disposed men going about
burning people’s property the same as in England when I left a building
was set fire to and burnt down that cost sixty thousand dollars and a
few days after the courthouse fire was set fire to and burnt down. It
was a noble building and the pride of the city and many other (?) as well
last week thay was a livery stable burnt down thay was four of the firemen
died and several others verry much hurt in consequence of a wall fawling
upon them. I was at the (?) last Friday. Our troop was (?) on that day.
I have got part of my stock insured. I insured one thousand dollars my
stock is worth saving a part if a fire should take place I am always kept
very busy at work and dear sisters I hope with my (?) and industry it
will be in my power
Page 2
to compensate you for your kind attention to Father and mother and uncle
and aunt. Business as been verry well this winter then it is general
and money verry scarce but I look forward to as a merry time business
this spring it has been a verry hard winter with us the river is frozen
up at this time I should like to know If Grace is willing to let her son
Isaac come to this country for me to educate and to give him a trade. I
should like to take him when he is about (?) years of age or sooner if
his mother would let him come to this country. I suppose they are grown
two fine boys I will do all that lays in my power for them both I hope I
shall be spared to do so dear sister Harriet I verry often think of you
and hope you are now enjoying the best of health I hope you won’t forget
me in your prayers as I verry often think of you in mine. I hope you
will not neglect writing as soon as you receive this. I wish you to write
often. Let no opportunity slip as I often wonder how you manage with the
cows and the land. let me advise you not to gibe up the two Hill sides at
the sale bottom as I think thay are so handy for you and by no means give
up
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore April 13, 1835
Dear Father and Mother
I wrote this letter on the Early part of March. I neglected sending
sending it thinking I should have an answer from you before this time
a gentleman called to se me at my store last week. He and tell me is
name but in the hurry of business I forgot in but Mr. Clag can tell you
who he is as he was acquainted with Mr. Clags Aunt at Matlock and knew
by brothers he is about to return to England verry soon he is now at
New York He told me he should return to Baltimore again and business
and that he would call to see me the next visit. If he calls on me I
will endeavour to sent you my likeness [?] by him which I am sure you
will much praise. Thank God I have enjoyed the best of Health since I
have been in this country.
Back
I am verry busy at this time ad I work verry hard. I [?] with my love
to you all from your affectionate son and bother,
Joseph Raynes.
1835 this letter was sent of 13 of March 1835. Read it. 13 of May
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore May 14, 1835
My dear Father and Mothere sisters Uncle and Aunt,
It is with a feeling with great pleasure I have this opportunity of
writing by my friend Mr. Hancock, the first gentleman I became acquainted
with at Baltimore he as been living at New York for some time and as
returned to Baltimore on a visit for a short time he called to see me
this morning I was verry much pleased to see him. Mr. Hancock was verry
much interested for my welfare when I first arrived at Baltimore that
is to say in introducing me in the ways and customs of this country.
My dear Father and mother, It is four years today since I left Liverpool
I can assure you I have made the best use of my time and money as far as
circumstances would adjust but I hope I shall make better progress this
next four years so as I shall have it in my power
Page 2
be some assistance to you all I would send you some money at this time
if it was in my power to assist you in paying the expences of my late
brothers. It as been a great trial to me and to all of us but thay are
gone and at peace with their maker. I hope and trust that my dear Father
and Mother will be composed on their account as it was the will of th
all wise and mercyfull creator of all mankind and thay you my dear
sisters for your troubles of this world with a Christian fortitude Don’t
be dissatisfide [?] at the being so far from you as I hope it is for a
good and wise purpose I am all ways left verry busy and I work verry hard
I have made money since I have been in business. It is my wish as soon
as I have some money to spair out of my business and that will be about
nine months from this date if it pleases God to spare my health to do so
I shall send you it in this way send you a check of Exchange and as soon
as you receive it take it to the bank at Wirksworth and as soon as they
have an answer from the
Page 3
Time [?] the check is drawn on you will get the money without any
difficulty Mr. Hancock will do me the favour to (?) this letter himself.
You will have an opportunity of hearing by him how I am situated and how
I conduct by business. As he knows my concerns he will tell you how much
comfortable I should be providing sister Ann or sister Harriet was with
me to keep house for me. My dear sisters it is my wish to provide for
you to add to our means so that you can live independent of the (?) of
this world. I can tell you dear sisters. I have had to labour under many
disadvantages that you know not to establish mself as I have done
notwithstanding that I feel conscious to be a comfort to you and to my
late brothers children if Grace will let me have the youngest boy Isaac
I will send him to some good boarding school and give him a trade if he
should fancy my business which is as good as most other trades if we are
both spared it may be the means of me visiting you at Bonsall as soon as
I have made him fit for business Mr. Evins [?] is the gentleman’s name
I mentioned in my last letter I sent you word I would send you my
portrait by him but I cannot well spare the money to have it done at this
time not only that it would not be dry enough to send as he will set out
for to sail to England next month
Page 4
I sent to you in my last letter not to give up the two hill sides as I
think they will be as handy for you to put the cows in I hope this will
find Father and Mother and you all in perfect health as I am myself give
my kind respects to Mr. and Mrs. Frost [?] and family and enquiring
friends I often think of my Richmond Friends I am sure Mr. Chapman will
be very attention to your affairs at Richmond I hope you will lose no
time in writing as I am conscious to know how Father and Mother is and
all of you. I remain our affectionate
Joseph Raynes.
P.S. Mr. Hancock will be on a visit at Bakewell and will go forward
to (?) at that time he will visit you at Bonsall and stay a few nights
with you if he as time to spare he will be much please with the (?)
part of my native home from your to
Joseph Raynes.
I in close you a lock of my hair and one ten cents pease and one
five cent pease.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore March 24, 1836
My dear Father and mother Sisters Uncle and Aunt,
I hope you will excuse not answering you letter sooner. Your last letter
I received was dated soon after the arrival of Mr. Hancock. I am much
obliged to him for handing to you the letter I sent by him I must tell
you I am enjoying the best of health and spirits indeed you never see
me look so well as I do at this time I thank heaven for the blessings
bestowed on me and my God grant is blessings especially to those I have
to many times offered my petition my (?) aged Father and Mother and
Sisters Uncle and Aunt, the orphan, My dear friends let us leave my
dear departed brothers in the hands of the Most High who his great and
merciful to all mankind. It is with a feeling of great pleasure that I
have to inform you that I have changed my situation in life to one
more (?) then myself I did intend writing to you last Christmas the
reason why I did not do to I had a prospect in view and I have now brought
my mind (?) on the business that is I am about to move from Baltimore
to St. Louis in Missouri. I am acquainted with a gentleman at St. Louis
of the name of Amos from Baltimore he is carrying on the (?) business
in the city of St. Louis. My reason is for moving from Baltimore since
the banks failed in Baltimore. Confidence is lost consequently makes
money scarce and great competition they was a (?) Riot in Baltimore
last August on account of the banks which as been a great injury to
Baltimore is was reportd they was not less then fifteen people shot
dead and about forty wounded the amount of property damaged (?) the
mob was not less than fifty thousand dollars. They is a great number
of respectable families moving (?) to the western country this spring
and if it pleases God to spare my health and my dear wife’s we shall
go two on the First or second week of April next. My dear sisters you
sent me word in your last letter I received wrote soon after M. Hancock
handed to you the letter I sent by him that they was a small share of
my late brother Jacob’s money coming to me. My dear sister Ann I will
make you a present of the half of that which is coming to me by my late
brother Jacob and my dear sister Harriet I will make you a present of
the other half of course Father and Mother will require the interest as
long as they lie it is my dear wife’s wish I should do so. I hope my dear
Father and Uncle will secure Ann and Harriet with my share of property
as long as they live as it is far from my wish to deprive them of even
one shilling of my Fathers or Uncles property because I am sure they are
deserving of being well provided
Page 3
for and I hope that kind feeling my dear parents and sisters will at all
times attend to the happiness and welfare of all of us I hope you will
not despair of ever seeing me again. I hope I shall in a fewe years be
able to take a trip to Bonsall They are Building (?) at New York to sail
from New York to Liverpool in twelve days. I hope you are all enjoying the
best of health I was verry much pleased that my dear aged father has
recovered is well as go down (?) with Mr. Hancock. My dear sisters I hope
you will pay every attention to my dear father and Mother Uncle and Aunt
my late brother Benjamin boys must be grown two fine boys. I hope Grace
continues to do well. If I should take a trip to Bonsall in a few years
I hope she will consent for me to have her little boy Isaac. I wish I had
him at this time. I intend writing to you soon after I arrive at St. Louis
as I hope you will make yourselves quite satisfied concerning my adventures
through life I have not seen Mr. Bohman I should have been much pleased to
have seen him ad as I am about going to the city of St. Louis so not expect
to see him at Baltimore you will have no (?) to write to me until you
receive another letter from me and that shall not be long. First asking
(?)leave they as been a very severe winter this winter and as King Phillip
of France as agreed to pay the money now to the United States. Thay is no
danger of war between the two Kingdoms with my love to you and may health
and happiness attend all of you with my respects to enquiring friends
from you affectionate
Joseph Raynes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 1
Cincinnati June 2 1838
My Dear Father & Mother Sisters Uncle & Aunt
I hope you will excuse me not answering your letter sooner I have been
waiting expecting a Gentleman going to England as he would favour me by
taking those books safe but it is now uncertain if he goes to England for
some time. My Dear Sister I will send you the books the first opportunity
my sisters Ann & Harriet I am often thinking of you and offer my Prayers
to Almighty God to defend & protect you through all your difficulties I
am verry sorry your money was not deposited in safer hands get all you
can & don't let it trouble you you will get through the world with oute
it if I had been in England Mr Chapman would not have trifled with you in
the trifling manner in which he did Every one of the Raynes family depended
on Mr Chapman acting the Part of Justice if I had been in England at the
time Mr Chapman was acting the Rascal with you you should have sued Mr
Topham & have made him Paid the money or given security, I am very much
obliged to Mr Mills for the favours & kindness he has favoured you with
I hope you have let the other Part of the mill by this time you did not
send me word if you disposed of my late brothers machinery & working tools
I ham verry glad you mannage verry well with your farming Business I often
think of my aged Parants & Uncle & Aunt I am verry sorry Uncle as had
so severe attact of the Influenzy I hope you all are now enjoying the best
of health at this time I thank God Mrs Raynes and myself is enjoyinn the
Best of Health I think you never see me look better I am doing verry
Page 2
verry well in Business at Cincinnati considering the dullness of the times,
I yet confine myself to a small business I am now employing two journeymen
I have one aprentice I shall take a nother as soon as as times gets better
I work verry hard myself as I allways did the Banks are not paying Specie
for their own notes yet & its uncertain when thay will do praps not untill
next Spring which causes great derangement in the Currency, I had the great
pleasure of having a Verbal Intercourse with Mr John Burton & Miss Jane
Burton thay stayed but a few hours at Cincinnati Miss Jane Burton took
breakfast with me & Mrs Raynes, she tould me I had a nice Lady for my wife
I took Miss Burton to see St Pauls Church & other fine buildings she
thought Cincinnati a verry fine city she observed of the streets being
wide & reagular & of the shops being verry hansome & as fine & fashionable
as in any town in England she tould me she would like to live at Cincinnati,
where Mr John Burton & Mr Robert Burton is living is fifteen hundred miles
from Cincinnati a Gent tould me Mr Robert Burton was worth twenty thousand
pounds if not more they have a steam boat running from Cincinnati to
Galleaner Captain Robert Burton tould me the boat cost them building about
five thousand pounds the steam boats are constructed so as thay carry a
great deal of frieght and many passengers As Mr Robert Burton son Robert
which is Captain of the boat he was married to a Lady at Cincinnati a few
months ago If I had one of my late brothers boys I would raise him to my
business its no more for one of them to leave their Mother than for me to
leve mine My dear sisters The Revd Mr Johns our worthy minister lent me
one of his books to read the title of it was
Page 3
The Rise & Progress of Religion in the Soul by Philip Doddridge DD since I
commenced writing this letter I have seen Captain Robert Burton he tould me
that is Aunt Jane was married on the beginning of last month to a gentleman
of the name of Bonsall he is a native of Yorkshire he as been in America
aboute four years he is in the smelting business at Galena I told her when I
saw her at Cincinnati that she would soon get married in America, Mr & Mrs
Bonsall is going to reside aboute twenty miles from Mr John Burton Mr John
& Thomas Burton is engaged in the smelting business at Dubuque that is
about twenty miles from Galena Captain Robert Burton tould me to send is
love to his Grandmother & to all is Bonsall Friends one of the Mr Morliges
call to see me last (I am verry much pleased you have such a worthy
minister at Bonsall) week they have a nice farm a bout seven miles
from Cincinnati Old Mr Morligues is still living Mr & Mrs Orange & me &
Mrs Raynes has an invitation to go oute & spend the day at Mr Morliges we all
intend driving oute in a carriage togeather in a few weeks the youngest of
the Miss Morliges died aboute a year ago, Mr Orange that is Mrs Berresford
daughter Elizebeth was confined of a fine boy about two months a go Mr
Orange is a good customer of mine he bought a bout twenty pounds worth of
saddlery of me week before last Mr samuel Berresford is a verry good
customer since I have been at Cincinnati I have sould more than Fifty
pounds worth of saddlery to people from Baltimore that was customers
to me at that city Mrs Beresford is seventy four years of age she was at
my house last week she says she thinks so much of me because I came from
Parwich we had a Grand Consert of Sacred Musick at St Pauls Church last week
to assist in defraying the expense of the organ Mrs Raynes & me was there
I paid nine shillings of English money for two ticketts I wished you had
been with me you would
Page 4
have been quite delighted I have now some good news to send you I see in
the Paper to day the Panks are now in in a prospers way for paying specie
now we shall soon have good times in America I see in the Papers the young
Queen will be crouned this month, give my kind respect to Mrs Flint & to
Mrs Batement & Mr Frost & family Give my respects to Mrs Burton & tell her
I beleve Jane has got a verry good husband My respects to Mrs Marsh &
family & to my Bonsall friends I hope you will write as soon as you can as
I am anxious to know how you all are I suppose the boys are grown fine boys
by this time if I had them here I could do better for them than Grace can
do for them at Bonsall Give my Respects to Grace I must now conclude
Friday evening June 8 Past nine tomorrow is the day the Bonsall Club People
march my dear sisters you must keep up your spirits & you most write to me
as soon as you can can make it conveanent I will Promise you I will not
delay writing so long the next time Mrs Raynes joins with me in love to you
all I remain my dear sisters & parants your affectionate
Joseph Raynes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cincinnati September 14, 1840
My Dear Mother and sisters and Uncle and Aunt,
Your welcome letter came to hand April 14th dated July 19, 1840. My dear
sisters it affords me great pleasure you are enjoying good health as
my dear wife and myself is enjoying the same blessing. You will be very
much pleased to hear it. I often think of my poor afflicted mother and
uncle and aunt and Mrs. Flint—My dear sisters I am satisfied you will
pay every attention to them that lays in your power. Mother wished to
know if I had any children. We have no little Rayneses. I have got a
verry nice sharp woman for my wife. She does everything to make me
comfortable and to assist me in my business. Mrs. Raynes often says if
she had Jacob with us he should have every comfort this world can afford.
Indeed I wish to have him with us as I think in about another year if
all is well with us I shall have an opportunity of sending for him. It
would be a pit if I should die and not have one of them to take my
business. I am very comfortable situated and get a good share of business
We shall do a good business after the elections at Cincinnati. They always
is a great panic in the money market before the elections and it is so
now the elections will be over and Christmas and then I expect we shall
have General W. Harrison for President in place of Mr. Martin Van Buren.
General W. Harrison promises to give us a better currency for that reason
I shall vote for him if I live. You say how high flower is in England.
You will never have a large loaf of bread for a little money in England
until the corn law is repealed. The Americans think a great deal of
Queen Victoria they think she is a very good woman from what I read.
Page 2
In the English papers they is a a great deal of (?) in England. I wrote
a short letter to you last April. I sent it by a Mr. Tearn [?] of Derby
about two weeks before I received yours. I am very glad you have settled
all my late brothers business it as been a great trial to you. I hope
my dear sisters you will keep up your spirits under all your afflictions
the Lord knows all things and to his will we must submit. I was very much
grieved to hear of the death of Mr. Marsh. Tell Mrs. Marsh I sympathize
very much with her. I could not avoid shedding tears when I read of is
death in my letter give my kind respects to Mrs. Burton and tell her I
have not seen any of her family since I wrote last but I have herd by a
gentleman thay are all well. I believe Jane as got a very good husband
and doing very well. I have been expecting John at my house ever since
last May but he (?) is (? at St. Louis this summer. As now I do not expect
to see him at Cincinnati until next spring. Tell Mrs. Dosey I have not
seen her son Jacob at Cincinnati since I wrote last. He told be he
should go and settle at (?) whereas Mr. Robert Burton is living if he
could sell his place near Philadelphia but I think he is not sold it. He
would have call to have seen me if he had. Mr. William Tomison he is
living at (?). I received a letter from him a few weeks ago. He wished
me to send is kind respects to is Bonsall friends. He is in the glass
business. He bought a farm about a year ago. He as got two fine children,
a boy and girl. Give my kind respects to Uncle and Aunt and that I hope
they have a good tenant for the house. I would think they would soon get
a good tenant because they rent it so low I think twelve pounds per year
was the rent. My dear sisters, I hope you have had a better harvest this
summer then you ha last. We had a very fine spring and a very fine summer.
Thay has been crops with an abundance. Thay is plenty of fine peaches in
market at about five shilling per bushel. I wish you was hear with us to
have some of them.
Page 3
I am very much surprised at Mrs. Manfield consenting to go to (?) land
it is a very fine country but I think she will not like to live in such
a new country. All kinds of provisions is very low with us and of a good
quality. My dear sisters let me now acquaint you with the custom in this
country among the Wesleyan Methodist they have got very good churches and
very large ones. One Methodist Church in this city will hold three
thousand people but let me tell you they hould camp meeting once a year.
Mrs. Raynes and myself was at one about three weeks ago. Thay was about
fifteen thousand people there. I never saw such a quantity of people at
a place of worship before. It was held about seven miles from the city
in the woods the Methodist stay and camp out about seven days and nights.
We took a ride out on the Sunday thay was five sermons preached on that
day you may think it was a very disorderly place but thay was as much
order kept as if it was in a place of worship in the city I thought of
my poor old Father if he had been living how delighted he would have been
if he had been with us. My dear sisters I have heard Mr. Johns our
minister at the (?) church preach on the coming of Christ. Mr. Johns is a
very good man and a great scholar and great orator. I am sure you would
be delighted to walk to Church with us to hear him preach. Tell Jacob and
Isaac thay must be good boys and that I was bery much pleased with the
specimen of Jacob’s writing. Tell them both if (?) thay shall both have
trades. My dear sister Harriet you must not think me unkind in not sending
you the Finey’s revival lectures. Finey is a Methodist preacher and he as
change is sentiments since he wrote that work. A preacher told told me is
work was not Orthodox. Thay is not one I believe in this city at any
bookstore. It was quite a favour that I got Mr. Haslyok to take one. The
other one and it is troubling Mr. Haslugh because he as got so many
patterns to take in is trunk in is own buiness.
Back
Mary Raynes on the hill and John Houldbrouch and wife are all living.
I expect tell Mr. Houldbrook I have worn out those night cups he gave
me. Give my respects to them. Tell widow Massey tobacco is very cheap in
this country. They is very large fields covered with it and is a
beautiful plants. Give my kind respects to Mr. and Mrs. Frost and family
and Mr. Chadwick and Mrs. Batemey (?) and enquiring friends at Bonsall
gibe my kind respects to Grace and tell her I hope the boys will go
regular to school. Is Mr. Harding living. Give my kind respects to Robert
and (?). I almost forgot to send you word Mrs. Raynes as took a poor
orphan girl to raise. She is six years of age and she calls me father and
Mrs. Raynes mother. She goes to school.
The hymn book are much the same as those in England in the Parcel we use
the English common prayer book the psalms are some of them a little
different we do not use a separate hymn book in our church . I remain
my dear sisters you ever affectionate brother. I conclude with Mr. Raynes
Kind regard to you all. Give my love to mother and uncle and aunt and
except the prayers from your affectionate brother
Joseph Raynes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cincinnati July 24, 1843
Mr. Ward:
Dear Sir,
You will please excuse me not answering your letter sooner which I should
have done but I have been waiting expecting I should be able to send you
some Bonsall news as Mr. John (?) left Cincinnati on the first day of
May last to see his friends in England. He would see my sisters at
Bonsall. He sent one newspaper to signify his safe arrival in England.
I was very sorry you were so much indisposed as to require a sea voyage
and allow the melancholy news your letter contained which is a great
grief to me. I was very much pleased my dear sisters were enjoying good
health and I hope the next time Providence will bar them up under all
their afflictions. Mr. Morledge will return to Cincinnati this fall.
I have sent for one of my nephews. I expect that he will bring Jacob
with him.
Dear Sir,
As you are on a visit for the benefit of your health I shall be very much
pleased if you will come and make a stay with us as Mrs. R and myself
will be very much pleased to entertain you as I think a trip down the
Ohio river and a visit at Cincinnati may add very much in recovering our
health. Please write if it will be agreeable for you to visit our (?)
city. I remain with my sincere regard,
Joseph Raynes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, July 14, 1849
My dear cousin,
We were extremely sorry to hear of the death of your dear brother. The
ways of Providence seem very mysterious and you do appear to have had
many bereavements now for some years past—but you must bear in mind that
the Lord is kind in all his ways when most they seem severe he frowns
and (?) kind rebukes hat we may learn his fear. If he was a Christian
and I think there was no doubt he is only transplanted from earth to the
even we have
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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