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Letter: Personal

Source 017 – Personal Letter by Tina Williams

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Author: Tina Williams of Knights Ferry, CA
Title: Letter to Mrs. Thomas [Iva M. (Cooper) Thomas]
Date: 06 March 1921
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

06 March, 1921

Mrs. Thomas:
Dear Friend – I was indeed surprised a few days ago to get a card from you. Had often wondered where and how you are and hadn’t heard for so long – how did you manage to leave Mich. and your interests there? Did you get as far west as California? If you had and came anywhere near here I’d never forgive you if you didn’t stop and see your “old, cranky, special patient” at the UBA. As for me, I am still in the same place, and in same old way. The children Albert and Beth are fine, going to school, Albert in 6th grade, Beth in 4th. Albert will be 12 years in August, Beth some 10 years. How time flies! We are expecting to go back to Mich this next summer. That is, I and children. Mr. W isn’t going. Mother wants to see me so much and I’ve not been back since 1914, 7 years ago. Times have been hard and money scarce, as you know. My sister Mrs. Flood (Dr) spent last winter with me. Her health is bad, has bronical asthma. She was miserable all time while here. Had to go to Frisco and have operation and spent 11 weeks at Battle Creek St. since going back. My oldest sister that lived in Grand Rapids died 2 years ago X-mas. Mother is at Manton, now, but will be at Northport this summer. I’ve not been very well this winter. I really need an operation – but hate to have it done. It is beautiful here now, fruit trees in bloom and wild flowers all out and plenty of rain. We started to rebuild our house, but its not finished yet. I hope you are well, and happy. Let me hear from you again and I’ll do better next time. Wish I could have a chat with you instead of write.
Lovingly,
Tina Williams
Knights Ferry, CA

Source 004 – Family Record: Moses Nelson and Cherry Valley Massacre by Valeria L. Nelson

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Author: Valeria L. Nelson
Title: Account of Moses Nelson, Cherry Valley Massacre (NY)
Date: 03 October 1913
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: this account is recorded in a cookbook

Had 4 half-brothers named Dunlap, all in the service of their country.

11 November 1778 – Cherry Valley (Otsego Co, NY) destroyed. Hid with widowed mother on Lady Hill, east of the village (age 14).

March 1779 (20 March 1779 – s24) – enlisted for 10 month term on Hudson River rendezvousing at Fish Hill (Private under Captain John Denny, Batteau services – s24).

Around January 1780 – returned to Cherry Valley to live with his mother.

24 April 1780 (s24) – captured by indians, mother killed.

18 days later – arrived in Canada, Niagara (about 12 May 1780). Adopted as indian (Stockbridge). Sold into forestry service of British.

Spring 1782 – taken with prisoners to rebuild Ft. Oswego.

Winter 1782-83 – remained at Ft. Oswego.

Spring 1783 – peace proclaimed. Returned via Ticonderoga and Ft. Edward. Visited Montreal, was paid for labor done in British service.

NOTE: webroots. org – 24 April 1780, 79 indians and 2 tories completely destroyed the village, killing 8 [one being Moses’ widowed mother] and capturing 14 [one being Moses].
Washington visited Cherry Valley in fall of 1783.

Source 012 – Personal Letter by Mrs. L. Williams (Tina)

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Author: Mrs. L. Williams (Tina) of Knights Ferry, CA
Title: Letter to Miss Cooper [Iva M. Cooper]
Date: 21 April 1912
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

21 April 1912

My dear Miss Cooper:
Your three pretty postals was received and thank you so much for remembering us. But, I was indeed so sorry to hear of your loss in the death of your mother. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy, even at this hour.

While you mourn the loss of your dear mother, your loss is her gain and someday you’ll meet her again. You always spoke and wrote so much of her. It will be lonely I know for you now. I’ve been going to answer your letter but always thot I’d have better news but am sorry to write that I’m very poorly. My only hope is an operation, so this next Thursday morning I’m to be operated on at Hospital at Oakdale. I dred it, but I feel anything is better than suffering as I do every month. I only weigh 117 lbs. Have a lovely Dr and nurse so hope all for best. I’ve got a lady to take baby and little Albert will stay here on ranch with brother Tom’s wife. He is such a “mamma boy” I hate to leave him. Will be at hospital about 3 weeks. I’ve had a hired girl since Jan. 1st and she’ll come back again after. Baby was 1 year old Tues. and I’ve not known a well day since. She is a darling tho. We had her baptized today, and she was so sweet.

My trouble is retroversion of uterus and inner wall of perineam was torn when Albert came and never was sewed and when they operate can see what else. I’ve been to good Drs and all tell me same. Well, I’ll write when I get over this. I feel so nerveous can hardly write, but you write me and I’m always so glad to hear and only pray that God will share me to my husband and little ones. God bless you and keep you.

Your friend,
Mrs. L Williams (Tina)
Knights Ferry, CA

Source 073 – Personal Letter by Frank S. Thomas

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Author: Frank S. Thomas of East Helena, Montana
Title: Letter to George S. Thomas of North Dorr, MI
Date: 01 November 1908
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

East Helena Mot.
November 1, 1908
Mr & Mrs. George S. Thomas
North Dorr Michigan

Dear Father and Mother: I will pen you a few lines and let you know I am still kicking and hope you are the same. We have had lots of stormy weather in Mont. this fall and the mountains are full of snow, but the weather is ? calm at the present. I suppose you have got your falls work all done up and are ready for to den up for the winter. I received a letter from Jane? a few days ago and she stated that the old apple orchard was cut down so is ? have to go without ? and apples this winter. I suppose Politik is pretty warm in Michigan by this time. Mont. will go for Bryan ? ?. I am a Bryan man myself, he is the man we want for president and if the people don’t elect him they will make a sad mistake for he will make the best president we ever had. I don’t think much of ? Bill Taft. Taft is the man the many poor wants for president, because they are all contributing to his campaign fund and are raising millions for to elect him. George went Idaho. I will close. Best wishes to all yours, Respectfully, Frank S. Thomas

Source 072 – Personal Letter by Unknown

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Author: Unknown [presumed to be Frank Thomas]
Title: Letter to “Father and Mother” George S. Thomas and Julia of Dorr Centre, MI
Date: 02 March 1908
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

March 2, 1908
Diamond City, Mont.

Mr. and Mrs. George S. Thomas
Dorr Centre, Allegan Co, Mich

Dear Father and Mother:
I will now reply to your letter which I received a few days ago.

I am well and hope both of you are the same, and all the rest of the royal bloods and etc. I saw in your letter wherein you stated that you were having lots of cold weather in Mich. We have had a fine winter in Mont. up to the present date.

I haven’t saw George Jr since last Sept and the last I heard of him he was in Western Mont. I wrote down there but I don’t get no answer and I don’t know where he is at present.

I suppose you have got some cider in the cellar and does old man mines sakes John Wellen come over as usual. [remaining contents unknown]

Source 071 – Personal Letter by Laura Jenks

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Author: Laura A. Jenks of Dryden, NY
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of North Dorr, MI
Date: 20 January 1908
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

1908, 1st m, 20 day (January 20, 1908)
Dryden, NY

George S. Thomas
North Dorr, Mich.

My Dear Brother:
It is some time since I have heard from you and as this settlement is now started I will inform you something about it. The bill against Mary Jane’s estate has been made over by Frank Jameson and Albr. Harvy that they claim is a lawyer. But I guess he was Edwin’s neighbor. Now Mr. Jameson came here and told me he did not know anything about this settlement. He also wrote to Jenks that he supposed by Edwins tell that it was settled long ago (yet Mr. Miller says) he brought this new bill which he swore to in the presence of the judge. His ? bill calls for six hundred dollars besides what Mary willed Edwin. The bill calls for Manley Goodales funeral expenses and Mary Janes and drunken sprees at hotel in Virgil and Marathon. The bill was so large and so many claims that it could not be settled. the 6th of January. it called for a large amount of monument work and mason work that Mr. Jenks done. There is a very willful lie between Jameson and Miller. Now how can this ever be settled without Edwin’s accounts and Mary Jane’s diary. Edmond Jenks wants to see them but they don’t show them. All Mary owed Edwin for was coming to see her in her last illness and for probating her will. He was here 28 days and Jameson wants one hundred & 4 dollars. A dollar a day. There is livery bills and meals to hotels and all kinds of false claims and very little credit.

Mr. Jameson told Miller to settle with out lawing. The claims calls for more than the farm brought. Edmond Jenks told Miller that he must see Mary’s diary and Edds account book before he would allow such a fraudulent account. That made Mr. Miller turn red in his face and he said he would settle. He has got money belonging to the estate that he has never given up.

Now tell me at once which is best to do. Law them or give up all of the money. Let me hear from you. The judge said if it could not be settled there would have to be a referee appointed. And he could have some of these false accounts looked into. Write on receipt of this. Give my love to each one and a good share to your self. From your loving sister,
Laurie A. Jenks

To my dear Brother:
Now George, do you want Jr. Jameson to have pay for Manley’s doctor bill and casket which Mary Jane and Ashur paid 10 years ago. They had two hundred dollars in gold and paid it willingly. some of the gold was Manley’s. This portion of the bill Mr. Jameson swore to is a false statement and now he wants it paid to him over again.

Mr. Jameson’s bill is so large that the items must take a number of thousand words. Understand we have Edwins bill and his name in his own writing and that called for more than he ought to asked. This last move is all a fraud from first to last. It is a disgraceful affair. What I have written is a true state of affairs.