Histories

July 30, 1838

Dear Uncle,

According to promise I take this opportunity to inform you that we are all well and hope that this letter may find you in the possession of the same blessing. We left Middletown, Maryland on 28th day of April and on our way to Wheeling (WV) we lost one of our horses by the boats, and in consequence of that accident we were unable to go by Mr. Smith's as we were obliged to get some of our goods into another wagon as far as Wheeling. And there we took everything on a steamboat and went as far as St. Louis. And then I took all our freight on another boat and came up the Missouri River to Brunswick. And William and all the rest came from St Louis by land. And we all arrived here safe on the 24th day of May. And now we live about one mile north of Brunswick (Currently, 1976, this is the home of Kenneth Richardson), a small town situated on the Missouri River close by the mouth of the Grand River, both navigable streams for steamboats, and we can hear them as they pass up and down at our house. There are a good number of boats running the Missouri River this season, and all appear to do fair business. And the corn crops look exceedingly promising. We have entered three quarter sections of land and bought one second-handed. Land in this neighborhood has advanced in price considerable since I was here the first time. Mother and all the rest seem to be well pleased with the country and are well satisfied. Mary Ann was married on the 24th of this month to a man by the name of Elias Turner. This was quick business, I should say. No more at present, but remain, your obedient servant.  

Johnathan Herring