Middlesex County

Letters of John Marsh D'Camp #2 ~ 1827

Letter 1 | Letter 2 | Letter 3 | Letter 4 | Letter 5 | Letter 6

Reciev'd letter: 5 of March 1827 Free
John M D'Camp dep Post Master
Dearly Beloved Brother,
2'd mo lst 1827

Thy favor of the 31 st of Oct 1826 we receiv'd in about twenty days from the time it was written, and I may say we were truley happy to hear once more from thee and our relations, but was made to feel for thee and thy family, knowing by experience the distress sickness occasions. As when four of the five of us were sick in Sussex, and we could get no girl to help for any consideration when, (as thee mentions in thy letter) I had to do all the house work Cook Bake etc. and as to my outward affairs when living near my Fathers they run in the same line that thine does at this time. I believe if we had moved to this Country at the time we were fixing for the Lake country which was in the year 1818, we should in all probability be a handsome property at this time, but so it is I had but one dollar in money when we arrived at this place. But blessed be the Lord we own 12 acres of good land, a snug frame house and barn, the Barn I put up this fall. I'm a few dollars in debt at this time, but hope with God's blessing to clear all up in the spring. I worked in the summer with Uncle Abraham in Cincinnati at the Joiners trade at 50 cts a day and found, but if I was a good workman and carried it on my self I could make two dollars a day, as they work by measurement in Cincinnati, and provisions there are very cheap.
I worked this winter at a house near at home for which I get 62 1/2 per day. I laid up 7.50 wt of pork for which I paid 2 cts a pound and 260 wt of beef at 2 1/2 cts a pound. I paid 1.5 cts a bushel for corn. Wheat is on the rise it is from 40 to 50 cts a bushel at this time, Butter 8 cts a pd, Tea $1.25 cts # pepper & Alspice 37 1/2 cts # Tallow 6 1/4 cts # Sugar 12 1/2 feathers 25 cts # etc.

We were glad to hear that thee intended to come out here and live. I have never wanted to persuade any of my relations to come, but sure am I that if they would sell and come, they would never repent it. If I was in thy situation I would certainly sell wood off the Mountain to pay that debt of Ludlows, then gather what money thee can and come out here next fall, as good land as ever was can be had at $1. 25 cts per acre about 40 miles from this, and as near Cincinnati , tho, it is taken up very fast and settled.

I want if thee should be favoured to come to this plentiful country (& if it the Lords wi11I hope thee may) I wish thee to bring that cyphering book I wrote & let thee have. Charity lost her little son Lewis, the latter part of the 9th month last, and was confined about 5 weeks since with another child that lived only about 8 hours. I have not seen Charity since her misfortune, therefore do not know whether the last was a girl or boy, she kept quite poorly the last I heard from her, which was about 2 weeks ago. I heard from Sally at the same time she and family were well.

Dear Brother I want thee to answer this letter and inform me how that Business of Old Phile 's has been fix'd, also if grandmother is settled. I want thee to be more particular about home and let me hear from my Father & Mother, for I have not had a word from my mother since I have been in the country & my father never writes to me forgetting he has a son in Ohio, Philemon & Gideon forget they have a brother John. I wish thee to tell them of this, and that here in I have sent my love to them all, Father, Mother Brothers & Sisters, as I well remember you all.
Thee may also tell my father that we have another son by name of William a pretty stout boy he was born the 4th of lOth month 1826, which entitles him to a new fur hat from his grand-daddy, and a pair of Boots from his uncle William Edgar.
We are as well as usual at this time and our relations generally so. Dear Brother I hope there may find thee wife and child enjoying the Blessings of health. I could write more by way of enquiry but must conclude at Present

Remember me to thy wife and accept of that Love which nothing but death will separate Farewell
John M D'Camp

PS. when thee writes to me again direct thy letters in the following form Viz To John M D'Camp deputy postmas W Williams store Butler County, Ohio
In this case I get my letters free from postage which I'm entitled to. Hannah sends her love to you all