Middlesex County

Letters of John Marsh D'Camp #4 ~ 1829

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

William E. D'Camp
Rahway
Middlesex, N. Jersey
Williams Store Ohio
rec'd 6 march 1829
Preble County 2nd mo (Feby) 27 1829

Dear Brother

Some time having elapsed since I had any lines from under thy hand. I rec'd a few lines from Benj. W. Crane dated Jany 16th 1829. He informed me that he had married since he was out to this country. And felt desirous of moving out here to settle. I desired B W Crane when at my house to be sure to go and see my Brother W. E. D'Camp and inform him that my greater desire was that thee would set off and come to this country with thy family. Crane informed me in his letter that he went to see thee according to promised and thee told him that thee intended to come out here. I was indeed happy to hear that thee intended to come but as his letter did not inform me at what time. I have thought proper to arrest thy attention once more with a few scattered hints I answered Cranes letter by the next mail, in which I desired of him that he might show it to thee. But as Uncle John W. Rec'd by last mail a letter from Aunt Betsy and Uncle Steven Crane moving him out. I thought this perhaps would be a chance for thee, as thy family and Benjamins would make but a moderate load. I mentioned in that letter to Crane what things were only necessary. But fearing perhaps thee has not seen it I will here repeat the articles Viz If you can come together. One Teakettle, One Skillet & one small pot will be sufficient for both families to use on the road. Though if either or both have a Copper T Kettle or Brass Kettle, bring them along. Iron wear is cheaper here than there. Sell your feather Beds as you can get feathers here at 25 cts a pound (I mistook the price in Crane's letter and set it at 20 cts #) Bring all of your Bedding and Cloathing of every description and thy Chest of Tools. Make a box to fit exactly the sides of the waggon sufficiently large to contain all thy Bedding & Cloathes except what will be wanting to use on the road. Similar to that of mine which thee saw made of 1/2 inch pine and lined at the corners to stiffen and support it, fill this compleatly tight or solid, then nail down the top firm;. This will keep the articles from being injured by rubbing together as when put in loose. If thee cannot get a chance with Uncle Stephen Crane, try and fit out a one horse waggon and come in company with him. A nice one horse waggon would be as good as cash to thee here as Uncle Marsh would buy it of thee. I stated the advantages to be met with in this country (to the mechanick) in the answer to B. W. Crane. I also mentioned in that, that if thee could not raise money sufficient to pay a man for bringing thee out. I would endevor to satisfy him for his trouble on his arrival here, and wait till thee was able to repay it.

Dear Brother at the last time we saw each other thee expressed a strong desire to come out here and I have frequently written to thee on the subject. Yet not withstanding I humbly desire that thee will not take up with my mind alone in this matter. But use thy own will herein. As I do not wish to over persuade thee or any of my friends. But have merely set forth the truth as appears to me. Crane was out here and knows a little about what I have stated at different times, and is desirous to move out and settle here. And well persuaded am I if he acts prudently ( and apprehend nothing to the contrary) he will make his fortune in a few years. Silas Trembly was out here last fall and returned home and is back again to this country with a wife in order to settle here. If thee does conclude to come out this spring Aunt Betsy Vail (wife of Amos Vail) has some things she wants to send out to Hannah and if thee will get them and bring them out with thee I will pay for the carriage of them as also of that Cyphering book of mine. And if I could assure myself that thee would certainly come I could have a large job engaged ready for thee. Therefore I want thee to answer this soon as possible.

Thee informed me in they last that Philemon complained that I never thought to write him but thee may inform him that this is incorrect, as I allow to write to him once more at least and wish he would once and while write to me as that would encourage me to answer him, As it is a long time since I rec'd any from him.

My family is about middling at this time except Hannah she still keeps poorly and confined to her bed more than half the time. I am not as hearty as usual. I hope these may find thee and thine all enjoying good health. Hannah joins me in love to Mary & thee and please to remember us in love to Father, Mother Brothers & Sisters, both individually and collectively. Also to Benjamin W. Crane and his wife, Uncle Stephen and Aunt Betsy and all inquiring friends.
Dear Brother I could write all day but perhaps it would not be very entertaining to thee. Yet I may inform thee that Isaac Dodder has lived at Middltown ever since the decease of our dear sister Charity and been in a poor state of health most of the time since. I was to see Sally Dunham a little before Christmas and they were all well. Sally informed me that her father in law Joseph Dunham was deceased also Charlotte Scudder. She having married and died in child bed with her first child. Sally's little girl Sally Ann was living with aunt Peggy Scudder at that time. It will be 4 yrs this ensung spring since Uncle Abraham Williams moved from this place to Cincinnati and I expect upon a moderate calculation that he has cleared four thousand dollars by his trade. I have frequently asked him if he would not rather work in N. York again, he says No, for he can make double the wages in Cincinnati that he could in N. York.

Dear Brother, we have been acquainted long enough for thee to be aquainted with my disposition and therefore I have been plain in my observations. But knowing as I do the advantages in this country to be met with in raising a family, all of which I leave to thy own judgement and in much Love subscribe myself thy sincere friend and Brother till we meeet again

John M D'Camp

To W E DeCamp

Please answer this as soon as possible that I may hear of thy conclusions in this matter Direct to John M D;Camp Williams Store Butler County O.