John Stoddard Kirkham and brother James
Saw this letter for sale on ebay today and thought the contents might interest Kirkham researchers:
Stampless folded letter, dated 29 October [no year, probably late 1840’s], written by James Kirkham (1821-1893) in Springfield, Massachusetts to his brother John Stoddard Kirkham (1826-1918) in Newington, Connecticut.
There is a weak cds SPRINGFIELD Ms. OCT 29, as well as PAID and “5” rate notation stamps, and a manuscript “Paid” notation.
James writes mostly about family news, and gives his brother, a teacher, a hard time for not spelling correctly!
The letter reads:
Springfield Oct 29
Dear Brother John
I received a letter from you the fore part of the week and should have answered it before but so much to do has & is my only excuse.I returned from New York last Saturday, came through your place about noon, looked out but saw no one that I knew, and this week have been quite busy opening, marking & getting ready to sell the goods which I bought.Trade is very fair, but would do more if we could get it to do in the way of selling.I saw Cousin Henry in New York.He has been out West. He saw Cousin Charlotte & Aunt Lucy.They were well. He did not see his Father as he was gone to some other part.I wish you would look in the dictionary & notice how the word since is spelled.You had occasion to use it in your letter 4 times and it is spelt “scince.”My wife’s father thinks that a schoolmaster “ought to spell correctly.”As for the cash, if you have it arranged with Wm. perhaps that will be all right.I shall be down Thanksgiving if nothing happens to prevent, so fat up your old hens.
I am glad to hear of Sophia & that she is getting better.Give my love to her.I suppose Richard will remain at home this winter.You no doubt are quite anxious to commence your school so that you can be near the “lovely Miss Francis” as I presume she is, having not had the pleasure of a sight of her. I am also delighted to hear that my cousin Wells is so happy and hope that he may always enjoy himself so well. How does Cousin Jennette & Charles progress?We all have been expecting Jennette, Sophia & William up here this all, but do not see them as yet.
Oct 18 two weeks ago Monday next I put a letter into the Office which my wife’s Father wrote to my Father upon business which he wished an immediate answer or as soon as he could get such information as he desired.You said nothing about receiving one and no answer has come to his hand.If Father has received one, please jog his memory for an answer.Give my love to Mother & tell Wm. not to work too hard this winter.Write me will you.
From Your Brother
James Kirkham