Dec. 12, 1875 Joseph Garner-1826 to Elizabeth Benjamin-1830

Dec. 12, 1875

Holywell

My Dear Sister,

Having staid [sic] at home to nurse myself from a cold whilst two of my sons are reading the British Work Man, and our little Maggy is eating oranges to her hearts content, and Miss ___ has gone to Holywell to assist her eldest sister Elizabeth who is suffering from consumption and to all appearances not likely to be here long, I thought I could as nothing better than break through my usual ___ and just drip you a line to beguile your winter evenings.  Trusting your husband, sons and daughters are above the usual average of health.

Our town is now in a little tumult as to mailbox hall or no mailbox hall.  I have always been in favor of a mailbox hall and it makes me sick to think we have men in our midst who would __ the old town in insignificance and leave us no better than a village but I think the voting will be in favor of a Hall.   The old town remains just as you left it but if you were to return the inhabitants have considerably dwindled of especially these late years to ___:  Mrs. Owen Bears ___ died. 

I have not seen Richard for some months now not having anything calling me to Liverpool,  but I believe it is still his intention of coming over to your country.   The only thing I am afraid of, don’t you think it is too cold a climate for his family.  On the other hand, it is hard time to meet expenses in this country although we do a fair share of the trades of the town between ___ & ___ and expenditures it is about balanced at stock taking.  I often wonder how some of my neighbors stick together. 

I have sent you a paper which no doubt you have received, which will please the children, especially the horse nephew if it will be delivered in good condition. 

With kind love to all and if May & me are of the same mind we will write you again this day week.  She has just returned from holidays, her sister is no better.

With kind love to all, I am your affectionate brother,

J. Garner

Dec. 11, 1875 Richard Garner-1838 to Robert Gleave Benjamin-1854

91 Islington, Liverpool

Dec. 11, 1875

Dear Nephew Robert,

I was very pleased with your kind letter.  I also received the guide and newspaper all safe for which I am truly grateful.  I find by your epistle that you take a large amount of interest in agriculture and it must be a great satisfaction to your dear parents.  And your dear Aunt and myself are very glad to know the ____________________.

I suppose , dear Robert, it is the theory with you as yet and the practice with your brother Frank, but all can help them.   Is nothing like trying to make yourself useful and I am glad and proud you write such a sensible letter.  I see by the paper you so kindly sent me that the population of your beautiful state is just only what ours is in this town of Liverpool.  You will see in the paper that I send to your dear Ma & Pa, you will see there how Liverpool has improved in no short a time.  It is growing now faster than even I remember this town with just half the number of people in it.  But at present it is the envy of the whole world.   I hope you will try to be firm and stand by your dear parents for you must think of the time they have ___ for you (not that I think you are undutiful but that you should try and remain so). 

Dear Robert, our time is getting short here in this the old, the grand England of ours.  Not that we in Liverpool dislike America, only it does seem like we are leaving our home.  Your dear father & mother will have told you a great deal about England and you will learn more than I can write to you at your schools.  Your cousin Marion is saying to your Aunt something about her American courses all day, cannot stop talking for she is trying to think of your names, etc. 

Dear Robert, I am very tired.  I am all alone, must go to rest.   I got a very long letter from Pa today, also Ma.   I am going to send you each some tie or some small present before the new year in newspapers.   So with kind love to brothers & sister, your family, same from your Aunt Marion, boy and myself with the compliments of the season.  I am your Uncle,

Richard    

Nov. 17, 1875 Richard Garner-1838 to John Franklin Benjamin-1857

Islington, Liverpool

Nov. 17, 1875

Dear Nephew,

I received your kind letter all safe in another from your dear mother.  I was very glad to learn that you are so industrious on the farm.  I am sure you are a great help to your loving parents.  It is very manly on your part to do the very best in your power to help them, but it is only your duty.  Remember that they have been kind and loving to you and now you are going to pay them back with interest. 

I am right glad and proud to know that you are treading the proper path.  Do not leave it.  Keep on in your industry; it will pay you best in the long run.  I know many fine strong healthy young Englishmen “to my sorrow” that as soon as they left the path of virtue have gone headlong to an early grave, all through bad companions.  Adversely in this country it is the drink that spoils all our young men.  But I know it will never be your lot, young Frank, for you have good precepts shown to you at home.  Your good father will guide you safe and clear.  At your age I had no proper guide.  My dear sister, your mother, was the only one that seemed to care for me for we had been left when I was very young without father or mother.  But God has not left us, oft that I have left Him.  And, Frank, in this town of all others there are such a great many young men that give way to drink, and that is ruin.   I wish I could fly at once to you, for the drink element is carring [sic] all before them here.  But we have sent a Lib. & G.T. in our ward, St. Annes, that was always represented by publicans and brewers.  I am much pleased, yes truly pleased, glad, etc. that you are such a dutiful son and hope you will always remain as such.

I am very tired, am writing after all have gone to rest.  Your Aunt M.A. said da you must write to Uncle Frank tonight without fail, so I have complied with your Aunt’s wish and also discharged a debt with you and trust it will not be the last epistle before we meet.   Your little cousin says her cousin Frank will not let the dog bite her for she is cousin Franky’s English cousin.    Your little cousin boy is too young to talk or say anything much but he can say John Bull forever.

With kind love, dear Frank, to your father, mother , sisters, and brothers.  Also same from your Aunt, myself, Marion and our boy.   I remain your affectionate Uncle,

Richard

Enclosed photo Marion.  Got two papers from you now today.

Oct. 5, 1875 MA Garner to John Benjamin-1823

91 Islington, Liverpool

Oct. 5, 1875

Dear Brother & Sister,

We received your very welcome letter yesterday but we were very sorry to hear that you had been looking so anxiously for a letter from us which you ought to have had before you wrote.  In the first place I wrote to Olive for her birthday and sent her a piece of ribbon to make a bow for her neck, and brother wrote to you all and sent a birthday card, and the Welsh ashamed of the country.  It looks very strange your not getting them for they are the only letters that have  miss-carried and unfortunately had something in them.  But for the future we will try and post them ourselves for I can assure you it was a great disappointment to us, for we thought we would get beforehand with your send.  I was expecting a little note from Olive herself.  You also mentioned in your last letter, but one that you would send us some papers.  We never received any papers and this letter we only got two. 

I am glad to hear that your harvest will turn out so profitable, for you must have a great deal to do and you speak of the fruit looking so well and wishing we were here.  I hope it will look and turn out as favorable next year when I hope to share all the beauties of nature with you all.  What took my fancy the most was the cucumbers.  I cannot tell what John will do with them as ours seldom if ever grow to three feet. 

I hope it will be fine tomorrow for I intend to have our cards taken and then they will be a week or two before we get them but you shall not be disappointed if I can possibly help it anymore.  We have sent you several papers.  One had a pattern of an apron I thought was a nice one but I think as the time is so near for us coming that I had better bring all with us . 

I was very sorry to hear of your husband being so poorly but glad he is better.  He must have been very anxious for to get the harvest in when the weather turned so uncertain.  We have had very bad weather for two Sundays together.  It was terrific.  First it was thunder and lightening for three hours and torrents of rain.  Every place was lighted up with it and the following Sunday evening it was a violent storm of wind.  The lifeboat capsized in the river and twelve persons were drowned.  Nearly everyone was afraid, but as for Richard, he slept like a top while I was getting the children’s cots close to our bed for fear the chimney stacks would fall through the roof.  I thought they would be safer nearer to us and when Richard awoke he could not tell what was the matter to see such a change in the room.   But the storm was frightful, I could not sleep a bit. 

We have not heard from Joseph since I told him we had made up our minds to go, but Christmas will soon be here and then I shall either see him or hear from him.  He always sent us a present of a splendid goose so I am sure he will not forget us then. 

I sent you a paper a week today.  It had a pattern of a cape or _____ in.   It is very pretty and simple.  It takes a yard and quarter of French merino and trimmed with lace or fringe and insertion let in if you like and headed with a little bead trimming.  It would be very suitable for all the girls.  I will not send anything in this letter till I hear from you again to tell me what date the papers and letters you receive.   I shall be sending you Chatterbox in a few days and a paper the same day as this letter.  We sent a paper on Monday with some Cumberland corn in.  I hope you will get it.  The paper sent in this letter will have some Marygold seeds in that was taken from the cottage in the mountain and they were just in a box on the window here and grew very well. 

So you will get this first Bushart as only a slight ___ of that song you asked him about.  He can remember this first verse.  Perhaps you will help him out with the rest when he comes.  No doubt you will bring to his mind many things when you get to talking of which I shall have to give him up to you all for yourself.  He wants to know do you sing the Mistletoe Bough yet?  But he will keep me writing you all night asking you questions that I think I must draw to a close, for when I commence to write I don’t know when to stop.  He joins me with best love to each one of you and thanks for your great kindness to us.  The children are both well and send kisses in their little way to all, and Marion for cousin Frank and her doggie.  So with fondest love and best wishes to you all from your affectionate brother and sister,

R & MA Garner

Sept. 11, 1875 Knight Dean to John Benjamin-1823

Glencoe,

Sept. 11, 1875

Dr. Benjamin

Dear Sir,

Your favor relative to land passage tickets received & noted with thanks.  I have just written to headquarters and got the following answer: “Our cabin rates are per enclosed sheets – cabin passengers are furnished everything except wines and liquor which can be provided on board at reasonable rates.  Twenty feet of luggage is allowed free on the ship and excess to be paid for at regular freight rates.  By rail from New York, every adult is allowed 100 pounds free and over rate is paid for at the rate of about $6.00 for 100 pounds from New York to Glencoe.   The price for a first class ticket from New York to Glencoe is $36.00”. 

Hoping that our rates are equal to any other line and as cheap or cheaper than can be bought in London or Liverpool. We remain,

Yours truly,

Knights & Dean

You want to allow for the difference between gold and currency.  Ours are currency rates and those in England are gold rates.

Sept. 7, 1875 Richard Garner-1838 to John Benjamin-1823

91 Islington, Liverpool

Sept. 7^th, 1875

My Dear Brother & Sister,

I was very sorry to know by your last letter that John had cut his hand but hope it is not on the thumb for I know that is a dangerous part of the hand to hurt.  I am very glad that you will have a good harvest.  I was not aware before this that you, brother, had a practice as Dr., for Joseph never told anything.   We supply the Royal Infirmary and all the other charities here with household linen, lint wadding, and other items for such institutions.  MA wrote to Joseph sometime back, but have not received any answer.  She told him to write you, if only so short a line, but he (Joseph) is the same with everyone, does not care about writing – not that he will not, but puts it off.   I thought you would be sure of a reply to your letters long before this when MA wrote to Joseph and told him to do so.  I find it is all the same with him.  I should write to his wife a little note too when you next write him.   She is a good & kind lady, plain and homey.  Her maiden name was Mary Jones, second daughter of Jones Esq. of Coed-y-cra Farm near to Flint, more towards Halkyn near Northop.  I have heard her say that she remembers you (Elizabeth) but only very vague.  It is a fancy, I am sure she cannot be positive.  Mary went to the Mepes Inglbyss school at Flint in your time if I remember right.  Try and call to mind.  I do think it possible that you can, but anyway remember her and if you wrote her I am sure that every endeavor would be made by her to induce Joseph to write to you, etc. 

I have not heard from cousin Dawson since I wrote her and enclosed your letter.  She seems as bad as Joseph about writing.  MA is a little better now and will write you this week as you will have a short pause before you receive hers.  Often does she ponder over your letters for I never told her, at least I did not think anything about you for you being so far away, but as soon as she saw that letter of yours to Joseph, MA made me write to you at once.  Dear Olive will have, I trust, got a little line from MA ere this.  I also enclose from Marion a small token for Winifred with kisses for him and you all .

I have been trying our landlord again but no good.  Only six months the 25^th of this month .  I am afraid we are giving you a great deal of trouble preparing for us.  I am sure we do not deserve such kindness.   I do not know how to repay you etc.   Marion is talking about her new Uncle , Aunt Elizabeth , and her nice cousins all day.

[Some difficult to read writing]

From your affectionate brother,

Richard

August 13,1875 MA Garner to Elizabeth Benjamin-1830

August 13th, 1875

Dear Brother, Sister, Nephew & Nieces,

I am going to try and write you a long letter.  In the first place I shall have to apologize for neglecting to write, but we have sent you papers and also a book called Chatterbox.  I thought it would suit ___ and I have sent the other number this week, but we have made up our minds to come out if all is well indeed.  I should like it to be this next month if possible, but if Providence so orders it we shall be with you to celebrate your silver wedding.  The Post papers you sent with the ___ enclosed gave us a great deal of information and we found very great pleasure in trying to trace Hutchinson, and what with looking with one letter or another and papers we found Hastings and then we made a guess where our new home was likely to be.   I am sure from description and ___ I shall like the place after once crossing the ocean.  I shall think nothing of the land journey. 

I have written to Joseph and asked him for to write again to you but if you were to see a specimen of his letter here you would not be surprised at him not writing you.

I shall send you my jacket pattern and you can then see what size I am.  I have been making myself a dress the same as I enclose.  They make up very well.  I think the fashion is much the same with you as we have them.  I have not been able to do much sewing for I have not been well, my face swelling till I can hardly see.  But I hope as soon as it goes down a little I shall be able to get it stopped as it proceeds from a front tooth.  Marion is delighted to talk of cousin Franky getting her a little dog.  She says it must not bite her.  As for the boy, Richard, we can easily manage him.  He is so tough we think he will make a first rate farmer for he is strong made, but you will be able to judge when you see our portraits.  I intend to have them taken this month and you will then know us when we arrive. 

I think you may now begin to make your list out for useful things we may want.  I am thinking of keeping all the drapery goods that I have at present in housekeeping and bring a little china and glass that I value.  If there is anything in that way you would like, let us know because having the timepiece to be carefully packed, other little things may go with it.  But I do not intend to bring very much.  Richard thinks that a deal of luggage would be very troublesome when we get to New York.  He says that money will be better for us but I say what we do not want may be turned to a good advantage if we do not have them. 

Have you heard from cousin Dawson?  We have not but we shall try and see her before we come out.  She might have written to you by this time.    We have not been In Park Lane to see for Mr. Gleave but we will do so. It is a long way from us and we thought to leave it a little nearer the time for we did not want it known till we have gone, particularly amongst neighbors as news soon spreads.  My news is almost getting exhausted for I am such a very poor correspondent that you must excuse.   I can talk to you better than write which I will do if I am spared to see you, which will not be long.  I am now counting the months, thinking they do not go over quick enough, but when we look over our papers and see the heavy calendar there is for murder in Liverpool, time will go too quickly for them.  There are seven to be tried for separate murders here besides others almost equal to it and mostly if not all of them is through drink which is a great curse in this town. 

We have had very sultry weather lately, yesterday and today heavy thunderstorms and rain but I have not heard of any damage being done yet.  The great floods have caused the bread to rise very much.  One four pound loaf costs nine pence.   That will be in your money eighteen cents as far as I can guess.  Butchers meat, to buy a joint is sixpence a pound, chops or steaks one shilling a pound, bacon ten pence, ham sixteen pence a pound.  The things we chiefly live upon are very dear.  I am very to get into a country where I can have a good butter.  It is all I care for when I go to Holywell, is their bread and butter and eggs and some good bacon, but I must not write such a deal of money or else when I tell Richard he will not let me send it, but I feel as though I was talking to you now.  I have made myself to feel as though I was going home.  I always felt so when I was going to Holywell.  I have never received anything but kindness from my husband’s side and I am sure it will be continued in the far west. 

The children are very well and Marion sends kisses to her new Aunty, Uncle and cousins.  Boy (we always call him) can’t speak much yet but will do by the time you see him. 

With fondest and love and best wishes to all, not forgetting yourself, from your affectionate sister,

M. A. Garner

July 15, 1875 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Winona, Minn

July 15, 1875

Dear John,

I was going to write to you last Sunday  but we had the house full of company and I had to take them to church in the morning to hear Dr. Tiffany and that is about seven miles from our house. 

And now about money.  Mr. Pease has thought that a Mr. Howe from the east was going to let you have the money but has failed for some  means or other, but I will work at him all I can. 

I had to come here on rather short notice .  The machine I sold here, some of the feed works gave away on account of imperfect fitting of bolts and they was about condemning the machine.  But I am going back home to get a new part for it and I am coming back to fit it on and I suppose that it will be alright.    It made me just sick when I heard of it for I have all the confidence in the world in the machine if everything is all right.  I am mow just as nervous and I can be over the whole thing and if I hadn’t done some talking this evening the whole thing would have gone up and I wouldn’t have it happen for a thousand dollars.

Yours, etc.,

Edwin

June 22, 1875 Richard Garmer-1838 to Elizabeth Benjamin-1830

91 Islington, Liverpool

June 22, 1875

My Dear Sister,

I am sorry that you are so disappointed by our not coming out so soon as anticipated but it will not be so long.   Time will soon slip away.  That letter of yours to MA did good.   She is very firm now, if I can only keep her that way. 

Joseph was here last week but I did not see him.  MA told him you wanted the large Bible.   He said you should have it but it is very shabby.  The children have knocked it about so.  I have a large bible of my own that I intend to bring out in good condition and of the same size and type.  I will bring yours also if you say so.  I shall try my best to break our lease but I think I will not be able to do so for the landlord is such a tyrant. 

MA thinks she would like farming etc. but I think she forgets that I know nothing about it and that our means are not great.  However, we must leave that to Mr. B and yourself if you put us on the way and guide us.   I do not fear; I am willing to work in any shape for my wife and children.  In my position here I do nothing but walk about , etc., for our firm in the largest in Liverpool and only been in existence 20 years.  I have been over 14 years myself with the firm.  I am what we term here shopwalker, etc.   I am to the front and superintend all. 

I am very glad to know that your children are so anxious for our coming.  I am sure they will be very fond of our little ones, and little Marion says that her cousin Franky must keep the little puppy for her but I am afraid it will be too long to keep it and not to know.   I am not surprised at cousin Dawson not writing to you for you must know that Uncle Aunt Edward & Annie are all gone, only Robert left and he in Canada.   I will tell you all when we meet.  It is better than writing.  Poor cousin must be very gloomy. 

MA must know if she should bring her sewing machine.  It is a Grove & Balken hand machine, new and portable, but you will tell all about that sort of thing yourself.  I am so pleased to think your good husband is so thoughtful about us.  I am sure we will be very happy to gather all one family.  I feel sometimes, dear sister, it is all a dream that we are corresponding etc. and shall soon meet.   It is a long long time since we parted.  In fact, I do not remember our parting but I know that I felt very sad and lonely after you had gone away all this time and I did write you at all, but that letter of yours to Joseph woke me up, etc.

With kind love to all my nephews, nieces, Mr. B, and your dear self, I am, dear sister, your affectionate brother,

Richard

PS – Write soon.  I am going to do so as you wished.  I have not received a paper since your last letter.  Let us know all about packing and what is taxed with duty, etc.

June 13, 1875 Elizabeth Benjamin-1830 to John Benjamin-1823

Hutchinson

June 13, 1875

My Dear John,

Bobby received a letter from you last night.  They have not been able to get a load for any of the stores since you’ve been gone.   Will try to get a load when they come to meet you.  Hoping that Edwin has arrived for you must be awful lonesome if he has not come.  I hope you manage to buy a shirt bosom and cuffs to put on Sunday for that one must be terribly dirty by this time. 

I went to grange yesterday.  The attendance was quite good but no Master or Secretary.  Something must be done or the thing will go down and another Master and Secretary must be appointed.  They are having splendid meetings at other lodges and why can’t we if there was more interest taken.  Will you try to see the grange store in Minneapolis?  There is one kept by I.T. or L.B. Wache, a general apartment store.  See how they will sell.  Bring samples so that our lodge will see.

I took tea at Chesley’s.  He seemed quite pleased to think you had got a store for them.  He had been cultivating his farm.  Mrs. Chesley looked nicely.

The children have just come home from meeting and Sunday school.  Olive went down with me yesterday to practice at Mrs. Lewis’s on a piece they are going to sing at the Praise Meeting tonight.  It has rained hard this morning and looks some like rain this afternoon. 

I have my __ filled.  Have filled it in ten days with splendid butter.  They are paying 20 cents here got I asked yesterday.  Winifred is out of shoes.  I can’t help him on his feet.  Could you get a hair cheaper there or not, shall send his measure.  The boys have got quite a piece of the pasture fence up.  Plumb is going to bother.  She jumps out of the fence to and out of the pasture to ___ calf she has taken up with. 

Oh! does it look so lonesome here without you.  It makes me blue today and I have a terrible headache.  I can scarcely sit up.  Bennie was on the breaking yesterday.  He said it, the wheat, was beautiful and thick, so Bobby has gone to see if today nothing has bothered there.

Shall give my love to Edwin, hoping you are all both well.

I remain your affectionate wife.

Elizabeth B.

June 11, 1875 Elizabeth Benjamin-1830 to John Benjamin-1823

Hutchinson

June 11, 1875

Dear John,

Enclosed find a letter from Linght & Dean.  Received your letter last night and as Robby has got to go to town this morning I thought I should drop you a line so you feel a little better to know that the boys are doing splendid.  They have done/finished the fence between here and town and are going on the pasture fence today.  Frank was awful tired last night.  Winifred thinks pa is a very long time.

I am glad you heard from Edwin. Why don’t you stay at Hirsts now you are down or at Fields?   You did not say where you were stopping at.  I hope Edwin will arrive tomorrow, you to the grange store and find out the prices of things there compared with things here and Chicago.  I shall go to the grange today if I have time and have done lots of sewing.   

Robby has come in.  He is ready to go __ past ___ so I guess he will be ___ for the mail. 

I hope to get a letter from you tonight.  I wish you had another shirt with you.  That must look bad by this time.  Shan’t look for you until Tuesday night for Edwin will want you to see his machine work.  It seems awful lonesome without you.  Hurry home.

This from your affectionate wife.

Elizabeth G. Benjamin

June 6, 1875 Edwin Benjamin-1833 tp John Benjamin-1823

Minneapolis, Minn

June 6, 1875

Dear John,

I arrived here this morning and I thought that perhaps you would like to come here to see me.  I saw Mr. Hutchinson on Wednesday evening and had a long talk with him and I don’t know how I am to get around this money matter without I saw you.  If you can come see me right off I will see that you get back safe and pay the expenses, for it is impossible for me to come and see you.  And if you don’t come I will write again before I leave, and that will be about Thursday night.

Hoping that this may find you all enjoying good health, etc.

Yours affectionately,

Edwin

May 30, 1875 John Benjamin-1823 to Richard Garner-1838

Hutchinson, Minn, U.S.

May 30, 1875

Dear Bro & Sister,

Elizabeth is not satisfied with her own reply to both of your letters, which we received during the past week, unless I also will contribute a word by way of encouragement to you.  What to say I know not unless I shall tell you that we were somewhat disappointed on sending of your letters to find that you were not coming out here as soon as you anticipated.  However, this may be all for the best. At the same time I should, if I were you, try to compromise the matter in dispute between yourself & the landlord of whom you lease so that you will be able to come here next autumn, which I believe now in all probability suit just as well as far as commencing or the opening of a business in the town is concerned, as the times just at present are surely dullest I have experienced since my advent into this beautiful State of Minnesota.  However, we are all hopeful for the future prospects as bright and we think that most certainly that after our next harvest, which now bids favor to be good, that times will be very much better, although in a new community like this there are opportunities and chances to commence any kind of an enterprise that a man may wish to engage in, what you cannot find in an old settled country like England.  Eight tenths of the people in this community get their living directly or indirectly from farming and the other two tenths their living by mercantile trade, manufacturing, and other various branches of business.  I shall not be able to enter into detail in this short epistle as to how or the means of conducting or the way those various branches are carried on.  I will simply say here that I have no reason to doubt the abilities of any and all Englishmen to compete with the American-born citizen, where these Englishmen have had the advantage & experience of the English style of carrying on business, although the Americans have a way of conducting their affairs which you or any other adapt Englishman can very soon get into without any trouble. 

I have been thinking over the future prospects since you wrote us that you contemplated coming here and at present I know of none other better, or rather it strikes me so forceably, as the commencement of the opening of a store or shop here in the interest of the farmers.   I mean by the interest of the farmers this (viz) the farmers have been for the last two or three years organizing themselves into secret societies all through the country to meet the monopoly of railways and the traders as we have none or any shop here as yet.  I do really believe that I can work or use my influence to build up a large branch of trade in this town in your favour, for I am so well known, etc.

More of this from time to time as I shall be writing you a line occasionally.  Our untied live to all. 

Truly yours,

J. Benjamin

May 13, 1875 John Benjamin-1823-To Elizabeth Benjamin-1830

Glencoe,

May 13, 1875

Dear Elizabeth,

Your letter I received a few minutes since.  I am very sorry to hear of the loss of any of the cows, hoping that this one will be the last to lose in this way.  Take care that none of them go north of the house.  Keep them on the south side & keep strict watch after them if possible & tell the boys to build the fence south of the breaking of the slough at both ends on the dry land first & also fix that south of the east field & watch the crops as best they can until I come home on Saturday, which I write to you and so inform you as to mail me, etc. 

I suppose that it is too wet to go to mill today.  You had better exchange at our mill than attempt to go to Cedar. 

Am very busy I do assure you.  Love to all.

Truly yours,

John