William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 1)

[corresponds to front cover of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


William and Anna Bennett

Heartlines from Connecticut to Ohio

Everett B. Chambers

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 2)

[corresponds to unnumbered page of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

William and Anna Bennett

Heartlines from Connecticut to Ohio

Everett B. Chambers

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 3)

[corresponds to unnumbered page of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

William and Anna Bennett

HEARTLINES FROM CONNECTICUT TO OHIO

Letters of aged parents in Connecticut to their three

pioneer daughters in Delaware County, Ohio 1820 - 1845


Everett B. Chambers

7271 Dustin Road

Galena, Ohio, 43021

1992

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 4)

[corresponds to unnumbered page 4 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Acknowledgements

grateful appreciation to . . . . . .

Mrs. Alice Heath Baker of the Delaware County, Ohio Genealogy

Society for her initial suggestion that I embark upon this pro-

ject and for her suggestions and encouragement.


Miss Roberta Smith and Mrs. Ethel Larkin, of the Mansfield, CT

Historical Society for information so willingly provided.


First Baptist Church, Sunbury, for the use of their copier.


Mr. George Cryder of the Delaware County Historical Society,

for his binding of the booklets.


The Mansfield CT, Historical Society for permission to use the

doctors' pictures from CHRONOLOGY OF MANSFIELD, CONNECTICUT.

1702 -1972 (compiled by the History Workshop of that society).

Also, help from the following publications of the Mansfield

Society:


THAT SACRED PLAN OF PARADISE, Jack Hall Lamb, 1975, Parou-

sia Press, Storrs , CT.

ON THE TRAIL OF A LEGEND, James H. and Esther D. Barrett,

1978, Parousia Press, Storrs.

LISTEN TO THE ECHOES, ROBERTA K. SMITH, 1983, Parousia

Press, Storrs.


THE DELAWARE GENEALOGIST, SPRING 1989 map. This map and re-

search was done by Alice Heath Baker of the Delaware Genealogy

Society.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 5)

[corresponds to unnumbered page 5 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

"The lines are are fallen unto me in pleasant

places; yea, I have a goodly heritage."

Psalm 16:6

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 6)

[corresponds to page 1 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

INTRODUCTION

Most of the twenty-three letters which comprise this booklet

were written by an elderly Connecticut couple, William and Anna

Bennett (my great, great, great grandparents), to their three

daughters and families, who had emigrated to Orange Township in

Delaware County, Ohio, in 1818. Many of the descendants of the

three daughters still live in Delaware County. Among the county

surnames of the descendants include Ross, Crowl, Rae, Roy Walk-

er, Bailey, Ward, Fisher Howard, Buell, Wigton, Powell, Nisbet,

and Chambers.


The background of these letters is fascinating. The bundle of

letters was found in the attic of the home that Nathaniel Barr-

rows built ca.1840 on the east side of Alum Creek in Orange Twp.


The letters remained in the attic of the Barrow home for 130

years or so. It would seem probable that the letters were sel-

dom or never read during this period, given the excellent state

of preservation of the missives. The letters were found by the

last occupant of the house, Mrs. Bertha Ferson (great, great

granddaughter of the Bennetts) in the late 1960's. She, having

little interest in such things, gave them to my aunt, Mrs. Laura

Barrows (whose husband, Kyle, was descended from Nathaniel Bar-

rows' brother, Orrin, who is frequently mentioned in the letters).

Although Mrs. Barrows was intensely interested in local history,

she turned the letters over to me, inasmuch, as I am descended

from the Bennetts, but neither she nor her husband was. I read

the letters with great interest, but was unable to do anything

with then until I retired a few years ago. To prevent further

deterioration, I encapsulated each page between two sheets of

polyester. Finally the letters have been typed and bound as a

booklet, along with this introductory material.


The letters are 16 inches by 8 inches. They were so folded that

each letter consisted of two pages, with both sides used. Every

inch of space was utilized and often a letter contained several

messages from Connecticut family members, or more than one letter,

written on the letter itself, as no envelope was used. They were

sealed with an orangish wax, which can still be seen on the orig-

inal letters.


The postage during the period covered by the letters, was twenty

five cents. (Note the "25" on many of the addresses). The cost-

ly postal fee was paid by the recipient, not the sender, and must

have been a hardship at times.


The handwriting (note sample page) was very legible, always black

ink and carefully written. Apparently, they didn't feel the need

to hurry as we often do.


I feel privileged to possess these letters and realize anew the

heritage that is mine.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 7)

[corresponds to page 2 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

BACKGROUND OF THE WILLIAM BENNETTS

William Bennett and family lived on a farm in the town^1 of

Mansfield, Connecticut. The location of the farm had been

determined and the stone foundations of the house and

outbuildings are apparent. The cellar can be seen (which was

considerably smaller than the house itself) with the step to

the outside. Mr. and Mrs. Larry Larkin, local history

enthusiasts who live near the site, have explored the area,

which is now grown up to woods. The have measured,

photographed, and drawn the layout of the house and other build-

ings. They have discovered that the house stood as late as

1957. A doctor was the last occupant.


Apparently, the house was rather elegant for a farm family.

Mrs Larkin recently talked with an elderly woman who has lived

next door to the old Bennett farm since 1930. In a letter to

me, Mrs. Larkin describes the house as the neighbor remembers it:

"It was a beautiful, big charming house. Every room had

a fireplace, the house was paneled, and the kitchen had

big stone central chimney with a bake oven. It had an

ell, and that is what is left now. In the ell was a summer

kitchen and a shed beyond that. The house was two stories

high and sat on a knoll. A doctor owned it . . . and he sold

the paneling to a builder, who she (the neighbor) thought

came from Hartford. The house was torn down and there was

also a fire. The foundation of the original house was

all filled in, including the chimney base, which was as

large as a room. Her comment: 'Somebody of means must

have built that house.' "


The area of Mansfield town where the house and farm was located

is known by the strange name of "Mansfield City, and, in fact, the

road on which it was located was Mansfield City Rd. The name

is strange because the area is completely wooded.

Only the stone walls, made from stones gathered from nearby

fields many decades ago, remind us that this was once an agri-

cultural community. but never was anything resembling a

city.


Many references in the letters remind us that, indeed, this

was a farm family, as most of the populace were. William speaks

of his livestock, crops, fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, cider

and other food products and we can imagine their cellar

overflowing with that which the fields produced.


1. A town in Connecticut is comparable to a township in Ohio

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 8)

[corresponds to page 3 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

The Mansfield area was early known for its silk production.

Silk proved to be a great cash crop for the money-starved

farmers. The letters mention the silk industry on several

occasions, and, indeed, that part of Connecticut was the center

of the silk production for the new republic. The first silk

mill in the nation was located in Mansfield. The building was

relocated to Dearborn, Michigan in 1930, and is now a part of

Henry Ford's Greenfield Village. As for Mansfield, and the Ben-

netts in particular, one can picture the wives and children

of the extended family picking the mulberry leaves to feed the

silk worms.


In the early part of the nineteenth century, especially after

the War of 1812, "Western Fever" hit the people of New England.

As for the reason why three daughters of the Bennetts, along

with their husbands, and at least one small child, would abandon

the security of Connecticut for the dangers and uncertainties

of the Ohio frontier on 1818, Ethel Larkin writes: ^2


"Going west was not easy, but the land was so much easier

to farm. the blight which killed the mulberry trees changed

Mansfield forever."


Of special interest to me, having served as an American Baptist

pastor for almost 35 years, is the fact that the Bennetts were

devout Christians. Early records indicate that William Bennett

joined the Baptist Church in Mansfield in 1789. At that time

the state church in New England was the Congregational Church.

The Mansfield congregation of the established church was the

First Church of Christ. Since there was no separation of church

and state yet in Connecticut, all citizens were required to

pay taxes to support the established church. The only way

this could be avoided was for a certification from a dissenting

church to be given. William was given such a certification:


"This may certify that William Bennett of Mansfield hath

joined to the Baptist Society in Mansfield and doth attend

meetings with the Baptist Chh and contribute for the support

of the same according to their order of said chh.

Mansfield, July 16, 1789

Eleazar Wright, Clerk of the chh


1. My Aunt Laura Barrow often spoke of the "silk room", one

of the bedrooms of the rambling home built by Orrin Barrows

and in which lived. Apparently, silk making continued in

Delaware County, Ohio, for a short time.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 9)

[corresponds to page 4 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

In 1809 William and Anna Bennett became charter members of

the Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mansfield, now the First

Baptist Church. The former church was doubtlessly a separatist

church as there was separatist church in Mansfield from 1745

to 1769. Since the terms "Baptist" and "separatist" were often

used interchangeably, probably the 1789 church was more of a

separatist church, which died out in a few years.


In 1811 William was appointed as the second deacon and later

was licensed to preach. The title of "deacon" was carried by

William the remainder of his life. His will and his tombstone

both designate him as Deacon William Bennett.


From the letters we learn how important the church was to

this Connecticut family. Scripture is frequently quoted and

after grandson, Blake Barrows, age 19 , visited his Connecticut

grandparents for the first and only time, Grandfather Bennett

wrote him a tender letter, urging him to follow the ways of

the Lord and to remember his Creator in the days of youth.

Although the Presbyterian Church was the dominant church on

Alum Creek, we know that some of the descendants of the Bennetts

embraced the Baptist faith. For instance, grandson, Aaron Buell

(son of Jeremiah and Emelia Buell) was memorialized upon his

death in the Cheshire Baptist Church and had been a member of

the Free Baptist Church at Rome Corners in Berkshire

Township for many years.


The lives of William and Anna Bennett and their children were

to a great extent influenced by the Baptist Church of Spring

Hill. John Hunt, pastor of the church from 1830 to 1835, is

surely a relative to Anna Hunt Bennett. It is my guess that

he was her brother. But the Bennetts, Hunts, and Barrows were

all a significant part of the church on the hill.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 10)

[corresponds to page 5 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


GENEALOGY OF THE WILLIAM BENNETT FAMILY

Nathaniel Bennett - Mary_______
b. 1720 b. ?
d. 18 Oct. 1800 d. 22 July 1813
Moved from Stonington , CT to
Mansfield , CT in 1750
__________________________
|
William Bennett, Sr.
b. 16 Dec. 1762
d. 12 Nov. 1839
m. 3 May 1787

John Hunt - Mary Abbe
b. ? b. 10 Oct 1744
d. ? d. ?
m. 24 Mar 1763
___________________________
|
Anna Hunt
b. 27 Jan. 1764
d. 14 Apr. 1848

Children of William and Anna Bennett:

*1. Emelia BUELL
b. 29 Oct. 1789
d. 1861
m. to Jeremiah Buell, 30 Oct. 1820

*2. Mary BARROWS
b. 25 Mar. 1793
d. 29 Apr. 1862
m. to Nathaniel Barrows, 2 Feb. 1817

3. William Bennett, Jr.
b. 9 Nov. 1795
d. 5 June 1880
m. To Harriet Dunham, 5 Jan. 1817

*4. Ann Harriet Waters
b. 21 Apr. 1799
d. 1839
m. to Charles Waters

5. Theoda Crane (Crain)
b. 24 Apr. 1803
d. 31 Mar. 1890
m. to Charles Crain, 4 Nov. 1821

* Emigrated to Delaware Co., Ohio. Emelia, as

a single girl was in the party that emigrated

to Ohio in 1818. Ann Harriet was not in the

party and apparently moved to Ohio prior to

1818. Mary and husband Nathaniel were in the

1818 group, along with his parents, Soloman

and Prudence Barrows.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 11)

[corresponds to page 6 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

The home of Lt. Thomas Barrows (1716-1802), Tolland County,

Connecticut (town of Mansfield). Thomas was the father of

Soloman Barrows (1752-1833). The house was built ca 1787.

It is possible that this is the home that Soloman left when

he came to Ohio in 1818. He surely lived in it some of the

years of his life in Connecticut. The picture came down to

me from Grandma Chambers, a great, great granddaughter of

Lt. Thomas. During a reunion of the Barrows in 1902, held

at the home of Philo Barrows, several of these pictures were

given out to representatives of various families present.

The pictures were gift of John W. Barrows of Denver, Colorado.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 12)

[corresponds to unnumbered page of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL WALES BARROWS AND MARY BENNETT BARROWS

Top: Orville, 1820-1898. Served as mayor of Marshalltown, Iowa,

from 1874 to 1877: Betsey Jane, 1826-1907, m. William Bockoven.

Bottom: Harriet Ann, 1828-1903, m. Gustin Havens; no picture was

available for Blake Wales, 1817-1878, m. Charlotte Janes, moved

to Iowa, d. there. The paper five-cent pieces were found in the

Havens family Bible. Writing is that of sister Harriet.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 13)

[corresponds to page 7 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

MORE DESCENDANTS OF NATHANIEL AND MARY BENNET BARROWS. Those indicated by an * are of that blood line.

Back Row: Blake Haven*, Mrs. Blake Havens (Clara McKinnie), Octavius Chambers, holding baby Lester

Chambers*, Mrs. Octavius (Mary Jane Havens*), Front Row: Flora Chambers Clymer*, Gustin Havens,

Mrs. Gustin Havens (Harriet Barrows)*, Ethel Chambers Rofenfels*, Mrs. William Bockoven (Betsey Jane

Barrows)*, William Bockoven, Clara Chambers Ross*, Lettie Chambers*. Helen Havens Jaynes* is back

of Clara Chambers Ross. The photo was taken in front of the Nathaniel Barrows home, more recently

known as the Havens Homestead. Picture was taken in summer of 1886 or 1887.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 14)

[corresponds to page 8 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

The house that was built by Nathaniel Barrows before 1840. It

was in the attic of this home that the Bennet letters were found.

The original cabin (1818 or soon thereafter) was built on the east

bank of Alum Creek, but due to the dampness of the location the

larger home pictured here, was built on high ground. It was

located next to the home of his brother, Orrin Barrows. both

were located on what was known as the Cheshire -Africa road, now

under the waters of Alum creek Reservoir.


Five generations occupied the Nathaniel Barrows home, later known

as the "Havens Homestead". These occupants were:


1. Nathaniel and Mary (Bennett) Barrows and children: Mary Anna,

Blake, Orville, Betsey Jane, and Harriet A.

2. Gustin and Harriet (Barrows) Havens and children: Helen Louisa

(Jaynes), Mary Jane (Chambers), Albert Holland, Blake Wales.

3. Blake and Clara (McKinnie) Havens and daughter, Bertha Muriel

(Ferson).

4. Bertha (Havens) Ferson and children: John, Harriet (after death

of husband, Frank Ferson).

5. Jerry and Harriet (Ferson) Rymer and children.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 15)

[corresponds to page 9 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

"O, my dear sisters, I cannot tell you my feelings with this

poor pen and ink. I want to see you and converse with you face

to face . . . . . I hope there is an indisoluable knot between us

that neither silence nor distance can break in pieces."

-Family members in Connecticut to loved one in Ohio.


Here are people communicating at the heart level. Far from the

stereotypical New Englander - cold, unemotional - the Bennetts

communicated love, warmth, and a deep and intense longing for

one another. The lines that connected them with their pioneer

families in Ohio were indeed fragile ones. Letter delivery

was uncertain at best and took weeks. There were no telephone

conversations to buoy the spirits - to give relief from their

intense desire to communicate. There were no fly-ins to spend

a few precious days together. There were no Thanksgivings

shared, now Christmases spent together. No picnics, no family

gatherings, no sharing of family secrets, no laughter together,

nor comforting in the time of sorrow. All they had were the

heart - lines - lines made possible by a postal system that was

less that adequate, but which provided much needed, if minimal,

communication . . . . . . . . . . .

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 16)

[corresponds to page 10 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 1

January - February 1820

Nathaniel W Barrows Esq

Orange Delaware County

Lewis Settlement Alum

Creek Ohio

to be left at Berkshire post office


Mansfield - January the 27th in the year of our Lord 1820.

Beloved sister,

It is with pleasure that I now spend a few moments of time in writ-

ing to you to inform you of my health which through the blessing of

God is very good. Hoping these lines will find you enjoying the

same rich blessing. We receive a letter from you January the 11.

We wrote one to you I think in December. We was very glad to re-

ceive your letter but you some very unexpected news in it. I

had flattered myself that you would come home next spring to live.

But now expect that I shall be disappointed. I hope that you will

answer your own mind and I have know reason to think but what you

will. You cannot imagine how much I do want to see you and I hope

that you will have come home after your things. If you should

come home next spring and stay through the summer, you could get

you everything that you wanted. Sally is going to live with us

another year and think if you would come and spend the summer with

us we should take a great deal of comfort, but I must not think to

much about it. If I do, I shall certainly be disappointed.


I am now at school. I have been two days. I don't know but I shall

go three of four weeks. We have had very cold weather this winter.

there has been snow on the ground this several weeks and it is beaut-

iful slaying as I ever see. I don't know as I have much knews that

I can write to you, but if I could see you, I could tell you a great

deal. I want to see the girls very much and their children. Emel-

ia, I was in hope that when you had your visit you would come home

and let me go, but I am afraid that shall loose my visit to Ohio.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 17)

[corresponds to page 11 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 1 (Continued)

It is quite a healthy time with us now. I don't know of but a

few people that are sick about here. I would inform you that Les-

ter Colman is married. He called to our house with his lady. Her

native place is East Hartford. She is quite smart looking. Her

name is Mabill Hills. He inquired after you very particular. I

believe that Lolima was married before you went away. She is very

sick. She has convulsion fits. Storrs Hovey is married to Ester

Cogswell.


Tell brother Charles his caution was very good but needless for I

think you have got the tidde (?) of dancing in the pigs trough to

perfection. I don't see but what I am like to left an only daug-

hter. I am in no hurry for there is no danger of my getting into

the hogs trough but supposing their was, I should as ever be their

as anywhere else.


I want to see Harriet in her habitation with her great boy very

much. I know how Mary's children look, but I don't know nothing

about Harriet. Calvin Shumway is married to Almyra Robertson - I

would inform you that Dea. Groves wife is dead. Mr. Stephen Webb

is dead. Mr. Jonathan Sloniel died in a few weeks after you went

away and Whitman Clark's wife. Erastus Storrs died yesterday.

He was unwell four days. Alven and Ira Bennet's wives are just

as they was when you went away. I don't know as their is any al-

teration in them.


I want to see you all more than pen can describe or tongue express.

Do all write to me often. Please give my love to brother Wales.

Esq., and Mary, Charles, and Harriet. Sally remembers her love to

you and says you must remember the spoons.


So tell Mary and Harriet to write me one letter and write everything

and not slow it up one bit. Charles remembers his love to you and

now I must leave room for others and I come to a close by charging

you to write often. I remain you sincere friend.

T. B.


Please to give my unacquainted respects to Mr. J. B. Emelia, I

want you should come home to be married very much and I wait

on you as handsomely as I know how. Do come.


February the 3, 1820.

Emelia, I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you to in-

form you of my health. I was taken quite unwell the first of Sep-

tember and did but very little of anything for three or four

months, but I enjoy a comfortable state of health for which I

have great reason to be thankful. I was exceeding glad to receive

your letter. I understand by your writing that you are going to

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 18)

[corresponds to page 12 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 1 (continued)

change your situation in life, which is a matter that ought to be

well considered and I was in hopes that you would come home again

to live but I am willing you should answer you own mind. You

wrote you should need your things by next fall. I wish you would

come home next summer and help make your things, if you can make

it convenient. We have spoke for your feathers. I have made you

one flannel blanket. We have the last piece of woollen cloth in

the loom when we received your letter, or I would have made you

more, but I will try to have your things ready by next fall. I

don't see how you can get your things except you come home and we

would give Mr. Benict (Buel?) a hearty invitation to come with you.

I wish you would spend one summer more with us and help fix your

things yourself if you can. If not, I wish you would come in the

fall. I think a great deal about you and the rest of my children

and the little grandchildren, but it is a great comfort to me to

hear that you are all a doing well. I want to come and see you

very much and visit you in your new habitations., but whether I

every shall or not I cannot tell. Your grandmother enjoys her

health as well as usual this winter. She remembers her love to

you all. Remember my love to my children and the rest of our

friends. I want you should write to me soon as you receive this

one. Write when you think you shall come and so I remain your af

fectionate mother and well wisher until death.

Anna Bennett


Old Mrs. Dodge is dead. She died yesterday.



Dear brother, (Nathaniel Barrows)


I now take this opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let

you know of my situation at present. As to my health, it is as

it was when you left Mansfield. I had quite a sick time of it

last fall, but have since recovered. I must now draw to a close

by subscribing myself your friend.

Wm Bennett, Jr.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 19)

[corresponds to page 13 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

February 12, 1820

Ever Near and Dear Children and Friends one and all,


I sit down this evening to write a few lines in answer to your let-

ters which I recd. the first December 29th, dated December 7th in

which you wished me to collect $182 in cash and carry to David Dag-

get of New Haven. Accordingly, I thought it best to apply to Capt.

Storrs and whilst he was gone to Norwich after the money, I received

another from you January 13th, dated December 18th , in which you

wish me to collect $318 Dollars more, making in the whole $500. I

shew him the letter after he got home. He said if he had a known

it, he would have got the whole sum and then applied it to Mr. Turn-

er and he has paid $50 all I could get of him. I had a line from

Mr. Dagget, wishing to know whither I would expect the orders or not.

I wrote back to him that I would and wishing him to inform whither

he would be at Hartford at the seting of the Superior Court. Accord-

ly, he wrote that he would be there February 8 and 9th and on the

8th of February instant I found him in Hartford and paid him $250

and took up the small order with his receipt on the back of it and

he held the rest on the other order and says that he shall be at

Hartford all next week and if it is a possible thing, I intend that

he shall have the money and take up the other order.


Charles wrote in his letter wishing me to go to Waterbury when I

went to Newhaven, but I intend to do the business at Hartford. It

is so much nearer and the traveling so bad. We have a very severe

winter. I believe the snow is all 3 feet deep in the woods and

very much drifted in open land. Roads remarkable blocked up and

we have had severe cold weather most of the winter. It is agreed

on all hands that we have not had such a winter since the year

1780, forty years past.


I have seen Doctor Adams ^1 and he says that the understanding

was that you was to take your pay in the state of Ohio. viz, Charles

was and says that he will write to him soon. Charles wanted to

know whither he was obliged to take land for debts in this state.

The fact is, if you can find no personal property, you can take the

the body or land, just as you please. If you take the body and commit

it to jail, he must maintain himself there so long as he has real estate.

but if you levy on the land, you must eventually take it at the

appraisal of indifferent men.


When you write to me again, please to leave the esq. out, for I am

not known by that, although I am authorized to give the title.


1. Presumably, Dr. Jabez Adams.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 20)

[corresponds to page 14 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

I had like to forgot to inform you that I am as well as usual

for me and hope these lines will find you and yours, too.


(to) Nathaniel W. Barrows, Esq. from Wm. Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 21)

[corresponds to page 15 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 2

May 20, 1820

Mr. Charles Waters

Berkshire

Lewis Settlement

Delaware County

Alum Creek

Ohio


To Emelia:

Though Providence hath separated us, yet it is a privilege that we

both have that we can go to the throne of grace for our selves and

one another. The providence of the Lord extends itself to every -

thing but there is a special providence over the children of God.

The providence of God to the children of God are sanctified prov-

idences. Soul Providences they are instruments of good to their

souls. Again, the providences of the Lord steer the children of

God heavenwards. This, my child, I hope is your happiness, that

you realized that you are under the eye and tuition of a fatherly

and special providence. Let us answer the call of providence

which is to watch and pray and believe. And let us expect good

things from a good God through our faithful and dear Mediator who

ever lives to make intercession for us.


If you change your situation in life, I hope it will be for the

better. But pray, don't flatter yourself of happiness on this

side of the grave, for this world promises a great deal but it

never performs. It is like a jackalantern, it is always a little

ahead but we never arrive to it. I know this by experience for I

have tried it almost 60 years. We shall be glad to see you one

and all in Connecticut when God in providence opens the door.


You will all perceive that I have been pretty misselanous in writ-

ing but I have let my pen follow my thoughts and not haveing time

nor matter to fill a sheet for each one and expecting that you

live so compact that you can all have the advantage of reading,

I thought best to write in this form and direct to Charles.

And now I must draw to a close by requesting an interest in all

your prayers that God would enable me to to serve my generation by

the will of God that I may be gathered to my fathers in peace,

meet all of you in that blest world where parting shall be no more

and spend a boundless and Ever- ending eternity in worshiping Fa-

ther, Son, and Divine Spirit, that this may be the happy lot and

portion of each of us. May God grant for the Redeemer's sake,

so I remain yours.

Emelia Bennett Wm Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 22)

[corresponds to page 16 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

These lines I expect will be conveyed by Mr. Harding Hovey who

says that he is a going to your settlement. Please all of you to

write as often as you can. Some one as soon as you receive this.


Mansfield - May 20th 1820

Ever near and dear children:

I now sit down this evening to write a few lines just to let you

know that I have not forgot you. I am in comfortable state of

health at present, thanks be to God therefor.


I hope these lines will fall into your hands in a time of health,

wealth, and prosperity - I have no news worth a writeing only hard

times and money scarce, which perhaps is no news to you from what

you have wrote heretofore. I have not been to Newhaven since I

recd. your letter and of course not to Waterbury, but I have con-

versed with Doctor Adams a number of times on the subject and if I

am not mistaken he has had correspondance with the man at Water-

bury for he informed me that they did incline to take his note

for what reasons he did not say. But I concluded from our conver-

sation he did not wish to have them. I have delayed writing untill

now, expecting a letter from some of you and should have waited

longer, but as Harding Hovey is going to start soon for Ohio, I

thought that I would write a few lines.


I saw Elder Goodwin this day. He says he remembers his love to you

all and wished me to tell Charles that he had never recd. that long

letter that you promised him. As to my own mind, faint yet pursue-

ing the same as heretofore, I find it a hard thing to exercise

faith when I have most need of it. Please give my respect to

your mother. So I remain yours in sincerity.

Charles Waters Wm. Bennett


Loving child, I understand that you have a son and have named him

after myself. Whether I shall ever see him or not on earth I can-

not tell, but I pray that God may give you grace and wisdom to

train him up in wisdom's ways, always remembering that wisdom"s

ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. Harriot,

always remember that you are born to die and that three things will

prepare you for it (viz) repentence toward God, faith in our Lord

Jesus Christ and sincere and universal obedience. I wish you to

write me the stateof your mind if agreeable and in so doing you

will oblige an aged parent.


Yours in the best of bonds,

Harriot Waters Wm. Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 23)

[corresponds to page 17 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

To Nathaniel W. Barrows

You will perceive by the first page of this that I enjoy a usual

state of health for an old man, but I find that the lighting down

of the grasshopper becomes a burthen to me. I have no special

news to write. Theoda has wrote a letter wherein I expect that

she had informed of the deaths and situation of the people in

these parts, as far as my knowledge extends. We have had a very

severe winter and dry springs. No rain of any consequence until

last night. I expect some of you here before another winter.

Please to give my best regards to your father and father and moth-

er ^1, Orrin and wife, and also Blake in particular. Tell him that

grandpa wants to play with this hay season as he did two years

ago. I wrote you since I paid $250 to David Dagget which was Feb-

ruary the 8th and March the 8th. I paid the $250 and had

orders receipted on the back of them and have them by me. It being

late in the evening and I am very tired, I must draw to a close by

subscribing myself your well wisher through time and eternity.

Nathaniel W. Barrows Wm Bennett


To Mary - I hope there is an indisoluble knot between us that nei-

ther silence nor distance can break in pieces. I mean the unity

of the Spirit. Ever remember to keep the head of the vessel to-

ward the desired part and if you have contrary winds to drive back,

you will arrive safe, for Jesus stands at helm. He is our Priest,,

He is our surety, He is our advocate at the right hand of the Father-

er. O, let us prise and praise Him to eternity. To the Lord's

almighty protection and most gracious favour, I commit you and

yours. Remaining your affectionate parent until we meet again,

Farewell.

Mary Barrows Wm Bennett


1. Soloman and Prudence Barrows

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 24)

[corresponds to page 18 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 3

September 12, 1820

Mr. Nathaniel W Barrows

Orange Delaware Co

Ohio


Mansfield

Sept. 12, 1820


Dear Sir,

I recd. a line by hand of Charles Waters wishing me to procure

some articles for you. Accordingly I collected thirty dollars

and thirty eight cents of Elijah Turner, all there was due from

him to you, and bought

16# of Hyson Skin (?) Tea at Hartford for 62 cts. per # 9.92

4# of Shushong at 42 cts. per #, Bohea there was none 1.68

12 1/4 yd of full cloth at 1 $ per yd 12.25

8 yds of flannel at 42 cts per yd 3.36

27.21

I shall send the remainder of the money by

Charles Waters which is three dollars seventeen cts 3.17

$30.34


That money that is due from Bentley and the Traeyes you re-

quested me likewise to collect and send on by Charles. I

paid immediate attention to it and recd. only thirty five

dollars on the note as yet that I send on by Charles. There

in now due on said note about forty eight dollars which I think

is best to collect and put where you can have it when you send

again. I would observe that there is due to to you from Capt.

Storrs one hundred fifty six dollars, which I believe is safe

and he says that he will pay it when you send for it. Tell

Blake that grandfather has not forgot him and in token thereof

has sent him a hat and he must be a good boy.


I have sent you at your request trammel to the crane and

hooks rag wheel to the loom and hand iron - the bellows and

toasting iron Charles says that he cannot carry.


I would just inform you that we are as well at present as us-

ual for us and I hope that these lines will find you and yours

in health and prosperity. The last letter that we had was from

Harriot and Emelia dated July. Then we understood that your

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 25)

[corresponds to page 19 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


health was gaining and we have been very anxious to hear since.

But not one syllable have we heard. We expect that Charles and

Wm will start tomorrow morning and carry this letter, and if they

live to arrive at Ohio they can tell more than I can write and so

through the hurry of business I must draw to a close, wishing the

blessings of heaven to rest on you and yours in this world and

that which is to come. Please to remember me to all friends,

children in particular. Farewell

Nathaniel W. Barrows Wm Bennett


Mother has sent her three daughters each of them cloth for a

gown, six # of neagerauger and 1# of alum to be divided between

them and likewise has sent to Maryanne cloth for two frocks and

ribbon and a string of beeds and would have sent more but our

silk failed this year. We made but eleven pounds and sends her

love to you all. We have sold no articles that you left with

us except the quill (quilt?) wheel and mother says that she has

sent the silk by Charles.


To Emelia. I have sent you all the articles that you sent for

as far I recollect and seven dollars and eighteen cents in

cash by Charles.


To one and all please to write as often as you can. .

Wm Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 26)

[corresponds to page 20 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 4

February - March 1822

Mr. Nathaniel Wm Barrow

Bitshire County

of Delaware 25

State of Delaware

Mansfield, Feb. the 28, 1822

Dear brother and sister,

I being some time since I have either written or heard from

any of you, I now according to your request will attempt to

write a few lines, hoping that you will have the perrusal of

the same. As to our health through blessings of a merciful

God, I can inform you is good. As to the weather this winter

the ground has been bare for the most part of the time. We

have good sleighing for about 18 or 20 days. We have had some

very cold weather but the cold has been of short duration. As

for new I would inform you that Mr. Bangs (?) Dunham is dead.

Sally Smith is married to Joseph Martinsun (?). Moriah Smith

is married to Rufus Burnham. Morrin Huntington to Lois Thomp-

son. Uncle Samuel King died last fall. His widow has gone

back to live with her children. Capt. Robert Barrows' wife

died not long ago . Jabez Commings is married to Orpha Park-

er. Burnham Hibbird (?) married Clima Barrows on Monday Feb.

the 14. Henry Adams called at the door and left three letters

from the Ohio. We were greatly rejoiced on hearing from you and

hearing that you enjoyed a comfortable state of health.


Tell Blake and Lanman that intend send them some picture books

the first opertunity. I have not forgotten the little children

but the thought is agravated, seeing I cannot see them. We re-

ceived a letter Mr. I. Toplift about 2 months after you wrote

it. Often do I think when by myself of the visit I made you,

of the pleasing hours spent by your firesides in pleasing con-

versation. But the time is over. Let us throw by this melan-

choly thoughts and awake to a more lively theme. Let us consider

it is but a short before we meet in another world. O that it

might be our happy lot to meet in that world to where sighing

and sorrow shall be no more. I do believe that the greatest

thing that we can do in this world is to be prepared for another

which may God grant is the prayer of your friend.


To Wales and Mary Barrows

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 27)

[corresponds to page 21 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

N. B. Please to give my love to Orrin and family, Charles and

family. Jeremiah and Emelia and all enquiring friends.

Wm. Bennet, Jr.


March the 2

Dear children,

I once more take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to let

you know that I enjoy a comfortable state of health at present.

We talk of coming to see you if we can find any company to come

with us. We do not think if safe to set out so long a journey

alone. Charles and Theoda were married the 4 day of last Nov-

ember. They will commence housekeeping the first of April.

Your father has let out his farm to Charles and William. I have

hired Abigail Crain to help do my work this summer. She is

twelve years old. Charles writes that there is an overuleing

hand of providence that is very true, but I don't think that

kind of providence will ever call you to move to Illinois, Mis-

sourie or Indiana. If you should, it would bring me down with

sorrows. I don' t think that his kind disposition can ever do

it and Harriet, I know you never can. Emelia, you write that

it is hard getting money. If you cannot pay for your farms you

must come back to Connecticut. There is room enough in old

Mansfield for all of you and I will promise you a hearty well-

come. Emelia, you wrote that you had a little daughter and

how much you set by her. I dare say you do, but we must re-

member the giver.


Wales, you wrote that you thought some of coming in the fall.

If we go to Ohio this summer you must come back with us. But

if we do not you must certainly come, and bring Mary if she can

come. Please to remember my love to your father and mother*.

Orrin and wife and so I remain you kind parent.


March 4, 1822

Wm and Mother, having wrote what they wished to and the third

page being left, I thought I would write a few lines to let my

children know that I had not forgot them. No, you are all as

placed in different circumstances in this life, yet the same

being protects us one and all. I am enjoying a comfortable


*Soloman and Prudence Barrows

Anna Bennet

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 28)

[corresponds to page 22 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

state of health at present for a man of my years and am cal-

culing to build a house this spring for wood wagon and silk

worms, 36 feet by 18. If I should get my house done and have

some company and providence should open a door otherways, I have

thoughts of comeing to Ohio but I have not calculate much

upon it and I would not have you least we should both be disa-

pointed. But if I don't come, it won't be because that I don't

want to, for I want to see all my children and grandchildren

on this world if it be God's will, but if He has otherwise de-

termined, I pray that we may all have reconciliation thereto.

Time and paper fails me to address you singly. Therefore, I

shall draw to a close by informing that your friends are all

well in these part as my knowledge extends. A general time

of health among us at present although several aged people have

died the year past.


As to religion rather a cold time amongst all professors at

present. I think you had better come and take care of your

money when you can make is convenient. Please to remember me

to your father and mother, Orrin and wife. Tell father that

his brother Lemuel* has made a visit in there parts this win-

ter and was well and left his family so. And now, children,

let us all remember the path of duty is always a safe path to

travel through life and may we all follow it that we may land

in realms of glory. Above is the prayer of your friend untill

death. Please to write when you recd. this.


To Nathaniel and Mary Barrows Wm Bennett

Please remember me to sister Waters if living.


*Lemuel Barrows

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 29)

[corresponds to page 23 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 5

July 27. 1823

Mr. Nathaniel H Barrows

Town of Orange County

of Delaware, State Ohio


Dear Cousin,

Having an opportunity to write a few lines to you to inform how

we fare. We are all in tolerable good health and our circum-

stances as good as we can expect. I must apologize a little for

mother's not answering your letter in due time. Your letter was

received about the time that brother Joseph's wife died, and hav-

ing so much to think of that, she delayed writing. Your letter

was received with great satisfaction. We was glad to hear that

you was in good circumstances and contented there and did not re-

gret your moving to that country, which I believe is a fine count-

ry of land, and can live easier there than we do here, although

I expect that we have many privileges here that you have not there.

Mother received a letter from cousin Susan Dunham last week that

informed us of there circumstances and afflictions since they moved

to that country. It seems as if God had visited them with sick-

ness and death.


I expect that you have heard that Joseph has buried his wife. She

died two years ago the eighth of this month. She left one son

nineteen months old that they call Waldo. She died with the con-

sumption. Mother takes care of Joseph's child and he makes it his

home with mother and so does Sumner. Mother has Charles and her

little Waldo and herself in a steady family. Joseph and Sumner

are to work in Hebron. They are doing very well. As for my fam-

ily, I have myself, husband, and two children. I have two fine

boys that I call Nathan and Edward. The oldest will be four years

old next September and the youngest a year old last March. Both

of them healthy and well.


Aunt Palmer is well and her family. Uncle Denison moved to New

Berlin in York state last fall. We have not heard from him since.

Aunt Palmer received a letter from Uncle Blake in April last that

informed us that he was well and his family. He had been much out

of health but it is restored to him once more. Cousin Peter and

Philena visited Aunt Lucretia Barrows last fall. They found them

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 30)

[corresponds to page 24 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

all well and under good circumstances. Aunt Lucretia has ten

children living. Aunt Wales family are all in good health ex-

cepting Nathaniel. A year ago last spring he had several hard

fits, and his health is not perfectly restored. I don't know

but I have wrote as much as you will have patience to read.


Mother wishes to be remembered to your family and in particular

to your father and mother and wants to see you all. Do remem-

ber me to Orrin and his family and tell his wife that I don't

know anything but that her father and mother, brothers and sis-

ters are all well. You don't know how much I want to see your

father and mother and you and your wife, and your children. I

think if I could see one of you it would do me a great deal of

good. I have thought that Orrin and his wife would visit here

again on account of seeing her friends and still hope they will,

so I remain your cousin,


Abigail Cheney


Mr. Nathaniel Barrow, July 22nd, 1823


P.S. Do write and let me know how you all are. Our fam-

ily all remembers their love to all your family and Orrin and

his wife.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 31)

[corresponds to page 25 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 6

August 31, 1825

Mary Barrows

Orange

Delaware County

Ohio


Dear friends,


I once more embrace this opportunity to converse with our absent

children with pen and ink. I wish to inform you that your fath-

er and mother are enjoying a comfortable state of health at pre-

sent for people of our age, although we find that we are in the

decline of life and a-going down hill as fast as time can roll

us along.


A general time of health among us at present, although some are

sick and some are dead since I wrote last. I expected that Will-

iam would have wrote you a letter until almost the last minute,

as there were 3 of us to write and 3 to write to. But Miss Hanks

informed us that you said that you was coming to Connecticut

this fall. Therefore, we look for you every hour. Theoda has

wrote to Emelia. Therefore, Wm. said that he had no news to

write, but remember his love with Harriot's to you and all in-

quiring friends.


Your friends are all well as far as I know. Your Uncle Asa Ben-

net fails as to the use of his limbs but is able to ride about

in his waggon as yet. I have wrote a letter to Charles, expect-

ing that Wm. would write this, which letter I shall refer you to

for particulars and as it is time that our letters was seald and

sent on to Miss Hanks, I must draw to a close by wishing by wish-

ing to remember our love to you and Jeremiah and Emelia, Orrin

and wife, sister Barrows and all enquiring friends, if any there

be. If you fail of comeing this fall write immediately after

receiving this for we have not heard a single word from you since

January last. Only the remote information that Miss Hanks gave.

We still remember your loving parents until death.


Nathaniel W. and Mary Barrows Wm. and Anna Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 32)

[corresponds to page 26 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut

Letter7

April 9, 1826

Nathaniel W Barrows

Orange Delaware

County Ohio

To be Left at Berkshire

Post office offic

Mansfield Ct Mansfiendo

office


Loving Friends,


A father's and mother's affections are not lost for their child-

ren through the distance of way between them. Although 7 hun-

dred miles of road lies between us, yet you are not forgotten by

us.


Your father and mother enjoy a comfortable state of health at

present for people of our age and we hope these lines will fall

into your hand when you are enjoying the same blessing. We recd.

your letter dated Sept. 14th and was glad to hear from our child-

ren once more. I will assure you we have had a very open winter,

no snow of any consequence. Most of the time mild weather for

Connecticut. Two or 3 days very cold, 1 in December 6 on Tuesday,

1 in January on Tuesday. Very foggy weather which I believe

has caused a great many people amongst us to be unwell. Scarcely

a family or person that escapes, some confined with fever.


Charles Crain had the barn burnt on the farm where he lived on the

14th day of September past about 3 o clock P.M. Charles was not

at home. Eleazar Baldwin, their nearest neighbor, took a skillet

full of live coals of fire, went into the barn, threw it on the

hay mow and it was in a blaze in a moment. Consumed about 16 tons

of hay and all his corn fodder lost and the house very narrowly

escaped. It caught fire a great many time. They carried the

things out of the house into the highway and the sparks of fire

alighting on them burnt holes in the most of them. the neighbors

collecting and by their exertions saved the house. Baldwin was

taken and tried before John Salter, Esq. and bound over to court

in a $1000 bond carryed to goal, tarryed there about 4 or 5 weeks,

was brought back to Mansfield and put into the poor house and

died in a few days. I asked him when at court what made him burn

the barn. He said it was because the devil was in him.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 33)

[corresponds to page 27 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Charles has moved to the Widow Barrows, works for us one half

of the time. This summer he has the up country fever by turns,

but I believe it leans toward the state of New York. Wm Bennett

Crain has got to be a stout lively boy. Your mother and I paid

Charles a visit sometime about the 1st of January. Our horse

stood in the cold the afternoon. We started for home, just be-

fore the sun set. The sd. horse soon became rather unmanagea-

ble. Went to go by another waggon that was before us, overset

the waggon that we was in. It gave me some slight wounds. Hurt

your mother more, especially in her right wrist. Broke no bones

but misplaced some. Painful and lame for six weeks. Since that,

began to use it some but lame with it yet.


You wrote in your letter that you wished us to write how Alvin

and Ira Bennet's wives did. Alvin Bennett was at my house since

and said that I might write that his wife had not borne her weight

on her feet for ten years. Ira's wife we hope is on the gaining

hand as to her health but very slowly. I wrote a letter to you,

dated March 2nd, carryed it part of the way to the post office

and had a letter handed me from Emelia which gladdened my heart

and returned home with both of them, I thought then that I

should write soon, but I have delayed until now. She informed

us of her trials by sickness. We pity and pray for her. That is

all we can do for her at so great a distance. Mother thinks if

she cannot enjoy her health where she is, she had better return

to her native land and I will assure her that I am willing to

intend to write her the next letter.


Asa Bennett, Jr. of Homer (?) died the 9th of December last with

the Consumption. Elijah Abbe died some time in January. Jesse

Bennett died also in January last , 83 years.


You wished to know how grandmother Hunt got along. Very well

for an old lady. Lives almost or quite alone. You wished me

to excuse you for not writing oftener. I shall for this time

but I fear I shall not if you transgress in like manner again.

*Your mother, we understand, is gone and left you. Pray remember

that we shall soon follow. Your uncle Asa Bennett is quite un-

well and we fear that he has got the consumption and will never

be no better. The rest of your friends are well as far as I re-

collect. We wish you one and all to pay us a visit as soon as

you can. I don't know that I shall ever see Ohio. I am an old

man. Was I twenty years younger I should, if it was the will of

the Lord. sometimes I wish that I was there with all my proper-

ty, children and grandchildren, but alas! that don't carry me

there.


We wish to be remembered to all our children and grandchildren,

Orrin and wife and as many more as may enquire after us. My

sheet is drawing to a close. I must leave some room for others

to write. So I must leave you one and all in the hands of Him

who ruleth in the armies of heaven about and among the inhab-

*Prudence Barrows

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 34)

[corresponds to page 28 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

itants of this lower world while I pray for your prosperity

in this world and happiness in the world to come. Farewell.


Nathaniel W. Barrows Wm and Anna Bennett

and Mary Barrows



Mansfield - April 9, 1826

Dearly beloved brothers and sisters:

I once more take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you,

although it is but a few moments since I knew of the opportunity.

But I feel quite willing to improve it, seeing it is the only

way that we can converse with each other. I enjoy my health

very well this spring, but I am not one of the tuff sort and I

never expect to be. I have to take my work as I can hold it,

but I get along without hiring any and I think that I have not

reason to complain. We cannot expect none of us to go through

this unfriendly world with some trouble.


Father mentioned that we had our barn burned last fall. You may

well suppose that I was not a little frightened. The villian

came immediately into the house. He threatened our lives and

used the most profane language that I ever heard come out of any

person's mouth. I felt thankful that I was not alone. Uncle

Asa Crain moved his wife and two children in with us last spring,

one a girl fourteen years of age, the other an infant three weeks

younger than William. He himself went into the country and staid

untill fall and then come back and moved his family. He married

Polly Balch for his first wife. Had I been alone I don't know

what I would have done. We sent the girl immediately to the neigh-

bours and went to clearing the house. The wind being very high

and exactly write to bring the fire and smoke write on to the

house. We expected every moment when it would all be in blaze.

But the neighbors soon collected and we had a little shower of

rain which altogether saved the house but injured our things very

much. But I must leave this subject.


William and Harriet are well. They had a daughter born last No-

vember. She is a lively little thing, and as white as a lilly.

They call her Harriet Jane. Mother thinks a great deal about you

and especially Emelia because she is sick so much. Dear sister,

I do not believe that the climate agrees with you and I would not

stay there. Why not come back to Connecticut? Mother says that

you must be careful and not use to much maple sweetening. O, how

I want to see you all and your children. William is fat and

hearty and as full of mischief as can be. He likes to go to

grandpahs very well. But I must stop writing and leave room for

Charles. Do write to us as soon as you receive this. I shall

write again before long and write to Harriett. This from your

sister.

Theoda Crain.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 35)

[corresponds to page 29 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Friends in Ohio.

I now take pen to write a few words since Father B has me-

tioned my loss last fall. I often think of what C. Waters said

that he should be glad to have some of his neighbors go with

him some. He was thankful he was a going to leave in Mansfield,

such as Sam Wm (?) and Baldwins. I have experienced the effects

of living near E. Baldwin. He is dead and had very few mourners.


I taught school last winter. I sold my stock. I must draw to a

close and subscribe myself your well wisher. Wm and H.B. sends

their love to you.

C. Crain

C. Crain

Father mentioned that we have moved. We had very good luck a

moving and I think that I shall enjoy myself here very well.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 36)

[corresponds to page 30 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 8

October 15, 1827


(Address lost)


Ever Loving children,

I once more attempt to write a few lines just to let you know

that I have not forgotten you. Your father and mother still en-

joy a comfortable state of health for people of our age. We

hope these lines will find you and yours in health both in body

and mind.


A general time of health in Mansfield as your brother Orrin can

inform you concerning that and other things more at large than

I can write. I sent you by Orrin two hundred and eleven dollars

in cash that was your due. All the money that I have of yours

and likewise all the receipts that I took of David Dagget of New

Haven amounting to five hundred dollars. Seventy five dollars of

your money I put into land and I will do the best for you that I

can concerning that. I thought that I had better have the land

than nothing. I expect that you will pay us a visit next spring

and we shall have no difficulty between us concerning that. I

shall send one pound H.S. Tea by Orrin to Mary as a token that I

have not forgotten her and like wise 6 quarts of high (?) wine.

Orrin must have enough of it to pay for carrying. Mother sends

Mary some articles as a present, done up in a bundle, her name

wrote on a piece a paper and put into the bundle. Your mother and

I did not think it best to set out with Orrin for Ohio this fall.

We expect you will pay us a visit next spring and whither we

shall go back with you or not we cannot tell so long beforehand.


Our crops of hay come in exceeding well land a fine time to get

it. Rye about middleing. Corn I believe the same. I shall re-

fer you to your brother for particulars and draw to a close by

wishing you both health, wealth and prosperity in this world and

in the world to come Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Please to write oftener than you have the year past. Farewell.

Your Uncle Asa Bennett died August 21.

Nathaniel W. and Mary Barrows Wm and Anna Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 37)

[corresponds to page 31 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 9

February 10, 13, 25, 1828


Mansfield Center

Feby 13th 1828

Nathaniel Barrows

Orange Delaware County

Ohio

to be left at Berkshire

Post Office


Mansfield - February the 10

Sunday evening


Much beloved brother and sister,


Haveing an unexpected oppertunity to write a few lines to you,

I gladly improve it , hopeing by this to hear from you, as we

have not heard one word from you since Orin went away. We some-

times think that your letters have been lost on route, but we

are more apt to think that some of you are very sick, but if it

is the case, I hope that you will write and ese our anxious minds.


Our family are all well. William goes to school very steady this

winter and learns to read well. He tells a great deal about his

Ohio cousins and says when he gets to be a man, he shall go and

see them. We talk of going home to live with father and mother

in the spring. William is a going to have the large building

that was put up for a silkhouse moved across the road and made

into a dwelling house for him. He has got his celler partly dug.

I think when it is finished it will be a very elegant building.

Father and mother don't feel willing to have us go into the count-

ry at present and so long as they feel unwilling, I don't feel as

though it was our duty to go. Mother's health is not so good

this winter but I am in hopes that her cough will get better in

the spring. She always has a bad cough every winter. She wants

to see you all very much and I feel in hopes, brother and sister,

if there is know hindrances in the way that you will come home

next season and spend the summer with us and if father and mother

are well, I think they will go back with you. They talk more

and more about it. I think they would gone back with Orrin if it

had not been so in the fall, but I don't feel willing to have them

set out alone. You must, some of you, come home next summer. I

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 38)

[corresponds to page 32 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

should be very glad to see Orrin and his wife. Please to give

my love to them and tell them we should be very glad to receive

a letter from them. Remember my love to all my brothers and sis-

ters and tell them I want they should all write to us. I sent

three letters by Orrin, one to each of my sisters and this will

make the fourth. I feel very anxious to hear from Emelia.


It is late in the evening and I must draw to a close. Charles

remembers his love to you all. He is confined in the school

house every winter. He has got a most tired of keeping school.

He has from 60 to 70 schollars in a day and it keeps him very

busy. Please to overlook all mistakes as I have wrote this in

a hurry. This from you sister and well wisher untill death.


Wales and Mary Barrows Theoda Crain


Feby 13th, 1828

Mansfield.


Ever beloved children

I have thought it best to write once more to you if you won't

to me. When Orrin left Mansfield, I though that he agreed to

write as soon as he arrived at home, but 4 long months are

past and gone since we have heard a word from you. I have

waited and waited untill I have concluded that Orrin had forgot

his promise or that his letter had miscarryed or that he has

never got home., but are still very anxious to hear from you all

and what luck he had in returning back to Ohio.


I enjoy a comfortable state of health at present for a man of

my years, thanks to Almighty God. Therefor, your mother is trou-

bled with asthma disorder this winter. More than usual has

a very heavy cough, but keeps about house the most of the time

and does the most of her house work. Theoda helps her some at

turns about her washing. As to the weather, an uncommon winter

so far. November was a severe month. for the most part of it,

we had a snow and cold weather which began about the 6th or 7th

which lasted mostly through the month. We had our potatoes dug

and the last cheese of cyder on the press, but there was some

potatoes lost. Since that we have had but very little sleigh-

ing and sleding. Our snow storms begin and quick turn to rain

which makes a little icy crust on the earth. But warm weather

soon follows and the very muddy and bad traveling.


We want to come and visit you all very much more than pen can des-

cribe, but whither or no we ever shall God only knows. We talk

about it almost every day and dream some about it at night.

If we ever come it must be before many years as we are a growing

old and that passage in Holy Writ begins to be realized by us;

"The lighting down of the grasshopper becomes a burthen." If

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 39)

[corresponds to page 33 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

we should think it best and providence should open the door, I

believe it will be best for us to come by water. Please to write

in as soon as you receive this how near we can get to you by wa-

ter. I expect that Charles Crain will improve the most of my land

the year to come. You must not look for us untill you see us for

it is uncertain whither we ever see Ohio or our children again,

but we wish to be reconciled to that providence that governs all

things for the best. But if we never meet again on this earthly

ball, my heart's desire is that we may so live and conduct the

few remaining moments that is allotted us on earth that we may

all meet in that blest world where parting is no more.


Your Grandmother Hunt* enjoys as comfortable a state of health

as can be expected for a woman of her age. The last time that I

saw Alvin Bennett he told me that his wife could walk from the

bed to the fire. Ira Bennet's wife is no poorer and we hope

gains her health some.


As to religion, a very low time in general in those parts, par-

ticularly in Mansfield. Elder Godwin is here yet. Some say

that he is going away the 1st of next April. How that is, I

cannot tell. I believe that his usefulness is done here.

Wm and Anna Bennet


February 25th

After all the trials that we have been called to pass through

in chh affairs, if my heart don't deceive me, I think I can say

with the prophet Naum, "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the

day of trouble and He knoweth them that put their trust in Him."

Zion's God still lives and the government is on his shoulders.

Don't let us be weary in well doing for in due season we shall

reap if we faint not. The Lord has set His furnace in Zion

and He will purify His children. But pure gold never looses

nothing by going through the fire. It is only the dross that is

burnt off.


We send our love to all our children and grandchildren, Orrin

and wife and all enquiring friends, if any there be. So I must

draw to a close for want of room, wishing you all the best of

heaven's blessing in this world and everlasting happiness in

the world to come. This from your parents and well wishers

untill death.


Nathaniel W. and Mary Barrows Wm and Anna Bennett


Please to direct your letters to Mansfield Central post office.


*Mary (Abbe) Hunt, wife of John Hunt, Jr.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 40)

[corresponds to page 34 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Mansfield, February the 10

Dear brother and sister,


Having an opportunity to write a few lines in father's letter,

I now gladly embrace it.


Myself and family are enjoying a good state of health at present.

We have had two weakly infant children to attend to but they have

of late become quite healthy. I have had to get out of bed

twice almost very night to nurse one of them on the bottle while

my wife nursed the other one the breast. But I find that they

are gaining my affection very fast. But may I never be left to

set my affections altogether upon my children, knowing they are

but lent blessings.


We long to hear from you very much, having not heard a word from

you this 4 long months. Orrin also promising to write when he

got home. it causes many anxious feelings. Sometimes we think

some of you are sick the reason you have not written. sometimes

we imagine the letter (if you have wrote one) has miscarried. Do

write on the receipt of and let us know the reason and quiet our

anxious fear. Please to accept myself and companion our best

respects and well wishes to all the brothers and sisters, Orrin

and wife and all enquiring friends. Emelia, you wrote that you

wished to receive a letter from me. You and Jeremiah will write

me a letter I will write you return. So I remain friend and bro-

ther.


To Wales and Mary Barrows Wm Bennett, Jr.


Our twins, we weighed them today. They weighed 12 lb. each.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 41)

[corresponds to page 35 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 10

August 22, 1828



(Address lost)



Mansfield - Aug. 22nd 1828

Kind Brother and Sisters,


With a degree of satisfaction, I take my pen to write to you,

thinking probable it is the last time I ever shall have this priv-

ilege. Dear brother Nathaniel, affections inclines us to regard

each other's person and welfare. The distance that separates us

is great, not probable we ever shall meet in this world. The al-

lotment of divine providence doth divide near friends here on

earth. But it is of the greatest moment to be prepared to meet in

that world of bliss when the whole assembled universe shall be

called together. O my friends, _____________ in with the overtures of

mercy and grace on Gospel terms, that we may have part in the

first resurrection on which the second death shall have no __________.


The most particular information I have had since your removal to

Ohio is by the way of Dea. William Bennett of Mansfield. I hope

these lines may reach you some time or other, but when I ______________ not

the cause of this letter being dated at Mansfield is on account of

my being here as I am out of health, taken unwell the last of Aug-

ust one year ago, and I am the last of Oct pretty much confined to

the house through the winter. On the 12th of May started from

house at Greentown and I have spent this summer in Mansfield and

by the salt water and on Long Island and prepare soon to go on my

journey for Greentown as it is being almost four months since I

left my family. I am anxious to see them. My health is _________ but

feeble and what is desired for me in __________lengthen out of my days

is unknown to me. I sometimes almost conclude my time is very

short here on earth.


Let that be as it may. O that I may do the work of the day while

life doth last. I must acquaint you with all my family. My wife

is in a low declining state of health with the consumption. I

have five children, the 3 eldest daughter are married. I have but

one son and my youngest daughter lives at home. (My circumstances

are comfortable)

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 42)

[corresponds to page 36 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

O my brother and sister, prepare to meet God. Your days as well

as mine are almost finished and it is of the greatest moment to

exchange worlds.


It is in general a time of health in this country. The Lord is

gathering in a great harvest of souls in Mansfield - unto the lib-

erty and enjoyment of the truth.


While writing these lines this morning sister Elizabeth sends

her love to you. I wish you to give my love to your sons and

their families. Tell them to write to me, if any oppertunity

presents, and other ways by the mail. I live in Greenton, county

of Oneida, state of New York.


I come to a close from your affectionate brother.

Lemuel Barrows


Mr. and Mrs. Soloman Barrows

Ohio

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 43)

[corresponds to page 37 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 11

September 5, 26, 1831

Mr. Nathaniel W Barrows

Union Post Office

Delaware County

Ohio


Mansfield - September 5th, 1831

Ever beloved and much respected children one and all,


I once more sit down to take pen in hand to write a few lines

to those who are at a great distance in body but not in mind,

for you are as fresh in our minds as when you left your native

land. We can assure you, your mother and myself, through the

blessing of that God who has preserved us all our life long to

this present moment, enjoy a comfortable state of health for

people of our age. And we hope that these lines will find you

in health and prosperity.


I received a letter from you the 1st Monday of January, dated

December 17, 1930. I have not heard from any of you since I

wrote a letter to Ohio and directed it to Jeremiah Buel, dated

February 17th, 1831, and expected one in return long before

this. But as none has arrived and have waited and waited untill

I concluded that the letter has either miscarried or you

one and all have forgot your parents. If you have not, I shall

expect a letter very soon after you receive this.


You wrote I thought as though you had an idea of visiting us and

and we some expected you but we are disappointed. I hope we

shall not be the year to come if our lives are spared.


Oliver Bingham shew me a letter that he rec'd from Isaac Waters

informing him that his sister Ruth lived nearby him. The letter

was dated July 1831, Peoria Lake, Illinois. Charles Crain has

bought the building and 9 acres of land that Joshua Parker owned

at his decease a mile south of Robert Barrows, where Mr. Eleazar

Wright formerly lived. His health has returned in a good degree.

He began to labour in July and gained slowly ever since.


Our crop of grass is very good. We have had a very hot summer

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 44)

[corresponds to page 38 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

and plenty of rain. Our crops of rye a little blasted. Corn

I believe about middleing. Not a very good summer for silk.

We have made only 26#. Our daughters will wish to know the

state of religion amongst us. No alteration in the Baptist

chh for the better as yet. Elder John Hunt removed here with

his family the 1st of last April. He paid me a visit about 10

days past. Come about 9 o'clock in the morning and tarryed un-

till 4 p.m. Appears to be a very agreeable man. He stated

that is was his wish and all the members of the chh that he

had conversed with that I should go with the chh, but I cannot

go a free man untill the chh removes some things out of the

way and I believe some part of the chh are of the same mind for

they have told me so. Last day in August Elder Hunt changed

with Elder Esek Brown of Lebanon and we have not had two such

sermons since Eld. Brunson left Mansfield. He stated that the

oldest inhabitant of Lebanon never saw such a reformation be-

fore as there then was in Lebanon. He appeared like a man

that come out of a fire and his heart all on fire with love to

God and fellow men. We gave him a very attentive hearing and

when he had done preaching he called on some of the brethren

to pray, waited a while and got up, prayed himself. So you

may judge the situation the Baptist Chh is in. Although re-

formation all around us, not only at Lebanon, but likewise at

Windham at the state where factories are and also Ashford.


Mother Hunt removed the 1st of last April to her grandson, Eli-

sha Hunt. Was very well for her the last that we heard from

her. Alvin Bennet and wife was at my house two weeks ago to-

day. His wife is pretty hearty. Does all her housework.

Since last March Ira Bennett's wife remains very much as she

was when you left Mansfield. It has been a general time of

health with us the season past. Storrs - Dimmick on the 1st

Monday of April went to his nearest neighbors, but a few rods,

asked for a draft of cyder, drank it, went home took a rope

went to his barn, hung himself. Was found a corpse. John Salt-

er, Esq. died in June. Had been unwell for some months. The

the doctors could tell what ailed him. Enoch Barrow, Ger-

shom Barrows' son, died in August with a fever.


I must draw to a close and leave room for others to write. Your

father and mother desire to be remembered to all their children

and grandchildren, Orrin (Barrows) and wife and all enquiring

friends if any there be. Farewell.


Nathaniel W. and Mary Barrows William and Anna Bennett


September the 26


Much respected friends,


I now sit down to write a few lines to you. You will see by our

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 45)

[corresponds to page 39 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


dates that it is some time since this letter was begun, but we

have delayed sending it until now, thinking that it might be

possible that brother Wales and sister Mary were on the road

to Connecticut, but it is got to be so late in the season,

that we have given up all hopes of their coming this fall.

We are enjoying a comfortable stat of health, excepting Amel-

ia, our little babe. She is quite unwell with the diarrhea,

something like the disentary, but not so bad. I need not tell

you that she is another darling with us all. She creeps all

over the house, but she is only a lent blessing to us and, O,

May the Lord help us to remember it and not love her too well.

William grows very fast. He is a very hearty, well child. He

has been to school four months this summer and has learnt well.

He says I must give his love to all his cousins in Ohio. Char-

les' health is not so good as it was before he was sick, but

he keeps to work all the time. Father mentioned that we have

bought us a piece of land. The house is as good as this where

we now live and as much room in it, if not more, and a good

barn and silkhouse and mulberry trees enough for 10 or 12 pounds

of silk. It was sold at vandae (?). We gave four hundred and

fifty dollars. People in general say it is well worth five

hundred.


William and his family are well. He enjoys his health much bet-

ter than he used to. I think that health is the greatest bless-

ing that we can enjoy here in this life. Do write to us as soon

as you receive this. I suppose that it is the case with you as

it is with me since I have had a family to take care of. I have

always something to keep me busy. I can't get time to write but

I must hasten, for Mother will be tired of tending Amelia. Give

my love to Orrin (Barrows) and his wife. Mother feels anxious

to hear from Mary as she was quite unwell the last time we heard

from her. When you have not wrote for a long time we always

think that some of you are sick. Mother and I think and talk a

deal about you all. Please to except of Charles and my love and

best wishes. I want to write more but Amelia is so worrisome

that I cannot. This from your sister.

Theoda Crain

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 46)

[corresponds to page 40 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Letter 12

May 16, 26, 1833

Mr. Nathaniel W Barrows

Orange Delaware

County, Ohio


Mansfield, May 16th, 1833


I once more take pen in hand to converse with absent friends.

Dear children and grandchildren one and all, I will inform that

we are still living, the spared monuments of God's mercy. Bless

the Lord, O my soul.


Therefore, father and mother are enjoying in general as comfort-

state of health as can be expected for people of our age in gen-

eral, although your mother was taken a few week past with weak-

ness in her eyes but has got better.


Death reigns amongst us yet. Edmund Freeman, Esq. died about 5

or 6 weeks past. I believe his death was in some measure caused

by intemperance. Old Mrs. Hall, widow of Greshom Hall, died 2 or

3 weeks past with old age, more than 90 years old. Samuel Storrs

died about 2 months ago. Had a sore on his foot which proved a

mortification. Daniel Clark's wife of Chaplin was buried last

Sunday, an old lady, sister to James Slate of Mansfield. She took

a shaving to light her pipe, and had on cotton clothes that took fire.

Burnt her so that she lived but bout 2 days. I don't know but

you was acquainted. Guiles Stebbins of Ashford died 6 or 8 weeks

past, caused by the sin of intemperence. And so we go one after

another. God grant that we may prepared for that important

change. Mr Marvin Fenton's wife was put to bed 2 or three months

past. The child is dead. I saw him today. He says his folks are

all well.


25th. I wish you would write me a letter and make a statement how

the accounts stand between you and myself as to worldly matters.

When I received the notes of you I thought I would keep an exact

memorandum. Accordingly, I began but through the multiplicity of

business or carelessness, the paper I cannot find. It is likely

that you have kept the account and wish you to make a statement

that shall answer your own mind.


I recieved letter from Charles Waters dated January 20th and Feb-

ruary 17th and was glad to hear from you. I expected until then

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 47)

[corresponds to page 41 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


that you and Mary would make us a visit this season, but he in-

formed me that you had undertaken to build a school house. I

hope you won't undertake one next year, for I shall expect to

see you both in Connecticut if our lives are spared until that

time.


As to visiting you, it is not likely we ever shall whilst here

in the body, although I sometimes mount Fancie's airy horse, to

to Ohio and pay a visit to you and Mary and likewise Charles and

Harriet, form an acquaintance with my son-in-law Buel and renew

the acquaintance with Emelia and all your children. but, alas,

when the reverie is over, I am still in old Connecticut just

where I was before my mind took its flight.


Perhaps the girls would wish to know something about the state

of religion. Very low in old Mansfield, although we still main-

tain an outward visibility. Elder Hunt remains with us yet and

preaches on Sundays. Masonary and Antimasonary runs pretty high

amongst us at present. Temperance societies are forming pretty

generally, which makes a bustle with some people.


We live in a very eventfull day. I advise myself and everybody

else to be calm and wait and judge nothing before the time, for

we are informed all things work together for good to those

that love God.


As to my mind, I realize by times I hope that I have a short time

to spend here on earth at the longest and not matter how short if

I am prepared for that important change of death.


I had like to forget to mention the death of Elisha Hunt, a hearty

robust man. Worked on Saturday, was take in the evening follow-

ing with cramp convulsions, thought by some to be the collera.

Died the night following. Your grandmother Hunt enjoys a very

comfortable state of health, the last we heard from, say ten days

past.


May 29th. I received 3 letters yesterday, said to be conveyed

by D. Bingham. I was glad to hear from Ohio. I have not seen

the man but intend to pretty soon. Elder Bradley paid us a visit

sometime the last of March. Staid with us all night. Inquired

whereabouts in the state of Ohio you lived. Said he would pay

you a visit. Uncle Soloman Abbe is yet living for aught I know

but no better the last we heard from him. Elisha Hunt died some

time in March. I had this letter wrote mostly before I heard of

the arrival of Mr. Bingham and thought I would send it on and

write again when he returned. Your mother's health will not ad-

mit setting out such a journey at present. I am well persuad-

ed although she says that she wishes she was there. We one and

all send our love to our children and grandchildren, Mr. Orrin

Barrows and wife, Mr, Fenton and family and enquiring friends, if

any there be.

Yours in the best of bonds, Farewell

Nathaniel W. and Mary Barrows Wm and Anna Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 48)

[corresponds to page 42 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Sunday morning, May 26th, 1833


Dear brothers and sisters,


Having an opportunity of writing a few lines in Father's letter,

I now improve it.


It is now past 12 years since I have seen any of your faces. Yet,

having been with you in years past, I can imagine something how

you look, but imaginary things are far from realities. There has

been great alterations in Mansfield since you left the place.

Death has mown down many of its inhabitants, yet we are still

monuments of the spared mercy of God. There have been many mal-

adies around about us. A great many children have had the canker

or scarlet fever. The measels have been in Mansfield over a year,

but we as yet have had none of these destempars (?) except Theoda

and her children. Theoda had them very hard. Left her in a very

low state of health last year. Sr. now recovering her usual heal-

th.


We were glad to recieve a few lines from Blake and Ann (Barrows).*

I have not forgotten the children. We hope they will write again.

We hope, too that your children will visit your native land. Do

come and see your aged parents once, if no more, if it is possible.

You cannot imagine how much father and mother want to see you

and your children.


Uncle Soloman Abbe is very sick if living. As to my own health,

I am trouble yet with the catarrh, but I am able to labor most of

the time. My children are very healthy which is a great blessing.


Accept of my best wishes for your prosperity together with my

wife. Give my best respects to Orrin Barrows and family, Mr. Fen-

ton and all inquiring friends if any.


Wm Bennett, Jr.


*Mary Anna, b. 16 Dec., 1818. since the party left Connecticut

in early fall of that year, Mary Barrows must have been far a-

long in her pregnancy at the time of the long journey west.

Anna died 19 Aug. 1854. No record of marriage.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 49)

[corresponds to page 43 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Letter 13


September 28, November 28, 1833

Mr Nathaniel W

Barrows Orange

Delaware county

Ohio

Mansfield
Connecticut
Nov 28th


Mansfield, Sept. 28, 1833


Ever near and dear children one and all:


Having an oppertunity as I expect to send a letter to you free

expense, I set down to write a few lines to inform you that Fa-

ther and Mother are enjoying a comfortable state of health at

present for people of our age and hopeing that these lines will

find you and yours enjoying the same blessing.


I recd. a letter from Charles dated August 21st and was glad to

hear that you were all well. But it is so long since I rec. one

from you that I can not recollect the date. He informed that he

was disappointed that we not come with the Illinois men but not

more so then we was that no one of you paid us a visit this fall.


Charles wrote that he wished me to inform him something about the

Black Laws of Connecticut. I have not got information enough yet

to judge the matter but give it my opinion that the law respecting

the people of colour is a limb of monarchy made by men professing

themselves democrats.


We visited your grandmother Hunt yesterday. She was well and quite

spry for a woman of her age. Your cousin, Thomas Barrows is un-

well, has done no work all summer. I fear he has got the consumpt-

ion. Theda is unwell. She has a maid to do her house work. Has

never been well since she had the meazles last spring.



As to the produce of the earth: grass not a heavy crop. Corn some

say not more than half a crop in these parts. Oats pretty heavy.

Rye very good in general. Fruit a great plenty. I believe that

we had apples enough for more than 200 b. of cyder if we saved

them but that is impossible. Cyder worth from 45 to 50 cts B.

Some people offer their apples to anyone that will pick them up

and carry them off. Other offer the use of their cyder mill grat-

is.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 50)

[corresponds to page 44 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield,
Connecticut]

But I must draw to a close and leave room for others to

write. Perhaps this may be the last time that I shall ever

write to any of you since death reigns yet. Elder Eiseck (Is

sac?) Brown, Baptist minister at Lebanon, died about 2 weeks

since with the Typhus fever, sick but a short time, I shall

expect you will write as soon as you read this. Father and

Mother sends their love to all their children, grandchildren,

Mr. Orrin Barrows and wife, and all enquiring friend if any

there be. And, O, that we may one and all so conduct the few

remaining moments that we have to spend here on earth that

when time with us shall be no more, we may meet in that blest

world, where parting will be no more.


Yours in the best of bonds,


Nathaniel W. and Mary Barrows Wm. and Anna Bennett



Dear Brother and Sister,


Having an oppertunity of writing a few lines to you, I now set

down with pen, ink and paper to converse with absent friends.

As to my health, it is comfortably good although not so good

health as people in general. My family are all well. I have

five boys and two girls. One of the girls live with her grand-

father Dunham the most of the time and Jane with mother.


I think if I was in Ohio with my family, it would be much bet-

ter for me, but I don't know as providence will ever open a door.

My wife thinks it would be a great undertaking to go with so

large a family so great a distance. I often think of the pleas-

ing visit I made you twelve years ago. But since that time there

has been great changes. We anticipated much of seeing some of

you there this fall, but was disappointed and when we shall see

each other again the Lord only knows. We got a comfortable liv-

ing but have to work hard. Our children are not large enough to

help much but hope if their lives are spared, they will help some.

They are all healthy children. Our youngest is most three months

old. We call his name Wm Henry.


We have made most 30 pounds of silk. Mother was much disappoint-

ed not seeing some of you this fall. They could not get ready to

so long a journey in so short a time as to go with Mr. Bingham. I

expect that there has been great alterations in your neighborhood

since I was with you. Yet I think I can something how you are lo-

cated. I do not as yet give up the idea. If our lives are spared

we shall see one another faces this side of eternity, but the Lord

only knows. And, dear relative, may it be our prayer that we may

be reconciled to the will of Divine Providence in whatsoever sit-

uation we may be pleased to have a well grounded that it shall be

well with us beyond the grave. Let us not trust to uncertainties,

but may we know by happy experience that we have passed from death

unto life, we have been born again for such and those only can en-

ter the kingdom of heaven. I think the longer I live in this vain

world, the more I see the necessity of being prepared for another.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 51)

[corresponds to page 45 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield,
Connecticut]


And now, my dear friends one and all, if it should be our lot to

meet again on the shores of time, may meet in that world above

where parting is no more and so I must draw to a close by sub

scibing myself your brother,


Wm Bennett, Jr.

to Nathaniel and Mary Barrows


P.S. I believe that Mr. Fenton's friends are all well. Give

my best repects to O. Barrows and family.


November 27th, 1833

I wrote that I expected to send this letter by a private convey-

ance as I was informed that a man was a going from Hampton right

down to Ohio. I sent the letter there and it has lately return-

ed. I shall put it into the post office. Nothing very interest-

ing taken place since I wrote. Charles Crain is a keeping school

in this district. Theoda health is better than it was when I

wrote. I must leave writing as I have an opportunity to send it

to the post office.


Farewell yours till death.


Wm Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 52)

[corresponds to page 46 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield,
Connecticut]


Letter 14

May 22, 1835


Nathaniel W. &

Oren Barrows

Orange Delaware Co


Dear Brothers.

It is with pleasure I take my pen to inform you of our health

that we are all well as we generally are, likewise Brother Storrs

family. Blake and Amelia are at my house. Blake is going to

Agdenbugh (?) tomorrow to take the steam boat to go the Ohio and

and if he should not come to you direct when he should stop he

will mail these lines, with such additions as he should think

proper.


Lorenzo left home the 2 day of this month to go to see you and

see if he could get a school. If he has got there I want he

should write and let me know if I can sell a good span of horses toward

land. We want Lorenzo to write particular about his health. I

hope it will be for his health in going there.

Asa Barrows


May 22th, 1835

N. W. and Oren Barrows

Lorenzo Barrows


Mary 23rd. We have a good frost this morning. My corn just com-

ing out of ground and it looks sorry. You may depend I have

got sick wintering here in the summer. I want to see you all.


Asa Barrows

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 53)

[corresponds to page 47 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield,
Connecticut]


Letter 15

June 24, 25, 1836


Wm

Mary Barrows

Orange

Delaware County

Ohio


Mansfield, June 24, 1836


We received a letter from Ohio dated February 21st 1836 which

informed us of the death of one who was near and dear to us

but nearer to you. We feel to mourn and sympathise with you

but know not as yet what it is to part with a near and dear

loving companion. How soon we may experience such a trial,

God only knows. But in all our afflictions we have a Father

to go to that meets out all the dispensations of His providence

and grace in infinite mercy and wisdom to all his creatures.

And O, that you, my dear child, may have grace given you to

acquiesce in all the troubles and trials that you are called

to pass through in this wilderness world, realizing this is

not our abiding home. We, while here, have to experience the

truth of what our blessed Lord and Savior left as legacy to

all his followers where He says: "In the world you shall have

tribulation, but be of good comfort I have overcome the world,"

And my prayer is that you may be enabled to kiss the rod and

bless Him that hath appointed it. We short sighted creatures

cannot comprehend one of a thousands of the dispensations of

God to the children of men, but let it suffice us to be enabled

to be able to apprehend that for which we are apprehended of in

Christ Jesus.


I have wrote that which was uppermost in my mind first, but will

inform you that your father and mother are still living and en-

joying a comfortable state of health at present for people of

our age, although your mother is a good deal run down as to bod-

ily health, but yet is able to do our house work as yet. Wm's

oldest girl is quite unwell and has been so for some time taken

with a slow fever. The doctor has pretty much broke that but

still she remains in a feeble state. The rest of Wm's folk are

well and also Charlies. Liet. James Slate is dead. He died I

believe some time in the month of April last. Pretty much with

old age. He was about 85 years old and so one goes after anoth-

er. Whose turn it will be to called next we don't know and it

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 54)

[corresponds to page 48 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield,
Connecticut]


is no matter if we are prepared. I have got to be almost the

oldest man that attends our meeting and some hard of hearing.

But I thank God I can yet hear the preaching when the Gospel in

sounds in the likeness of the Apostles' preaching with the Holy

Ghost sent down from Heaven. Other kind of preaching does but

little good in our world in my opinion.


I well remember the place where Wales and I gave each other the

parting hand. We could neither of us speak, although we enter-

tained hopes that we should see one another in this world. But,

alas; the wise ruler of the universe has ordered it other wise

and now let us look away from time things and by a hand of faith

take hold of the glorious promises that we find recorded in the

volumes of our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There

we are informed that all things work together for good to those

that love God and likewise those afflictions which are but for a

moment (when compared with eternity) worketh not for us a far

more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at

the things which are seen which are temporal, but at the things

which are not seen, which are eternal. You can plead precious

promises that you could not when your companion was alive. For

He hath said that He would be a God to the widow and fatherless.

David says in Psalm 68 and 5 verse, a father of the the fatherless

and a judge of the widow is God. David has also informed us He

relieveth the fatherless and widow. You are not brought as yet

into so trying circumstances as Job was and he says: "Though

He slay me, yet I will trust in Him." I need not mention no

more; the Bible is full of precious promises to those that love

God

Mother sends her love to you in particular and says that she

thinks a great deal about you in lonesome situation. You

write that you wish Father and Mother was with you in Ohio. We

wish the same, but it is not very likely we ever shall be for

we have arrived to that age that the lighting down of the grass-

hopper has become a burden to what it was once. But we wish

you to pay us a visit if God in His providence should open the

door. If you ever expect to see us again in the land of the

living. And now Father and Mother send their love to all their

children and grandchildren, Mr. Orrin Barrows and wife and

other enquiring friends, if any there be. And so we recommend

you child, to God - who can supply all our wants as he sees

best out of His fullness. We still remain your loving parents

until death.


W. Mary Barrows Wm and Anna Bennett


We wish you to write soon. I believe that Mr. Fenton's folks

are well.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 55)

[corresponds to page 49 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

June 25th

Kind Sir,


As I received a letter from you as you will perceive on the

first page of this and as I had nothing more in particular to

write to Mary, I will write a few lines to you.


We have had a very hard, cold winter, a backward spring, very

dry the most of the month of May. Wind 1st days northeast at

one time but no rain. Our corn came up very poorly in general.

Had to to plant the most of it the second time. But within a few

days past a plenty of rain. Wind northeast again and very cold

for the time of year. I tell you the prospects of we farmers

looks very dubious at present. Corn and rye is selling at 1.23

per bushel, oats from 55 cts. to 60. Our crops of rye and grass

on the ground not very promising but all this is of a worldly

nature.


As to the Baptist Chh here, you have described very correctly

in your letter. Elder Wm Bowen, an Englishman 38 years of age,

has a wife but no children, has agreed to preach with us one

year from the 1st of last April. He preaching strict Calvin-

istic doctrine (but not rigid). He appears to be much engaged

in the preaching of the Gospel and I hope that the Lord will

assist him and if He does, we shall have a reformation among us

and not without. I believe that there is hireling clergymen.

But please to cast your eye upon the apostle in Philippians

1st chapter from 15 to 19th verses. I believe that the enemy

is a comeing in like a flood, but we informed that the spir-

it of the Lord shall lift up a standard against Him. As to my

own mind, rather cold and stupid, but I trust the Lord opened

to my view the plan of salvation by Jesus Christ (56 years last

December). It attracted all the powers and faculties of soul

and I have not been much shaken in principle since.


Dear sir, I wish you to pay us a visit and bring Harriot, Mary,

Emelia and her companion and I believe that will pay the most

if not all that you owe me.


The widow Irena King is dead, James King's widow. It is a very

shakeing time. It appears that everything right and wrong is

bought forward at this day, all which points out to me that we

are bordering on the latter day glory when the lion and the lamb

shall lie down together, when the light of the morn shall become

as the light of the sun and the light of the sun seven-fold.

Let you and I be co-workers together with God and we shall get

the blessing. And now I desire to recommend myself with all my

children and grandchildren and the whole Zion of God and all the

world of mankind into the hands of Him who will do right by all

His creatures.


And so I remain your unworthy Father until death. Farewell.

Please to write again as soon as you receive this.


Charles Waters William Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 56)

[corresponds to page 50 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 16

August 16, 1837



Widow

Mary Barrows Orange

Delaware County

Ohio


Mansfield, August 16th, 1837


Dear Children, one and all:

I once more sit down with pleasure and take my pen in hand to con-

verse with absent friends who are as dear and near to me as when

I last saw your faces. Your father and mother are yet living on

these mortal shores and enjoying a comfortable state of health

for people of our age, thanks to Almighty God. Therefor, although

we are in some measure sensible that we are drawing towards the

close of life, When and where is not so much matters as it is to

be prepared therefor.


Your friends are all well for aught I know, except Jane, William's

oldest daughter, who is very sick, has not been well for nearly a

year, but was able to be about until sometime last winter. Was

taken down and confined to the house and for some months past to

the bed and now all the while except some one holds her in their

arms while another makes the bed. Doctor Brigham attends upon

her every day and we have had another doctor to consult with him

three of four times. Wm has so large a family that it was thought

best to remove her to our house. Accordingly, Doctor B. took her

in his arms and brought to her grandpa's by her request, in order

to have her more remote from noise. How long she will continue is

uncertain with us, but perfectly known to God. Be we gained a

comfortable hope some weeks past that it will well with her af-

ter her spirit leaves the body. Her disorder is what the doctors

call "Dispepsia vis a Disorder in the stomach", said by some the

poorest person in flesh that they ever saw. It comes pretty hard

upon her grandparents. She was born in our house and always has

eat and drank with us just when she pleased. She set a great deal

by grandmaw and grandmaw by her. Grandmaw laid very great depend-

ence upon her in her old age. When her grandmaw said anything a-

bout going to Ohio (year past), Jane said she intended to go if

grandmaw did go to see you. I could tell you a great deal more

about it than I can write but I will leave the subject with Jane

in the hands of Him who does all things right. Pray . . . (Illegible)

. . . . thereto.


I received a letter from Charles dated July 7th and was glad to

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 57)

[corresponds to page 51 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Hear that you were all well. You tell Charles that he need not

give himself no uneasiness about the note. I should never have

mentioned it, but he had wrote to me about it in the first place.


As to religion, a very low time with all denominations among us

at the present. Elder Wm Bowen, the Englishman who has been

preaching with us nearly two years past, asked the chh and soci-

ety to dismiss him. Accordingly, they did and he has left us.

We have no stated preaching among us at present, but have wrote

on to a man to make us a visit and preach with us if he and we

like. We hold meetings on Sundays and brethren improve their

gifts.


You perhaps feel something of the pressure of the times in Ohio

as well as we do in Connecticut, but I expect that provisions

are more plenty and cheaper than they are here. Flour from 10

dollars to 12 dollars per barrel, corn, 1.50, rye 1.50, oats

55cts. Crops of rye have come in rather light. Corn not very

promising for the season. Hay comes in very heavy. We have had

a very cold spring and summer so far. It has been no weather

to get our hay for about two weeks. People amongst us have not

more than half done haying, but we must conclude that the weath-

er is perfectly right because it is ordered by infinite wisdom,

which cannot err. And it is our happiness to be reconciled there-

to.


I understand that you have enough of this world to make you com-

fortable, but that don't make up for the loss of near and dear

friends. But I must draw to a close and leave room for others to

write. Perhaps you wish to know how Father and Mother gets along.

You may judge from what is written that we have some trials and

afflictions, but I hope the Lord will deliver us out of them all

in His own due time.


I wish some of you to write soon. We are always glad to receive

a letter from Ohio. Father and Mother sends their love to all

their children and grandchildren, Mr. Orrin Barrows and wife and

all enquiring friends, if any there be. Therefore, I shall direct the let-

ter to you. Farewell, perhaps for the last time.


W. Mary Barrows Wm and Anna Bennett


Mansfield, August 16, 1837


Beloved Sisters:


I once more take my pen to write a few lines to you but my mind is

so full of care and anxiety that I hardly know what to write. Our

family are all well at present and that is a great blessing and I

sometimes think that I know how to prize it.


Charles is at home now. He was unwell and come home the 10th of

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 58)

[corresponds to page 52 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


July. He is to work for Father and Wm, he thinks about buying a

piece of land, but has not made up his mind yet. Mother Crain

has been quite unwell for a few weeks past, but is some better.

She is inclining to the Dropsy and that is a complaint that is

not very easily cured.


Dear sisters, I never have thought more of you nor felt more an-

xious to see you than I have for a few months past. Mother and I

have talked about you a great many hours. Mother says I must tell

Amelia that Jane is in the same room where she lay so long, and if

her life is spared, it will be a great while before she can gain

so as to feel better. I think she needs the most peculiar care of

any sick person that I ever see. She takes none for food, the

juice of fresh meat three or four teaspoonsfulls once in two hours.

I broil it on the gridiron and then squeeze out the juice, but one

thing don't answer but a few days before it gets to be an old sto-

ry and don't do any good and then we have to try something else,

and it is just so with her medicine, but if the Lord sees fit He

is certainly able to restore her to health and strength again, but

it is not in the power of man to do it.


August 17th: Have been thinking some about taking a ride in a

steamboat to New York this fall. I think it would be for my heal-

th, but I don's know as it will be possible for me to leave home.

If I should, when I get there I should want to keep on a few hun-

dred miles further. I do not give up the idea but what I shall

visit you yet, but when I cannot tell. Charles remembers his love

to you all and says he should be glad to see you. Please to re-

member me to Orrin B. and his wife. Tell her I have not forgotten

her and likewise to all of your children. How glad I should be to

see them. I do wish that you would be a little more particular a-

bout writing oftener. We are always glad to hear from you. I am

in great haste and must draw to a close, this from your sister.


Theoda Crane


I believe that Mr. Fenton's family are all well.


Dr. Norman Brigham, popular

Mansfield doctor mentioned

on page 47. He lived at

Mansfield Depot.

[photo: Dr. Norman Brigham]

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 59)

[corresponds to page 53 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 17

November 11, 1838


Mrs Mary Barrows

Berlin Township Union Rd

Delaware Ohio


Mansfield - Nov. 11th 1838

Dear Sisters,


It is with pleasure I now sit down to converse with you by pen

and ink as this is the only way of communication, but it is so

long since I have used a pen that I barely know how to hold it.


As to my health, it is quite good at present and the rest of the

family are well, which I think is a great blessing. Father once

more enjoys comfortable health so that he rides about andgoes

to meeting, but he has been quite sick the most part of time

since last April. Three times we have expected that he would

soon leave us. In the first place he was taken with the bil-

ious fever and for a number of days his symptoms were very bad.

I staid with him until his fever left him and he began to feel

better. And then he had sores on his bowels, the worst kind

that I ever saw. The doctor called them ant bed sores. They

would come full of little holes and then work into one. It

was a great deal of work to take care of him day and night.


One time in particular his sore was struck with mortification.

The doctor though that he could not live forty eight hours.

Mother felt very bad and we all did, but his time had not yet

come. They could not be willing to have me leave them and I hir-

ed a girl to take care of my family and staid with them untill

he got better and was able to ride out. And then he was taken

with the dysentary or camp (?) distemper, which brought him very

low again and then I staid with him some time and took care of

him.


Mother's health is not very good but she works hard and she has

had a very trying scene to pass through. But for the most part

of the time she has kept up good courage.


How many times I have thought the season past that if I only

one sister left in Mansfield that could go home and see Father

and Mother. I would take a great care off my mind and I almost

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 60)

[corresponds to page 54 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


had faith to believe that you would some of you come home this

fall. I think that if you felt as anxious to see your parents

as they do to see you, that you would try hard to come.


Father received a letter from you, dated August 17. We were very

glad to hear from you all and to hear that you were all enjoying

a comfortable state of health. I expect that Father wrote to you

that we have bought a farm. It is good land and we like very

well. It is quite near enough to the meeting house. But I feel

as though it was a great privilege to live near meeting. Our

children go every Sunday.


We have raised one hundred bushels of corn this season and two

hundred of potatoes. Every kind of produce is very high. We sold

twenty weight of butter the other day for 25 cents a pound. The

cold weather has come on very early this fall. It has been very

cold the most of the time. Three weeks past we have had some

snow and a great deal of rain. Apples are very plenty and a great

many have froze under the trees.


We have so far been blessed with comforts of life but we have

to work hard. It has made it very hard for me leaving my family

and going home much the season past. You all know by experi-

ence that where there is sick folks there is a great deal of hard

work besides the care of the sick. But my strength has been equal

to my day and I feel thankful that the situation of my family has

been such that I could leave them and go home a few days at a time

and try to comfort my parents in there old age. Father and Moth-

er are growing old very fast and to all appearance they cannot

stay here but a little while longer and I feel as though I wanted

to do my duty. whether they outlive me or not, our lives are all

uncertain. We have no promise of tomorrow and we know not what a

day will bring forth. And my desire has been for a few years past,

O Lord, teach me what is right and give me a disposition to do it.


O, my dear sister, I cannot tell you my feelings with this poor

pen and ink. I want to see you and converse with you face to face.

Father says he should be glad to receive a letter from brother

Charles (Waters). He has not wrote for a long time. We should be

glad to hear from him again. Charles (Crain) and his father have

bought together. Father owns one third of the place. We both

live in one house, but in separate families. Mother Crain does

not enjoy good health, but she has two girls at home with her yet,

Abby and Morilla (Crain). Maryan was married last spring to Enoch

Freeman. They live with his father.


It is a general time of health in this place. I hope you will not

feel over anxious about Father and Mother. They have all the com-

forts of this life but Mother's work is quite too hard for her. I

think they need someone of their children to live in the house with

them. They would enjoy themselves better than they would to leave

their home and go live with their children. William is willing to

do all he can for them but he has a great family and he has always

enjoyed poor health. They are as well as usual. His oldest boy

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 61)

[corresponds to page 55 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


does not enjoy good health. He has had a cough and pain in his

side the most of the time for a year past but he is about all the

time and we are in hopes he will outgrow it.


Harriet's mother met with an accident last June. She came down

to William's (Bennett, Jr.) on a visit and a going home her horse

became unmanageable and flung her out of the wagon and broke her

thigh. She has not walked a step since.


I believe the last time I wrote to you I gave you some encourage-

ment of making you a visit, but our bying this place has brought

a debt and I don't see but we shall have to bone down to hard work

untill we get it paid for. It is called as good land as any their

is in Mansfield and I think if we are well we we shall make out to

pay for it in time. I find the best way is that in whatsoever sit-

uation I am in there with to be content.


But my sheet is about full and I must think drawing to a close.

Please remember my love to all our friends and Charles (Crain)

says the same. Do some of you write as soon as you receive this.

We always look for a letter a great while before we receive one

and I suppose you do the same. We always feel anxious to hear

from you. I have thought a great deal about Emelia's daughter

that has been sick so much and should be glad to hear from her. I

always forget which I wrote to last, but when I write to one, I

mean it for all three of you.


Mother Crain remembers her love to you all. Don't borrow no

trouble about Father and Mother. When they are well they appear

to enjoy themselves well and if they are sick we shall do all we

can for them.


This from your affectionate sister,


Theoda Crain

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 62)

[corresponds to page 56 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Letter 18

January 31, 1839


Note: the first page of this letter is missing. The second page picks up as follows:


....but she now eats and drinks and sleeps and has gained a little

strength, but I mus leave this subject or I shall fill my paper

with it.


We have had a very open winter so far, a great deal of rain and

but little snow. Produce is very low of all kinds. We milked

eight cows last summer, but after I was taken sick, I thought

it would be too much for Amelia (Crain) to do the work and make

the cheese so we gave our milk to the hogs. My girls are a great help to

me. Amelia is larger than I am. she does most of the

washing. Her health is good, but she has to work very hard when

I am sick and that has been the most of the time for a year past.


As to religion, it is a very low time. With us, we keep up the

form. The society is a going to build a new meeting house next

spring - - - Brother William and his family are well. We should

be very glad to see you. Mother says tell Emelia she must try to

come and see her once more. I wish you would. I think sometimes

if only I could see Emelia (Buell) and Mary (Barrows) and talk

with them, it would do me a great deal of good.



I t is hard work for me to write, my eyes are very weak. Do write

soon, we are anxious to hear from you. Charles (Crain) says that

I must give his best respects to you all and tell you he should

be glad to see you here. Mother and the children send their love

to you all. I should be glad to write more, but I am very tired.

I must draw to a close.



This from your affet. sister,


To E.B. and M. B. Theoda Crain


Mary Barrows

Orange

Delaware County

Ohio

[illegible]

PO

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 63)

[corresponds to page 57 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Letter 19

May 29

Mansfield Center




To Orvil Barrow

Orange Township

Delaware County, Ohio

May 29, 1839 Unison Post Office

Dear Brother,


I for the first time take pen in hand in inform you and the rest

of the friends that we arrived in Mansfield on Tuesday the 28 day

of May, after a pleasant journey of twenty two days. We had pleas-

ant weather for traveling . We had two days that it rained part of

each day but not so as to keep us from traveling. It was very cool

except for three or four days. Mother and I enjoyed good health

all the time with the exception of having the hipo (?) a verry

little. I found it more expensive traveling than I had expected.

My fees for gates and ferry's was seven dollars and twelve cents.

We feel very anxious to hear from you to know if all are well. We

found all the friends well that we have seen. Please inform Mr.

Fenton that Daniel Reed's wife died about two weeks ago. I believe

Mrs. Reed was Mr Fenton's sister. It may be that he will hear of

her death before you receive this.


The horse looks well at this time. He had two spells of being

quite lame, of about two days each in the course of our journey.

The least that I went either day was 25 miles and the most was for-

ty miles, but on an average we went about thirty two miles a day.

Mother says she has not forgot you and if providence permit we shall

be back in a few weeks. We shall start back in three or four weeks.

I think I shall come back by the lake and go and see Aunt Betsy.**

the National Pike was very hard for the horse. We arrived at grand-

father Bennets on Tuesday morning about 7 o'clock. They did not

know who we were and after they found out who we were, they could

hardly believe it. People are preparing for planting potatoes.

The corn has come up. The land looks very gloomy and barren to me.

I did not go through New York as I expected when I left home. I

found it was more expensive traveling through that way and I went

to Newburg, and from thence to Hartford. I thought when I left

home that I should be contented to stay five or six weeks, but I

feel now as if I was ready to start back at any time when Mother

is ready.


* Augusta Read or Read

** Mrs. Elizabeth Dean, lived in New York state.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 64)

[corresponds to page 58 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


I should like to know how the crops look with you. I saw some fine

looking fields of grain in Pennsylvania and some that did not look

very well. Oats on the east side of the mountains was worth one

dollar per bushel. We did not see any person that we knew from

the time that we left Newark till we got here, neither did we have

any company on the road. We met a great number of movers going to

the west who came from most all parts of the eastern states. Horses

bring a great price in Penn. and New Jersey. I think Uncle Orrin's

colts would bring three hundred dollars in the city of New York if

they were fitted for market. I saw a span of bay horses in New

Jersey that was about such horses as Daniel Nettleton's, except

they were fitted for market and they told me that they would fetch

four hundred and fifty dollars in Philadelphia. Oxen are worth

four hundred and fifty dollars in Philadelphia. Oxen are worth

from $100 to $150 per yoke, cows from 30 to 50 dollars per head.


Alfred Bennett is to preach at the meeting house on Friday. Con-

necticut, what I have seen of it, does not look as rough and bar-

ron as I expected, but I should not think that I could get a liv-

ing here by farming.


While we were traveling we generally found very good taverns with

the exception of two or three. You need not look for us until you

see us coming. I do not think of any thing more to write that

would be worth reading. Therefore, I shall draw to a close by

wishing you all health and prosperity.



Orvil Barrows Blake W. Barrows


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


May 29th, 1839


Dear Children and Grandchildren, one and all:


As Blake invites me to write some in a letter, I will embrace the

opportunity, although I have nothing special to write. Our Ohio

friends arrived on Tuesday morning quite unexpected, although a

happy meeting on our part and we believe so on theirs. Found us

all enjoying a state of health. Your father and mother, grand-

father and grandmaw, have got to be old folks, but you cannot form

the idea of the feeling of a parent to receive a child that they

had not seen for 20 years, not never will until you experience it.

We have been young and now are old, but still have our reason. Still

think we know what is best for youth, middle age, and old age. And

we invite you one and all to attend to the admonition of this wise

man, viz, fear God and keep His commandments, for that is the du-

ty of all rational beings. Since we are all traveling swiftly

through time into a boundless and never end eternity, it stands each

of us in hand to be prepared to exchange worlds.


Your friends are all well as usual for ought we know. As I state

in the beginning, I had nothing material to write. We send our love

to one and all, wishing you wealth, health, and a prosperity in this

world and in the next life ever lasting. So we remain your well

wishers until death. Wm and Anna Bennett

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 65)

[corresponds to page 59 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


1839 Trip to Connecticut


[image of map]


The above map is a composite that shows the likely routes Blake Barrows and his Mother would have traveled

on their round trip from Orange township, Delaware County, OH., part over the National Road, to Mansfield

Center, Connecticut and back via the lake route. A Tour to New Connecticut in 1811: the Narrative of Henry

Leavitt Ellsworth, edited by Phillip R. Shiver, 1985 has a map inside the covers that shows the stops made

on a similiar round trip in 1811 from Connecticut to Cleveland and back. For the stops made in Ohio I used

Woodruff's "Travellers Guide Through Ohio", 1835. When the Barrows reached Pennsylvania they probably left

the National Road and went north to Pittsburgh as the National Road dips south into Maryland and heads for

Baltimore and Washington D. C.

________________________________________________________

The Delaware Genealogist Spring 1989

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 66)

[corresponds to page 60 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 20

August 19, 20, 1839

Mansfield Center Aug 22 and 25

Blake W Barrows

Orange Delaware

County Ohio


Mansfield, August 19th 1839


Dear Children and Grandchildren,


I once more sit down with pleasure to answer your request in your

letter that I received in the fore part of this month, dated July

12th 1839. You requested me to write soon. I send the same re-

quest back again, hopeing that you will comply with it.


Your father and mother are living, our health much as it was when

you was here. Only bordering towards the grave. You informed us

that you had a safe journey home and found your family all well

which caused you reason of thankfulness. Some go from home and

never return and some when they return find one or more of their

family gone the way of all the earth. We shall ever remember your

kindness in paying so much attention to your aged parents as to

make then a visit while on these mortal shores.


I have no particular news to write as I recollect at present. The

old widow Slate died since you was here. She had the jaundice,

aged 79. Isaac Arnold's wife was struck with the numbpalsey. She

had two shocks on Saturday the 17 instant. She was buried. Mr. Res-

cum Coggeshall is very sick , doubtful whether he ever recovers. I

believe he has got the consumption. I don't recollect of any other

acquaintances that are sick or dead. A general time of health a-

mong us at present.


You wrote that you should esteem it a privilege if you lived where

you could visit us often. I believe that the privilege would be as

great to us as it would to you. But since providence has ordered

it otherwise, it is our happiness to be reconciled thereto, but in

a short time I hope to meet you all where parting will be no more,

where we shall be enabled to sing the song Free Grace, saying

"Worthy is the Lamb that has redeemed us by His blood and has made

us kings and priests to the most high God and we shall reign with

Him forever and ever." But there is no promise short of those that

endure to the end. Those that do believe will receive a hearty wel-

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 67)

[corresponds to page 61 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

come and will be admitted to mansions that Jesus has prepared for

them. Farewell.


Wd. Mary Barrows W. and Anna Bennett


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


August 20


Dear Friends:


I received a few lines from you and was very glad to hear of your

safe arrival and that your health and your mother's was improving

by reason of your journey and since we had a very agreeable opper-

tunity on my part of forming acquaintance. I have thought of you

a great deal since you left Mansfield. And, kind sir, I don't

wish to hurt your feelings in the least, but a word of advice can

hurt none if it be taken kindly. Old men for council and young

men for war. I have been young, but now I am old. When I see

young men seting out in the world, I have my fears that the en-

emy of all righteousness will entice them to leave wisdom's ways,

whose ways are ways of plesantness and all her paths are peace.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and to depart from

iniquity is understanding. And now, dear friend, I advise you to

take the Holy Bible for a rule of conduct through life. Jesus

Christ says, "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have

eternal Life and they are them which testify of me.". I well re-

member that I for one searched them to find some place that would

give me some liberty to indulge myself in a little carnal mirth

untill I come to the 8th chapter Ecclesiasticus where the wise man

appears to give some liberty where he say, "Rejoice, O young man

in thy youth and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy

youth and walk in the ways of thine heart and insight of thine

eyes, but know thou for all these things God will bring thee into

judgment." There is a judgment day a comeing when we shall all

need be clothed with that robe of righteousness that Jesus

Christ has wrought out. the poet beautifully gives the idea:

"And least the shadow of a spot

Should on my soul be found

He took the robe the Savior wrought

and cast it all around".


You informed us that your crops of grain look promising of which

I was glad to hear. Our rye and oats come in very good. Corn

was promising a crop until last week. We had a very high wind

with rain that leand our corn down. What the event will be I

cannot tell as yet. Our crops of hay comes in rather light. We

have not done haying as yet, grass was late. People in general

waited for it to grow before they began to cut it.


Give my respects to your Uncle Orrin Barrows and inform him that

I have been to see Mr. Phillip Barrows, administrator on the es-

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 68)

[corresponds to page 62 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

tate of Elizabeth Barrows deceased and there is about $30 due

to his father's heirs, $20 in cash and $10 in moveables and he is

willing to pay it over to anyone that can give him a safe discharge

for the same. It draws no interest where it is.


And now, dear friend, write me again and inform me that you take

the advice I have given in good part, for I assure you, it was

well meant. Good by.


Blake W. Barrows Wm and Anna Bennett


- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - -- - - - - -- -- - --


Amelia, I have room to write a few lines more and I will direct

them to you to let you know that we have not forgotten you in

our old age. We have to be old folks but we are yet blest with

our reason which we esteem a very great blessing. We are still

blest with all this world, can afford as to victuals and drink

and clothing. But when we look forward if we should live to the

time that we should not be capable of taking care of ourselves, I

don't know what will become of us. But we don't mean to borrow

any trouble.


Theoda has a sprightly girl 4 or 5 months old. She calls her name

Anna, and if she live longer than grandmother, she is to have her

beads.


Amelia, you don't know how we want to see you. If it was possible

we should like to have a visit from you and Mr. (Jeremiah) Buel.

But if it is otherwise determined in providence we wish you to

write and inform us how you get along.


As to spirituals and temporals, I understand by many that you had

the comforts of life. If that is the case, it is all you can have

in this world. Old Agun's (?) prayer was perfectly right: "give

me neither poverty of riches". You have had a great deal of sick-

ness since you left Mansfield, as well as before and we are inform-

ed that all things work together for good to those that love God

and those that are called according to His purpose. And the poet

informs us: our trials and our troubles here will only make us

richer there when we arrive at home.


Tell Charles and Harriet that I have no room to write to them but

if they will write me a letter, I will endeavor to answer it when

you write, inform how you get along and to spirituals and tempor-

als.


And now I must close my lettr, wishing you one and all health and

happiness in this life and in the comeing world life everlasting.

Father and Mother, Wm and Harriet remember their love to you one

and all, not forgetting Mr. Orrin Barrows and wife. Charles and

Theoda send their love, Wm and Anna Bennett


I saw Uncle Soloman Abbe about three weeks since. He is almost run

down , 96 yrs, old yet goes about with a staff. It was loud preach-

ing to me.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 69)

[corresponds to page 63 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Letter 21

Mansfield, Dec 8, 1839

Mansfield

Cental Ct December 12

W Mary Barrows

Orange

Delaware O.

Ohio


Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Father Bennet received a letter from Amelia, informing us of the

death of our sister Harriet, which was very heavy news to us all,

especially to Father and Mother and we realize it must be a trying

scene to her remaining sisters. But alas, we are not exempt from

sickness and death. Our father W. Bennet is no more, he died

Nov. 12 half past seven o'clock a.m. He was taken ill about the

first of Sept. Not so but that he rode out several times, went to

meeting the first Sunday in Sept. His appetite seem to fail him

and he was sick to his stomach so as to vomit. This seem to fol-

low and increase day and night, until one week before he died it

ceased. He was in no great pain. He was able to walk from the

bed to the fire untill ten days before he died. Lucas Fenton took

care with Wm's assistance and Mother's. Theoda and I were over as

often as we could be. The rest of our friends are all well as us-

ual.


As to religion, it is peace and love with us here in Mansfield. As

to my situation where I lived when Mary and Blake was here, I have

sold and bought where W. Barrows used to live. And as Mother Ben-

net was left alone we thought it best to move in this fall with

Mother Bennet. We moved Nov. 21. My stock and hay I shall not

move till April. Father Crain takes care of them.


Tell Blake about 75 bushels of corn, not a very heavy crop of

potatoes, rye and oats were very good. As to the Multicaulas trees

that were on my land when Blake was at Mansfield, were sold in the

summer for $26 1/4 a hundred, which fell and decreased in value as low

as $5 to $6 per hundred trees. The men who purchased the trees

were loth to take them. Money is very hard to be had. No banks

will discount. Stock is not so high as last spring. Grain is not

so high. Corn and rye one dollar for bu. Oats 43 cts - per

bu. Beef $6 to 7 dollars per hundred, pork the same.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 70)

[corresponds to page 64 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


I make this apology for not writing before, I have been moving.

Thanksgiving and other business has taken up so much time. Res-

com Coggshall died Oct. 14. Needham Slate's mother died last sum-

mer. Marvin Fenton's family are all well and I must draw to a

close and leave room for Theoda to write and subscribe myself

your friend.


To Mary Barrows Charles Crain


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Brothers and Sisters:


I take my pen to write a few lines to you. Charles has informed

you of the death of our beloved father. He has gone to be here

no more. His seat is empty, and we miss his company very much,

but we have one consolation. We believe that our loss is his

gain. When he heard of sister Harriet's death, he said that the

judge of all the earth did perfectly right, he should soon follow

her. There never was a murmering word escaped his lips through

all his sickness. Everything we did for him was right. He would

sometimes say that clouds and darkness hung over his mind, but he

said that in the darkest time he could see one bright spot and

that was Jesus Christ. It was very distressing to see him for a

number of weeks before he died. He puked almost all the time, day

and night. The doctor thought that the passage between his stom-

ach and bowels was closing up. The friday before he died had

a very distrest day, but toward night he got more easy and rested

well through the night. He got more easy and rested well through

the night saturday I went home. I told them if there was an alter-

ation to let me know it. He continued much the same until monday.

He began to grow very restless and distrest. They sent for us. We

immediately, but when we got there, he appeared to know us but

could not speak nor swallow. He continued in great distress untill

about two hours before he died. He folded his hands on his breast

and never mover them again. His breath grew shorter untill he had

done breathing.


Mr. Bromley preached his funeral sermon from there words: "By faith

Jacob when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph and wor-

shiped, leaning upon the top of his staff." Mother has bourne up

under her trouble beyond all of our expectation. She staid by Fath-

er day and night and every time that he was a little more comfort-

able she would take new courage, so great was her anxiety to have

him get well. She felt as though she could not give him up. She

says that Charles and Mary know her feelings, they have passed

through the same trying scene. Yes, Brother Charles, we often think

of you. It is very seldom that I take my babe into my arms to nurse

it without thinking of your little motherless infant. I think that

you have been called to drink deep of the cup of affliction. You

have a great family of little ones around you that need a mother's

care, but we think that our Heavenly Father does all things

right. Tell Morilla (Waters) she must try to be a mother to the

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 71)

[corresponds to page 65 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


younger children and I think Emelia and Mary will try to assist

by all they can. When our friends are dead and buried we can do

no more for them, but it is our duty to try to take care of the

living.


Mother's health is not very good - she just overdone taking care

of father and trouble of mind and altogether has been quite too

hard for her. But we shall try to do all we can to make her life

easy and comfortable. She eats with us. I think we shall live

together. If she don't feel willing to leave her house and move

with us in the spring we shall hire out our place and stay with

her. There is a great deal to be done here this winter and Moth-

er felt as though she wanted someone to take the care off her

mind. Father left a will. In the first place he gave all his

stock of cattle and house hold furniture to Mother, the rest of

his estate, both real and personal, was to be equally divided be-

tween Mother and William, and he appointed William executor on

his will. Everything has got to be appraised.


My sheet is almost full and I must draw to a close. I must ac-

knowledge that we have done wrong in not writing to you before,

but every moment of my time has been taken up. Mother, Br. Will-

iam and S. Harriet remember their love to you all. Little Anna

has been cutting teeth but she is well now. This from your un-

worthy sister.


Theoda Crain

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 72)

[corresponds to page 66 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Letter 22

February 6, 18, 21, 1842

W. Mary Barrows

Town of Orange

Berlin Post Office

Delaware Town

Ohio


Mansfield, February 6th 1842


Dear Sister:


I once more take pen in hand to converse with absent friends.

We are all enjoying usual health at present. Br. William received

a letter from you last fall, and I have been waiting for him to

answer it. But thinking that you will feel anxious to hear from

us, I thought it not best to wait any longer.



As for news, I must write that first that I think the most about.

The Lord in great mercy has visited His people in this in this

place, sometime during the early part of October. As there were

indications that the Lord was about to appear among us, a series

of evening meetings were commenced, which have continued with few

interruptions until the present time. A spirit of penitence, con-

fession and prayer have been in happy exercise. But what has

characterized the revival has been deep and anxious solicitude for

the salvation of souls. The members of the church - instead of

looking for some great instrumentality to be employed for the pro-

motion of a revival, felt their individual responsibility and fer-

vently implored the blessing of God upon the ordinary means of

grace, prayer, the Word of God. Visiting and personal conversati-

ion were the direct means of carrying on the work . It was a time

of God's power, all ages and all classes. From the child to the

man of sixty years have shared in the rich blessing among whom are

many heads of families. And quite a number of young men, about

sixty, have expressed hope in Christ. Some are still inquiring

what they shall do to be saved. Br. Bromley's health failed him

for a few weeks, but he is now able to preach. Twenty five have

followed their Savior down the banks of Jordan. William is one

of the number and Mary Bennet. A number more are still waiting.

We had no whirlwind or earthquake in our meetings, but the still

small voice has been whispering in the ear of the sinner to re-

pent of their sins and turn to the Lord. Often we have seen child-

ren arise and request the prayers of Christians for their parents

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 73)

[corresponds to page 67 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


and parents for their children, husbands for their wifes, and

wives for their husbands.


In some meetings the time has been mostly spent in prayer and

thanks be to God He does hear and answer prayer. Prayer was

appointed to convey the blessings God designs to give. Long as

they live should Christians pray, for only while they pray they

live. I have a comfortable hope for Amelia. She feels to re-

joice in a Savior's love. O, the goodness of God to me, a poor

sinful worm of the dust. His tender mercies have been over me

all my past life.


Charles has enjoyed his mind well. For weeks he spent the most

of his time in going from house to house and conversing with

those that were weighed down under a sense of their sins and

those who are rejoicing in God their Savior. It has truly been

a Pentecost season to our souls.


I suppose you would like to know something about our temporal

concerns, but I hardly know what to tell you. I believe our

crops come in about as usual last fall. We have had a very

warm wet winter, no sleighing. Sometimes the ground breaks in

and makes it very bad traveling. Hard times for people who are

in debt. We cannot sell anything. Money is very scarce, but

the Lord reigns. Let the earth rejoice and the inhabitants there-

of be glad.


Mother enjoys comfortable health. She feels the infirmities of

old age gaining upon her. She has a great desire to see Emelia

once more this side of the grave. I wish she could contrive some

way to come and spend the summer with us, and her husband with

her. We feel very anxious to hear from Br. Charles and his fam-

ily. We heard by the way of Mr. Fenton's son that he still has

trials to pass through, but I have a word of encouragement for

him. They that have their robes washed and made white in the

blood of the lamb were those that came ou t of great tribulation.

Tell him not to faint be the way, but to hold out a little long-

er. It will be but a shout time before he will again be united

with the companion of his youth and his dear little one. There

tear shall be wiped away. O, blessed thought to sing redeeming

grace and dying love through as never ending eternity. I wish

that Morilla would write tome. I think that it would seem almost

like having a letter from the hand of her mother. I think that

she will try to be as near a mother as she can to her younger sis-

ter and brothers, but there is no one that can ever fill the place

of a mother. We live at so great a distance that we cannot know

each other's joy or sorrow. But we have the same God to go to

and we can feel safe to put our trust in Him.


We was very glad to receive a few lines from Cousin Blake and his

companion.* I should be very glad to here from them again. Tell

them not to place their affection too much upon their little one, **

for she is only a lent blessing.


* Charlotte Janes, B. 1820; d. 1877

** Mary Ann, b. 5 Feb. 1841. Married George Messenger, d. in

Boone Co., NB.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 74)

[corresponds to page 68 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Our children are all well. Anna is a diversion to her grandmoth-

er. Br. William and his family are well. He has enjoyed his

mind since the commencement of the revival. His whole soul has

been in the work.


Feb. 18 - You will see by dates that it has been sometime since

I began this letter, but I have a large family which takes up the

most of my time, and we have such good meetings that I must go

some. Last Sunday seven more were baptized. Others are still

waiting. I hear a great deal said about the second comeing of

Christ. Some think the time is very near, but of that hour know-

eth no man, no not the angels that are in heaven. But I think

that it stands us all in hand to have our lamps trimmed and burn-

ing and the oil of grace in our hearts and be ready. For as a

thief in the night will it come to those who are not prepared.


I wish you to write as soon as you receive this and let us know

how Br. Charles gets along with his family. I should be glad to

receive a letter from him. Mother sends much love to you all.

She feels the loss of Father's company but I think she is as con-

tented as any can expect. There are but a few liveing in this

town that are near her age. She says that her old acquaintance

and companions of her youth are a most all gone and left her.

She has enjoyed her mind very well the season past.


Remember my love to all our connections and friends. And now,

dear sisters, I would ask you to pray much for discharge every

duty incumbent upon me in the fear of God, seeing that I must one

day give an account thereof. This from your unworthy sister.


Theoda Crain

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mansfield, February 21


Since Theoda has wrote all the new I have not much room nor a

great deal to say. We all enjoy a good degree of health and I am

very busy in attending meetings for the Lord is among up and bless-

ed be His name. Such a time as I have never witnessed in Mansfield

before. When young men take me by the hand and beg me to pray for

them, you might judge how I felt when I come before the throne to

plead by way of prayer for souls sinking under a weight of sin.

I have town business to do being one of the select men for the

town and my own affairs find me employ for all the of time. I now

draw to a close. Please give my love to all enquiring friends.


To Sister Mary Barrows Charles Crain


To Blake Barrows: For blue ink: Take indigo, put into blue dye

in form to color in a bag. Let it lie 24 hours, then rub the bag

in your hand till soft. Then squeeze the liquor into a vial.

C. Crain

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 75)

[corresponds to page 69 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Letter 23

January 31, 1845

W Mary Barrows

Orange

Delaware county

Ohio

PO

Mansfield, Jan. the 31st, 1845


Dear Sisters,


I once more take my pen in hand to answer your letter containing

the news of the death of Br. C. Waters. It was sorrowful news

to us and we feel to sympathize with his afflicted children. I

was then recovering from a bed of sickness to which I had been

confined for a few weeks with the lung fever. Our children were

sick at the same with the whooping cough. Harriet had a fever

set in. She was very sick. William had it hard, the other ones

kept about and when warm weather came we all got better and con-

tinued so untill the 5 of July. I was taken with the Erysipelas

Fever and of all the sickness I every had, that was the most dis-

tressing. I swelled all over from my head to to my feet and my

flesh was a dark purple and such a burning heat. I could compare

it to nothing else but being dipt into a tub of scalding water. I

continued in this state about ten days. I then began to come out

in white blisters and spread all over me. I was entirely

helpless for a few days. My fever then left me and my flesh heal-

ed very fast and then a thick skin pealed off all over me and I be-

gun to gain strength and we all felt encouraged (for my life had

been despaired of). But it was like putting new wine into old

bottles, for my new skin had not strength enough to come into act-

ion and I soon ran down. My flesh was very cold and I sweat all

the time and began to have sinking turns. They then begin to

stimulate me but it was 4 weeks before I was able to sit up and it

was 4 months from the time I was first taken sick that I began to

think that I know how to prize it.


I suppose by this time you are impatient to hear something about

Mother. She enjoys comfortable health, all excepting the sore on

her nose. That is very painful sometimes. She has always told me

not to write anything about it, but she now says it may be that

Emelia will think of something that will cure it. We have tried

everything that we thought could do any good. She says I must tell

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 76)

[corresponds to page 70 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


You that she has all the comforts of this life. We are alone the

most of the time through the day. Our children all go to school.

I work untill I am tired and then I go in and smoke a pipe with

Mother and we take comfort. Sickness will come and old age will

creep on upon us. It is of no use to complain, but try in what-

ever situation we are in therewith to be content. We think a great

deal about Harriet's children. I wish Marilla would write to us

and let us know how she gets along with her family.


Marvin Fenton's wife died last fall with a cancer on her breast.

Benjamin Dunham's wife is sick the same complaint. Capt.

Mathewson died last March very sudden. I think likely that you

have heard about their daughter that has been sick ten years past.

There has been a number of pieces printed in newspapers about her

and thousands of people have flocked to see her. Last spring she

failed very fast and for two or three days it was thought that ev-

ery hour would be her last when one evening she dropped asleep, as

her friends supposed. She lay quiet for half an hour. When she

came to, her disease had all left her. Although she was weak

and could not move her limbs, she seemed perfectly happy. She

said she had died and been where she had seen the gate of heaven,

and heard singing, but was told to came back and do her work

and then she should enter. It was a long time before her friends

could persuade to take food. for 14 week she took nothing, but

cold water and very little tea and talked all the time and was

never tired. But now she eats and drinks and sleeps and has gain-

ed a little strength. Must leave this subject or I shall my pa-

per with it.


We have a very open winter so far, a great deal of rain and

but little snow. Produce is very low of all kinds. We milked

eight cows last summer, but after I was taken sick I though It

would be too much for Amelia to do the work and make the cheese so

we gave our milk to the hogs. My girls are a great help to me.

Amelia is larger than I am. She does the most of the washing. Her

health is good, but she has to work very hard when I am sick and

that has been the most of the time for a year past.


As to religion, it is a very low time with us. We keep up the

form. The society are going to build a new meeting house next

spring. Brother Wm and his family are well. We should be very

happy to see you. Mother says tell Emelia she must try to come

and see her once more. I wish you would. I think sometimes

if only I could see Emelia and Mary and talk with them, it would do

me a great deal of good.


It is hard work for me to write. My eyes are very weak. Do write

soon, we are anxious to hear from you. Charles says that I must

give his best respects to you all and tell you that he should be

glad to see you here. Mother and the children send their love

to you all. I should be glad to write more, but I am very tired

and must draw to a close. This from your affectionate sister,

To: E. B. and M. B Theoda Crain

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 77)

[corresponds to page 71 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


Appendix I


Agreement between Nathaniel Barrows at al, and Edmund Freeman


This agreement made and entered into this 12th day of April, 1812,

by and between Nath. W. Barrows, Oren Barrows, and Elijah A Fenton,

all of Mansfield, on the one part, and Edmund Freeman of sd. Mans-

field on the other part., witnesseth, that the sd. Nath W. , Orren,

and Elijah A., covenant and agree on their part, for and in con-

sideration of fifty-five dollars, to be paid as herein stipulated,

to do and perform for sd. Freeman the following service and labour

on his, the sd. Freeman's house, viz, to clapboard what of sd. house

is now unclapboarded, to make the doors both inside and outside of

sd. house and to case the same, putting in suitable threshold and

to hang and put latches on all of sd. doors - ten of sd. doors to

be made, with four panels to each of sd. doors and 6 of sd. doors

to be batten doors - to fit the window sashes to the frame, pin and

trim the same, prime and paint, make the putty and set the glass

and to case the windows to sd. house - eight of sd. windows to be

cased back of the studs and nine of them to be cased with edge cas-

ing , to joint and lay the lower and chamber floors to sd. house,

lining the same - to make chamber and cellar stairs - to make a

buttery closet and cupboard agreeable to sd. Freeman's direction,

to put up eight hundred feet of ceiling in sd. house, and to put

up plank to partition sd. house into suitable apartments - to put

chair braces around the two front rooms and mop boards to all the

rooms in sd. house, and to make firepieces to the fireplaces on the

lower floor, in a style suitable to sd. house -


Finally, to do and perform all the aforementioned work and any oth-

er work and any other, tho not particularly mentioned, which shall

be necessary to have the lower part of sd. house every way prepared

for lathing - and we do jointly and severally promise to do and per-

form the aforesd. work in all and every part in a plain, neat work-

manlike manner and to have the compleated by the first day of

June next.


And the sd. Freeman, on the other part covenants and agrees to pro-

cure all the materials necessary for the aforesd. work - to board,

lodge, and wash for the sd. Nath. W., Orren and Elijah A., the

time they shall be in performing the aforesd. labour - and to pay

to them, the sd. Nath E. Barrows, Orren Barrows, and Elijah A. Fen-

ton twenty seven and half dollars in six months from the time they

shall have performed the whole of the aforesd. labour and twenty

seven and half dollars in one year from the time sd. labour is com-

pleated.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands, the day and date

aforementioned.

Edm. Freeman

Nathl. W. Barrows

E. A. Fenton


In presence of:

Jerusha Babcock

Samuel Dimmiock

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 78)

[corresponds to page 72 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]


(The following was on the back of the preceding document)


Recd. Mansfield, May 29th, 1812, of Edmund Freeman, the notes of

hand agreeable to the tenure of the written covenant which in full

when paid for our labour for sd. Freeman agreeable to within con-

tract and this covenant and agreement is no longer binding on him,

Recc., Freeman - witness our hand.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 79)

[corresponds to page 73 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Appendix II


The letters of this booklet were delivered by private

individuals who happened to be going to Ohio or through Ohio.

There were no postage stamps until 1847, so none of these letters

had stamps on them.


Two of the 1820 letters were directed to the "Lewis Settlement",

which was probably the beginnings of what is now the hamlet of

Lewis Center in Orange Township. The postoffice is still there.


Letters of 1820, 1822, 1826, and 1828 were directed to Berkshire,

that is , "to be left at Berkshire". Berkshire was established by

Moses Byxbe, who was one of the first settlers of Delaware County,

came to the area in 1804. His early aim and ambition was to not

only make Berkshire the county seat of Delaware County, but also

the capital of the state of Ohio. The village flourished for a

few decades, but is a hamlet of a few houses today with no stores,

and no postoffice. However, the postoffice was early established

and continued into the twentieth century.


One can understand why letters meant for Orange Township would

be directed to Berkshire Postoffice. The Granville Road, now

state route 37, was a main artery for settlers coming into this

part of Ohio. This road, which passed through Berkshire, was

connected with the national Road at Granville.


Alum Creek is another part of the address on some of the early

letters. According to Ohio Ghost Towns, Delaware County, (1) the

Alum Creek Post Office was housed in a private home, located about

a half mile west of the State Route 37 bridge which spans the

creek a few miles west of Berkshire.


From 1831 on, most of the letters were sent through the Unison

Post Office. In a letter to his brother, John Ferson (2) indicates

in 1830 that a post office had been established in Berlin Town-

ship. He writes:


"A private post office is established in Berlin. Capt.

Lewis in P. M. As mail carrier he goes to Del and once a

week and brings all letters for the neighborhood and has

the postage for his compensation. It is called Unison post

office. Hereafter you will direct your letters to us

'Unison P Office, Delaware County, via Del P Office' or

'Orange, Del Co via Del P O to be left at U P O.' ''


Note that this was not a United States Post Office, but one that

a person set up in his home for the convenience of neighbors.


Given the complexity of the crude postal system, it is a marvel

that the early settlers and their incoming mail ever met.


1. Ohio Ghost Towns, Delaware County, published by The Center for

Ghost Town Research in Ohio, Galena, Ohio, 1987, Richard Helwig.

2. John is also one of my ancestors.

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 80)

[corresponds to unnumbered page 74 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Index of Persons


Abbe, Elijah - 27

Solomon - 41, 42, 62

Adams, Henry - 20

Jabez, Dr. - 13, 16

(picture - 10)

Arnold, Mrs. Isaac - 60


Babcock, Jerusha - 71

Bailey - 1

Balch, Polly - 28

Baldwin, Eleazar - 26 , 29

Barrows, Asa - 46

Betsey Jane (Bockoven) - 6, 7, 8

(picture - 6, 7)

Blake Wales - 4, 8, 17, 18, 20,

42, 58, 60, 62, 63, 67, 68

Clima - 20: Edward - 23

Elizabeth - 36, 62

Enoch - 38

Gershom - 38

Harriet, Alice (Havens) - 6, 7, 8

(picture: 6, 7)

Kyle - 1

Lanman - 20

Laura (Mrs. Kyle) - 1, 2

Lemuel - 22, 36

Lucretia - 23, 24

Lorenzo - 46

Mary Bennett - Many references

Mary Ann (Messenger) - 67

Mary Anna (d/o Nath.) - 8, 19, 42

Nathan - 23

Nathaniel Wales - Many ref.

Orrin (Oren) - Many references

Orville (Orvil ) - 7, 8, 58

(picture - 7)

Phillip - 61

Prudence - 5, 17, 21, 27, 36

Robert, Capt. - 20

Robert - 37

Thomas - 43

Soloman - 5. 17, 21 36

Widow - 27

Bennett, Alfred - 58

Alvin - 11, 27, 33, 38

Alvin, Mrs. - 38

Asa - 25, 27, 30

Asa, Jr. - 27

Harriet Jane - 28, 44, 47, 50, 52

Harriet (Mrs. Wm.) - 28, 65

Harriet's mother - 55

Ira - 11, 27, 33, 38

Jane - See Harriet Jane

Jesse - 27

Bennett (continued)

Mary - 66

Mary (Mrs. Nathaniel) - 5

Nathaniel - 5

Sally -10

William, Jr. - Many references

William Henry - 44

Bentley - 18

Bingham, Mr. - 44

D. - 41

Oliver - 37

Bockoven, Betsey Jane Barrows - 6

(picture - 6, 7)

Bockoven, William - 6 (picture)

Bowen, William - 49, 51

Bradley, Elder - 41

Brigham, Norman, Dr. - 50

(picture - 52)

Bromley, Mr. - 64, 66

Brown Elder Esek (Eiseck) - 38, 4

Brunson, Elder - 38

Buell (Buel) - 1

Aaron - 4

Emelia (Amelia) Many refere

Jeremiah - 7, 11, 12, 21, 26, 34

37, 41, 49, 62

Burnham, Rufus - 20

Byxbe, Moses -73


Chambers - 1

Lester - 6 (picture)

Lettie - 6 (picture)

Octavius - 6 (picture)

Mary Jane (Mrs. Octavius) - 8

(picture - 6)

Cheney, Abigail -24

Edward -23

Nathan -23

Clark, Daniel -40

Mrs. Daniel -40

Whitman -11

Clymer, Flora Chambers - 6 (pictu

Coggeshall, Rescum - 60, 64

Cogswell, Ester - 11

Colman, Lester - 11

Commings, Jabez -20

Crain (Crane

Abby -54

Abigail -21

Amelia - 39, 56, 67, 70

Anna - 62, 65, 68

Asa -28

Charles - Many references

Charles' father - 54, 63

Charlies' mother - 52, 54, 55

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 81)

[corresponds to unnumbered page 75 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Harriot - 49

Maryan -54

Morilla - 54, 70

Theoda (Theda) - Many references

William Bennett - 27, 28, 31, 39

Crowl - 1


Daggett, David - 13, 17, 30

Dean, Mrs. Elizabeth -57

Dimmick, Samuel - 71

Storrs -38

Dodge, Mrs. - 12

Dunham, Bangs - 20

Benjamin - 70

Harriet (Bennett) - 5

Harriet, father of - 44

Harriet, mother of - 55

Susan - 23


Fenton, Elijah A. - 41, 42, 45, 48, 52,

57, 67, 71

Lucas - 63

Marvin -64

Marvin, Mrs. - 70, 40

Ferson, Bertha Muriel - 1, 8

Frank - 8

John (s/o Bertha) - 8

John - 73

Fisher - 1

Ford, Henry - 3

Freeman, Edmund, Esq. - 40, 71, 72

Enoch - 54


Groves, Deacon - 11

Goodwin, Elder - 16, 33


Hall, Gershom - 40

Mrs. Gershom - 40

Hanks, Miss - 25

Havens, Albert - 8

Blake Wal;es - 7, 8

(Picture) - 6

Clara, (Mrs. Blake) - 8

(picture - 6)

Gustin - 8

picture - 6)

Harriet Alice - 6, 7, 8

(picture - 6)

Helwig Richard - 73

Hibbard, Burnham - 20

Hills, Mabill -11

Lolima - 11

Howard - 1

Hovey, Storrs - 11

Harding -16

Hunt, Anna (Bennett) - 5

Elisha - 38, 41

John Jr. - 5, 33

Mrs. John, Jr. - 5, 27, 33, 38, 4

Huntington, Morrin - 20


Janes, Charlotte - 7, 67

Jaynes, Helen Louisa (Havens) -

(picture - 6 )


King, Irena - 20, 49

James - 49

Samuel - 20


Larkin, Ethel - 2, 3

Lawrence - 2

Lewis, Capt. - 73


Matthewson, Capt. - 70

Martinsun, Joseph - 20

Messenger, George - 67


Nisbet - 1

Nettleton, Daniel - 58


Powell - 1

Parker - Joshua - 37

Orpha -20


Rae - 1

Read (Reed), Mrs. Daniel - 57


Robertson, Almyra - 11

Rodenfels, Ethel Chambers - 6 (p

Ross -1

Rymer, Harriet - 8

Rymer Jerry - 8


Salter, John, Esq. - 26, 38

Shumway, Calvin - 11

Slate, Lt. James - 40 , 47

Needham - 64

Sloniel, Jonathan - 11

Smith, Moriah - 20

Smith, Sally - 20

Stebbins, Guiles - 40

Storrs, Brother - 46

Storrs, Capt. - 13, 18

Erastus - 11

Samuel - 40


Thompson, Lois - 20

Toplift, I. - 20

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 82)

[corresponds to unnumbered page 76 of William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut]

Turner - 13

Elijah - 18

Traeyes - 18


Walker - 1

Ward -1

Waters -Ann Harriet - Many ref.

Charles - Many references

Isaac -37

Morilla (Marilla) - 64, 67, 70

Ruth -37

Sister -22

Webb, Stephen -11

Wigton -1

Wright, Eleazar - 3, 37



Index of Medical Terms

Ant bed sores - 53

Asthma disorder - 32

Cancer -70

Canker - 42

Catarrah -42

Collera - 41

Consumption - 23, 27, 43, 60

Cramp convulsions - 41


Destempers - 42, 43, 53

Diarrhea - 39

Disentary 39, 53

Dispepsia - 50

Dropsy - 52


Erysipelas fever - 69


Hipo (?) - 57


Jaunice - 60


Lung fever - 69


Measels (meazels) - 42, 43

Mortification - 40, 53


Numbpalsey - 60


Scarlet Fever - 42


Typhus Fever - 44


Whooping cough - 69


Bilious fever - 53

William and Anna Bennett of Mansfield, Connecticut (p. 83)