Letter 1 of 6 from John Marsh D’CAMP to William E. D’CAMP (1825): Essex Co., NJ Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Nina Mack (HISTMOM@aol.com) Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/njfiles.htm ********************************************************* I, Nina Mack, HISTMOM@aol.com, have in my possession 7 letters, 6 written by my gr gr gr grandfather, John Marsh D'Camp, to his brother William Edgar & family, in NJ. One is about a land sale of NJ. The letters span from 1825-1837. Quakers, John Marsh D'Camp married Hannah D. Murphy 1814, in NJ. In 1823, moved his family to Preble Co., OH The letters are written on sheets of paper 15 1/4 inches wide and folded in the middle and are 12 inches long. They are folded in a certain way to3 X 4 to 6 inches wide to form the envelope. 25 is written in the upper right hand corner of some but several have FREE printed and underneath "John M D'Camp dep. Post Master at Williams Store, Butler Co., OH. When the letter arrives about 2 weeks later it has the date recieved written on the back. The receiver of the mail payed the postage till people would write the main topic on the outside of the envelope and the reciever would then refuse the letter. It was changed and the sender paid the postage. William Edgar did move his family to Butler Co., OH within 2 years after the last letter by 1839. Wm. Edgar was a carpenter & bricklayer. Wm. Edgar and John Marsh, wives and unmarried children are buried at Somerville Cemetery in Butler Co., OH. Wages & found - wages with room & board provided. Specie - cash. Viz - namely. Joiner - master carpenter. This letter to Wm. E was received Oct 1 Addressed: To William E D'Camp 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Essex County, N.J. Rahway P O Dear Brother, Township of Somers, Preble County O. 13th 8 mo. 1825 After a long time of anxious expectation I receiv'd a few lines from under thy hand ( of three several dates) about the middle of last month, in which we were truly happy to hear from our dear Parents,(William D'Camp & Nancy Williams) Brothers(William Edgar, Gideon & Philemon) & Sisters (Caroline, Harriett & Maria) once more, and as this is the only way we can converse together to make known to each other our situation as to health & welfare, while placed at so remote as distance. I sincerely hope thou wilt not be quite so remiss for the future, but write to me frequently, for it is by this our love is nourished and strenghened. I have been teaching a School this summer my quarter expires the 5th of this month and my employers do not care to send to me again because I keep but 6 hours in a day & they want me to teach 8 hours a day, which I'm not willing to do, tho, they are well satisfied as to my abilities and management. So, I leave them. I calculate to visit Cincinnati in a week or two from this, and try to get in with uncle Abraham(Williams) to work with him at his trade, &, give up the idea of school-keeping altogether. I understood that B Dunham(probably Benjamin) makes out pretty well there. I have not seen him nor Sally (family or friend from NJ) since they moved there. Isaac Vadder (operated a cabinet wareroom or furniture shop & friend from NJ) moved down to Cincinnati about 3 weeks ago, they were well at that time. I am clearing my land now a days though it has been so uncommon warm for this week past that I have done but little. I have hartly bargained for 4 acres of land adjoining mine at 7 1/2 dols per acre. But if I could but raise $300. I should buy 160 acres that lie about 20 miles north of me in this county. This quarterl(a section of land has 20 acres cleared and under fence and about 10 acres deadened, the man wishes to sell it and will take 300 dols for it. I have seen it, and it has the handsomest mill seat on it that I am acquainted with in this country, & very good land. I was happy to hear that Philemon thinks of coming out this fall to see us. I think he will never repent of his journey, provided he keeps his health on the road. Thou mayst inform him I shall be happy to see him and tell him to bring his flute & claronet along with him as it would please his uncle Marsh (Williams) & John (himself) to a nicity, as they have no such kind of music short of cincinnati. Also tell him not to let his coming end in talk altogether. I believe that Father does not think any more on coming to this country but if you all could but think it best. I'm sure if you could sell any way to advantage, that is if you could get $4000 dollars for that property it would get each of you as much of the best land at $2.00 per acre as you'd want. If Philemon comes out here this fall he may have a chance to see that land as several men from about here are going to view it this fall. I have a receipt in my possession given to me by grandfather Hatfield (Andrew, 2nd husband of his grandmother Sarah Marsh Williams) for the 50 dols I p'd him dated in February 1820, which I show'd to uncle John Williams and he say his mother told him I had p'd it he was out there. We are all about at this time except little Anna, she has been sick for more than a week. I hope these may find you all enjoying a good state of health. Please give my love to my Father & Mother, Brothers & Sisters and to thy Partner (Mary Richards) for life and accept the same thyself. Forever John M. D'Camp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.S. Please be particular in directing thy letters to "John M D'Camp William's Store Butler (not Hamilton) County, Ohio