Lease of Life, Ray T. Sands to Col. Ray Sands 1797; 1810 Letter To Nancy (Paine) Sands File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by and © by Karen Foley Simmons 1998. USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, *and* permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. -------------------------------------------------------------- Block Island Introduction The following transcriptions of the original letters were donated by Karen Foley Simmons, originally from Narragansett, who would like to give special thanks to her Aunt Nancy J. Pullis, of Falmouth Maine, without whom she would never have become involved in genealogy. Assisting Karen with the transcriptions was historian friend Robert Downie, of Block Island. Karen's Notes: Most of these letters were mailed to Block Island, some from Georgia from the estate of Catherine and General Nathanael Greene to family on Block Island. The Cornelia of the letters is Cornelia Lott Greene (married for the second time to Edward Littlefield) daughter of Catherine Littlefield Greene and General Nathanael Greene. She was writing to her cousin, Nancy (Paine) Sands, [Karen's] 3rd great grandmother. The Phebe in the letters is Nancy's sister. Please note the names, the Rays and Sands were founding families of Block Island and they along with the Littlefields are mentioned extensively in RI history. All documents are from Block Island, all letters were mailed to Block Island, through Newport, with original postmarks still intact in most cases. Also, Cornelia talks about having "not a soul in her own family" around, Catharine Greene cut all ties with her daughter about that time because of her marriage to her cousin Edward, son of Capt. William Littlefield also of the revolutionary war and brother to Catharine. Karen recommends for in-depth information on Catharine Littlefield and her husband General Greene, "Caty, A Biography of Catharine Littlefield Greene" Author Stegeman. A paperback version is available through bookseller. Karen elaborates, "It is a fascinating BEHIND THE SCENES view of the revolutionary war and the characters we are talking about. For example, Gen. and Mrs. Greene were intimate friends of George and Martha Washington and named their first two children after them. Also, Catharine's second husband, Phineas Miller, was a business partner of Eli Whitney in the invention of the cotton gin - which was financed by Catharine." Lease of Life, Ray T. Sands to Col. Ray Sands 1797 The outside of this document is titled "Lease of Life, Ray T. Sands to Col. Ray Sands 1797" and has been copied as written to the best of my abilities. If a word was illegible I simply filled in the space with *****. The punctuation is the author's. Transcribed by Karen Foley Simmons, January 1998. TO ALL PEOPLE to whom these Presents shall come Greeting. Know Ye that where in my Honored Father Ray Sands of New Shoreham in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island *** Yeoman hath by a certain Deed of conveyance under his and seal bearing date April the 11th AD 1797 hath given Granted and Bargained Conveyed and Confirmed unto me Ray T. Sands of the Same County and State above said a Certain tract of Land with the Privileges and Appointances as named in Said Conveyance; Now I do hereby for the Consideration of the Rents hereafter Specified; that is to Say he my Said Honored Father Paying me five cents *** year and Every Year During his Natural Life; than I do hereby for my Self my heirs Excetera and **** Covenant Promise and Engage that he my Said Honored Father shall and may Peaceably and Quietly use occupy possess and Enjoy the Said Lot of Land with the *** premises during his Natural Life without any set hindrance or molestation from me or any Person from by or under me In Witnesses where of I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this fifteenth day of April in the Twenty first Year of Independence AD 1797. Signed and Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Walter Rathbun (there is part of a capital R in this part with the rest of the corner, probably containing signatures torn away) ================================================================ 1810 Letter To Nancy (Paine) Sands From Her Sister Phebe Ray (Paine) Carruthers This letter, dated 1810, was mailed to Mrs. Nancy (Paine) Sands on Block Island, RI from her sister Phebe Ray (Paine) Carruthers (initials PRC). It was mailed from Dungeness the estate of Catherine Littlefield Greene, her aunt and wife of General Nathanael Greene, on Cumberland Island, Georgia. This letter was transcribed exactly as written. Punctuation and spelling belong to the author. Words that are illegible are filled in with *****. Transcribed by Karen Foley Simmons. Dungeness, March 30, 1810 I wrote you not long since my dear Sister by post which I hope soon to receive an answer to - saying our dearest father is restored to health and happyness - I have been extremely anxious about him - had it not been for Uncle Littlefield’s goodness in mentioning that you were all well in a letter to Aunt I should have been very miserable. Cousin Cornelia is delighted with her little namesake - she has given me calaco enough to make her three frocks --- but I imagine she will be the bearer of them herself as she thinks of going North this summer --- dear little darling how I long to see her (trotting) about (the) house --- whom does she look like --- you must teach her to call her Aunty as soon as she can speak. Tell John I commission him to do that ---- I have nothing to send the dear little soul but some old frocks to make her some little slips. We have now delightful summer weather - the whole air is impregnated with the delightful perfume of the Orange **** --- The Cotton has come up beautifully we have new potatoes --- the strawberry beds are red with fruit --- how I wish I could put them in dear little Cornelia’s mouth --- let me beg & intreat of you my dear Nancy not to spoil your child --- you can’t begin to early to teach her obedience & to submit to your will --- Alas you have but too sad A spectacle --- before your eyes of Children that are left to grow up of them selfs & I hope it may be a useful lesson to you & John both ---- added to which a spoilt child never makes friends & never will beloved --- I hope to feel more than a ***** affection for her which I never can have if she is spoilt --- tell your good Man I am in high expectation of a letter from him soon & give mylove to your Mother (in law?) Polly & all that I love and that love me ---- As I have to write Aunt Peggy & this (ship) I hear sails tomorrow - I must bid you good by my dear Nancy - May heaven forever bless you & yours in the Prayers of your affectionate Sister ---- PRC Do when you *** or hear from Jane or Sally Hull send them my kindest love **************************************** (note: there is more to this postscript but the remainder of the letter is torn away)