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Hond Sir

Equivt July 10th 1783---

We recieved the several articles and sent us by Johnny
(who got home well & seasonable on Monday) but they do
not come agreable to Brother's bill. He charges me 6lb of
Coffee & 2 1/2 of Tea. I have not weighed either exactly, but
think there is but 6 1/2 lb of Coffee in the whole 2lb of which
Sister Stoddard is to have and 5 1/2lb of Tea, of which
she expects 4 - so that I fail of the 1 1/2lb Coffee & 1 lb Tea--
[(written on side) I have weighed the Tea and find but 5lb 4 1/2 oz--]
Patty chose ye dark Chints; of Consequence the other will
be charged to me. Tom Nichols lives at Windsor
near the futher Side of the Town so that I could not see
him with Conseq Convenience. I have writ to him and
sent verbal messages twice to hasten him down and
probably he has received the Letter and messages too--

My wishes to maintain a little Semblance of old
Way in my House prompts an Inclination for a few pounds
of your good Sugar to set before Company. We donot
need it on any other account. If I might have 1/4 C
for flour in the winter (in Case the wheat should not
be spoiled by the wet Season) I should like to have it

The disagreable Aspect upon political affairs
has no Influence upon my Mind with respect to the
Sale of my Interest there. The Affection for particular
Place, and certain Connexions; however strong once, will
greatly lessen and be in a manner lost by distance
of time and place. New Views and pursuits and the
forming new friendships by establishing new Ties greatly
contribute to the weakening and destroying old ones--
besides it is an unprofitable estate - it does not pay half
the interest payable for it; The produce would not be of
any Consideration in computing the Charge of my
family, why then should I wish to keep it? What
I have chiefly to regrett is the holding it till it has lost

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This letter, dated July 10, 1783, is from William Williams (1735-1809), of Dalton, to his father, Israel (1709-1788), the owner, with Israel Jr., of a general store in Hatfield, Massachusetts. William comments about the state of political affairs and that he still wants to sell his house and lot in Hatfield. He needs the money to pay part of what he owes some Executors and to educate his children. Due to the state of the economy, the value of property has gone down and is not likely to get better. William has had a severe accident with a horse and is now afraid to ride, so tells his father there is no probability that he will visit him this summer.

 

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Letter to Colonel Israel Williams

author   William Williams (1735-1808)
date   Jul 10, 1783
location   Dalton, Massachusetts
width   6.5"
height   8.25"
process/materials   manuscript, paper, ink
item type   Personal Documents/Letter
accession #   #L04.020


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See Also...

Letter to Israel Williams

Letter to David Hoyt [Hoit] regarding Shays' Rebellion

Letter to John Williams


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