1841: Abigail G. Simpson to Lewis Simpson

Lewis Simpson in later years

This letter was written by Abigail G. Simpson (1821-Aft1870), the daughter Paul Rolfe Simpson (1791-1881) and Hannah Thomas (1797-18xx) of Newcastle, Lincoln County, Maine. Abigail married Lawson F. Clement (1824-Bef1870) on 13 November 1848; he was a tailor from Vermont who resided in Rumford, Oxford County, Maine.

Abigail wrote the letter in 1841 to her 24 hear-old brother, Lewis Simpson (1817-1885), who was living with his first wife, Julia, in Lubec, Maine. After Julia’s death, Lewis married Lucretia Carter Austin (in 1847) in Milford, Penobscot County, Maine. Lewis was in the lumber mill business.

Stampless Letter

TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Mr. Lewis Simpson, Lubec, [Washington County] Maine

Newcastle, [Maine]
January 3, 1841

Dear Brother,

It is with pleasure that I take pen and paper in hand to let you know that I am well and hope you are the same. I have not heard from the girls since last August. There were well when then. Mary Jane had gone to sea with Myrick then and I don’t know as she is come back yet. I heard that John had gone down to Kerrena [Corinna] and had took George with him. He never come to see me when he was up at all. I guess he don’t care much about me or he would have & just called if nothing more.

I should like to see you and Julia very much indeed. I should think you and her might come up this winter and see the folks. I have no doubt but they would be glad to see you — all of them. They have all gone off and left me and I am quite lonesome and I want you to come up and see me. You [page creased] …sure but I guess you could find a place to stay at all the time you would stay. You would want to go round and see the folks and would not stay a great while at a place.

I heard that you had gone to college and that you sent a book to Franklin Tukay but I don’t believe it because I don’t think you have learning enough. It requires great learning to go to college.

Mr. Dean keeps our school here this winter. It has kept about three months, and I don’t know how much longer it will keep. I don’t like him half so well as I did Mr. Williams one that kept last winter.

Give my love to Julia and all the rest of the folks. Aunt is well but Uncle is quite sick and has been this some time. I don’t know as I have anything more to write of any consequence. I want you to write as soon as possible. It is good while since you wrote to me. This will make twice that I have written to you. You must excuse my hand writing for I wrote it in the evening. I can’t seem to think of anything more to write now but the next time I will write more.

From your affectionate sister, — Abigail G. Simpson

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