George Chase

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Description

George updates Dudley on the state of the farm, tenants, and other financial matters and potential transactions

Date

Spring 3-24-1826

Keywords

Aunt Chase, Salmon, Capt. Cotton, Mr. Lamb, Northfield farm, Mr. Starkweather, Mr. Russell, Eli Blodgett, Mr. Waldo, Mr. F. Converse, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Ainsworth, Clifford, Mr. Mixter, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Eddy, Mr. Sam Pember, Mr. Grover

Transcript

Randolph Mar. 24. 1826 Evening

My Dear Uncle,

Before I sat down I had thought of many things which I wished to write, but now when I come to put pen to paper they seem all to have flown. In your last under date of Mar. 14 you have constituted me one of the “Grand Council on Agricultural Affairs.” I thank you for the compliment and as a militia captain says “I shall endeavour to do my duty to the best of my abilities.” You direct me with Salmons aid to attend to you “city” business. I have accordingly today with Aunt Chase examined the Leases of Bed’d, Cole, [Stathf], Johon’t, & Lamb, have taken a transcript of your accounts and 2 small notes [vs] 2 of the individuals af’d & enclosed the whole in a letter to Capt. Cotton with such directions as he can not mistake requesting him to attend to the business. I have no doubt but that he will do so, to the best possible advantage. On many accts, I should prefer this method--my personal feelings might operate very much to my disadvantage and particularly as to Mr. Lamb--when when demanding rent of him I should not know how to reply to his demand for payment of his own account [vs] me--but that I was acting as agent for another.

You will excuse these qualms so long as you know that the business is in the hands of one who will do it as well and as faithfully as Salmon. Aunt Chase requests me to wait until she hears from you relative to the Northfield farm. She has no doubt given you all the necessary information. In case, we receive no particular directions I shall ride to N. & -- do the best that I can for your advantage, taking the advice of Mr. Starkweather and Mr. Russell.

Has M. Eli Blodgett written to you on this subject?

Mr. Waldo has at length concluded to give the $145 being the consideration expressed in the deed from Mr. F. Converse to you. Mr. Arnold said that he did not remember having appraised the South lot of 20 acres. Mr. Ainsworth had said that it was $6 per acre but the consideration expressed in the deed would make it considerably more than that, as it is recorded in the T. G. Office. Mr. Waldo with either his father or brother are to give their note for $145--pay in 1 year with interest. The security is good. Are there terms I ventured to agree (according to the directions in your letter to me) that he might go on to the lot and that he should have a deed on your returns.

I hope the transaction is such as you will approve and I believe that as the principal value of the lot consists in the timber growing on it, Mr. W. is the most suitable person to purchase that for yourself so long as Clifford and others are constantly depredating, it would be advisable for you to sell.

Mr. Mixter who has threatened to remove, has I understand concluded to remain. I hope to see him in a few days when I can learn his further pleasure. I am now busily engaged for a day or two in getting up wood sufficient for my family during the summer but I fear that the rain which is now incessantly falling will prevent us from attaining that object. I have however sufficient to last me thro’ a great part of the summer already at the door, but in such great logs! I have nothing but an old meat axe sharpened to hack them in pieces.

Saturday Morning

It has rained most violently all the night long. The snow has almost entirely disappeared and my hopes about getting up wood and of making sugar are blasted in the very bud. But really I never knew so great a quantity of rainfall in so short a space of time. Mr. Murphy who has been in here a few minutes this morning after a chain, says that the road this side of Mr Allens is perfectly impassable and that the neighbours are about to repair it.

I have seen Mr. Eddy since I received you last letter and have endeavoured to obtain his advice in the same spirit of conciliation that you recommend to me. We have agreed as to what he will assist me about this place and the plan of operations is arranged. [parts crossed out]

Since writing the preceding Mr Eddy has been in here and wished me to write a letter for him on business and feeling as I do now towards him I have thought proper to erase [what] I had written as unjust towards him--so that you [?] pretty fair specimen of the current of my thoughts.

The [?] of Mr. Sam[eu]l Pember applied to me for advice relative to the settlement of the estate. They had thought [that] they could settle it without recourse “to the Law,” but I advised by all means to have an [Admiral] appointed represent the estate as insolvent. They have accordingly so done.

As to my own little affairs I am as comfortable perhaps as a man could wish to be. I am supplied abundantly by Mr. Murphy with milk in return for about a day’s writing I did for him. Mr Eddy is foddering out the hay here to his cattle. Mr. Grover has been here lately--he seemed to be more reconciled to affairs than ever. He proposed to my wife to send her up a cow. As I am just now at the close of my letter I think of many things about which I should wish to write, but must delay them until next week.

In the hope that I shall see you in about 8 weeks in good health and spirits, I remain your affectionate nephew and friend

Geo. Chase

(P.S. All well at your house)

Letter to Dudley Chase

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