Zebina and Lois Colton to Andrew and Ruth Fletcher and Lydia Colton, 1850 January 20
Primary tabs
i now take pen in hand to write a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present but Curtis he has been sick ever since last winter but i think he is on the gain you wrote that you wanted i should send you the old family record but i never had it i think that it was left with Lemuels things to Sharon but i dont know my sircumstances are such that i dont think that i shall be able to come to visit you this winter but should be glad to if i could you must come and see me as soon as you can Andrew i want you should come and buy my farm for me it stands about ten dollars per acre to the land office and the land Agent says that he wont let me have it one cent less than what it stands at to the office but if you will come and buy it for me you can get it for five or six dollars per acre and if you could come and buy it for me i should be glad if you will it will [save] paying our considerable money i want that you should come between this and march if not i want you to write to me as soon as you get this letter i have no news to write so i must draw to a close by subscribing ourselves
your affectionate Brother & SisterZebina ColtonLois Colton
The following section is in a different hand.
I tak my pen in hand to write a few lines to you to inform you that i am well and hope these few lines will find you the same we your letter and were glad to hear from you it has been very dry the past summer and crops were very light corn is 4 and 6 or 5-6 cts per bushel wheat one dollar Potatoes 31 cts hay [$7.00]/per ton oats 37 1/2 cts stock is rather low tell the cousins to write how they ar a getting along in learning i attend school this winter i study Aritmetic Geography and Grammar i have been through [adamses] and have got nearly through [davies] dear cousins strive to get learning as you will see upon the other page that our land is in rather a bad condition and if you come and buy it we will satisfy you for your trouble Lydia wrote that she was thought of coming here this winter we should be glad to see her they had some thoughts of comeing but have given it up