Copy of Letter Written by E. Davis to his Father, Amos Davis Gilboa P.O....Schoharie County, NY

Kind Father-

I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you. I received your letter last summer and have been waiting for one thing and another to get ready to write to you. You wrote to me of Mother's and Betsey's death. I had heard of them by Ruth Allen's letter before. I meant to come down and see you before this time as I hoped to see my mother again in this life but it is otherwise ordered and there is a power that knows what is best and it is of no use for us to murmur or repine. It seems that Death has been very busy amongst you since I left you and it seems to me that I would be a stranger now in my native home, knowing none of the new race nor they not knowing me but I think of coming down to see you. We thought we should get away this summer but Phoebe thinks is doubtful whether she can leave the girls to keep house this summer as most of the boys will be home most of the summer but we mean to come to you as soon as we can this season, of possible.

Alonzo talks of going to the State of New York this season but whether he will get to Westerlo or not I do not know. Harvey is at home and lives with us. He bought a piece of land last fall joining ours. Amos is at home at present. The boys have been making shingles this spring and will make till the first of June before they raft them down to Saginaw. Shingles fetch $1.25 a thousand at Saginaw and the can raft on; hundred thousand at a time or more if they have them. It is only 20 miles by the river from our place to Saginaw and ? by land.

Alexander has gone out to work for the season. Oliver and William work at home with Harvey and me. We have got 12 acres of wheat sown and planted about 8 acres of corn this season besides oats, barley , potatoes and rutabagas. We have about 20 head of cattle, 6 head of poneys, 8 sheep and 10 hogs. We only got the sheep a year ago, that is the first was fetched in the town. It was supposed the wolves would kill all the sheep but they have never troubled ours yet. Oliver caught a wolf in a trap a few days ago. The bounty is ten dollars in this county. We have caught several wolves and bears by trapping. Oliver is the greatest trapper and hunter amongst the boys. He has got a rifle that loads 100 balls to the pound and he kills as often as if the balls were as big again. Amos killed two deer at one shot since we lived here, with his rifle. There is plenty of game here in the woods such as elk, moose, bear, wolves and wild cats, fishers or the black cat, some wild turkeys and along the river otters, minks, muskrats and plenty of coons. The political coons are about used up in this state.

If you see any that wants to come out west tell them to come here. If any county will suit them this will. The advantages of sending to market cant be beat. We can start from our homes and go to Detroit by water and from there all over the world. The greatest fisheries here winter or summer as there is in the U.S. White fish in summer and trout in winter. Send as many Democrats as you can although our county is Democratic, our town is Whig by a small majority.

We have a new tanery started here. The building is 30 by 64 feet. A new grist mill. A saw mill. A frame school house. Two blacksmiths. Carpenters. I can't write half that I want to. You must some of you come out and see us and see for yourselves. I send to all of you Father, Brothers and Sisters. Give my respects to all of my friends, especially Oliver Hunt. Tell him that we are coming down soon as we can to make him a visit. Give my respects to Asa Tish, Ruben and Deborah. of course you will send this letter and all the boys that don't live in your neighborhood. Tell Samuel's wife she will remember the children’s names to VanBrens and the younger ones are Helen, Eleanor, Hester and Eliza being the last one. We wanted to fill up as many names as we could. We have 13 children alive, the youngest 21 years old.

Yours affectionately

E. Davis

Phoebe says I must give her respects to all our friends and relations and especially Oliver Hunt. Tell him our Oliver is the tallest Davis yet. He is 6 feet high. You need not show this part of the letter to strangers. I send this to the boys. In the year 1840 I was elected on of the county commissioners. In 1840 in the Township I was elected Justice of the Peace. In 1843 I was elected Town Clerk and Commissioner of Highways. In 1843 relected Town Clerk and Assessor and overseer of the Poor. The present year term for Justice of the Peace expired. I was relected Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk and I hold the highest office in the school Dist. that is Moderator but I have had friends among the Whigs altho they know me to be a strong Democrat.

E. Davis