AUGUST 1855 LETTER FROM NICHOLAS & MARY STEPHENS - Transcript & notes by Joe Stevens of Blair Co., PA

Benton Coy Io
Aug 10
Mr. Nicholas Stephens
Blair Coy
Frankstown Post
PA

August 5th 1855

Dear son we received your letter of the 20 of may and was happy to hear that you ware all well. We are all well at present wich is one of the greatest blessings we can enjoy. The Friends are all well as far as we know. I suppose you have heared that John rifsell (1) and wife and William rifsell (1) and family arrived here in april and I think they had better stayed in PA for they are a disgrace to society so much for that . We had a very cold and dry spring bu when summer commenced we had the right kind of weather. Wheat crops are great and corn crops look better then ever I seen them since I have been in this country and every thing else looks promiseing. We have about six hundred dozen of wheat. Wheat is worth 1.00 25 cents per bushel but it will come down to 75 cts before long. Corn is worth 40 cents but I think again fall it will not ve worth more than 20. Oats is worth 30 cts Beef is 8 to 10 cts oer lb in Vinton but I bought Some thisweak for 3 cts per lb. Bacon 7 hams 9 shourg (?) 8 cts per lb there is the greatest prospect of Potatoes than ever I seen we espect three hundred bushels . Horses are very high any thing of a horse will bring one hundred and fifty to seventy five dollars. Cattle are rather coming down. The Perararia is all entered between this and iowa River and is settles from 8 to 9 miles out from us. I spoke to Abraham myers about that money he owed you and he told me he thought black frank had Paid it and that was all the satisfaction he gave me and he has left here and has gone to hardin County. As I have nothing putickular to rite I will bring my letter to a close.

Nothing more at this time bur remain your father and Mother until death

Mary Stephens Nicholas Stephens

(1) I believe this to be the John and William Russell families. Mary Ann Stephens (daughter of Nicholas and Mary) married a John Russell. The John Russell mentioned in the letter may be the father-law and William the Uncle-in-law of Mary Ann.

Family page for Nicholas & Mary Stephens