LETTER FROM NICHOLAS STEPHENS AUGUST 1857 - transcription & notes by Joe Stevens of Blair Co., PA

Benton City, IO
Aug 1857
Mr. Nicholas Stephens
Frankstown
Blair County, PA

August 21, 1857
Dear son we received your letter of July 19 and was happy to hear that you was all well. We are All well at present which is One of the greatest blessings we can injoy. The friends are All well as far as we know. You wished to know mothers age if she had lived until November she would have been Eighty years of age and also you whether Syrus over was here. We seen nothing of him. We heared that he had started for the west but he did not reach us. My age on the third of this month I was 80 years and six months of age. I will now give you the details of this country. The grain crops the best that ever was raised in the state but we have so much rain that the folks can not get the grain in there is a great part spoiled all ready and if it keeps so much longer it will all spoil. One or two in this neighborhood that has any stacked beside ourselves. We have our wheat all stacked but about 90 dozen but all our oats is out yet and we have a food parcel of it. Corn looks well if the frost does not come two early the crops will be great. Wheat is worth but 50 cts per bushel at this time it was up to a dollar a few months ago. Oats was 75 cts per bushel corn 75 Bacon was 15 cts per lb beef sold for 10 cts per lb but is now selling at 7 or 8 per lb

Page 2

Pork will be from 6 to 7 cts per lb. Money is scars and hard to git a hold this country is very healthy this sumer there is a great prospect of a railroad coming through Benton city one mile and a half from us. They intend having it finished to cederrapids this fall. You rote you was coming out hear this fall. We would like to see you and Peter out hear as I have nothing peticular to rit I will bring my letter to a close by sending our love to you all.

Nothing mor at this time
But remain your Father
Nicholas Stephens

Footnote: note the calculations of age on the original letter scratched on the back of the first page.

Family page of Nicholas & Mary Stephens