DeForest, W. H., Correspondence, 1846-1854

Containers:

Folder 1

Scope and content:

A.L.S., New Orleans, 12/14/1846 to (daughter) Mary, 4pp. Details of business; complains of mosquitoes; sleeps in store, boards at St. Charles Hotel; describes funeral of Major Ringold and Lt. Cochran who died at Camargo; says many inhabitants only speak French and Spanish; urges daughter to continue to study French and avoid boys.

A.L.S., New Orleans, 12/25/1846 to Mary, 4 pp. Tells of Christmas trip eight miles from N. O., cescribes life along Mississippi, homes, flora and trees, site of Jackson's 1814 battle; tells of Army loading horses on steamboats for Army at Tampicl; meeting of Juvenile Temperance Society; life in N.O. on Christmas day.

A.L.S., New Orleans, 04/14/1847 to daughter Mary, New York, 1 pp.; with appended note from Atlanta to Mary apologizing for Mother reading letter before Mary. Advising of return to New York by way of steamer Globe to Brownsville (Texas); partner of N. W. Chittenden in Panama. Stampless cover on obverse, New Orleans markings, addressed to Mary J. DeForest, New York.

A.L.S., New Orleans, 02/27/1847 to daughter Mary, 2 pp. Notes on yellow fever in city since November; tells of travels of business partner N. W. Chittenden.

A.L.S., New Orleans, 02/06/1848 to daughter Mary, 2 pp., addressed to Kingston, Ulster County, New York. Tells of trip from town to Mr. Bryan, visit to sugar refining plantations; describes flora, fruit, trees; tells of lonliness; and that dining hour is 3:00 at St. Charles Hotel. Stampless cover markings, obverse.

A.L.S., New Orleans, 05/28/1848 to Mary, 2 pp. Tells about business; partner Chittenden to Vera Cruz; rooms with T. C. Kendall of Boston; weather, etc.

A.L.S., New Orleans, 01/13/1851 to daughter Mary, 3pp. Cholera epidemic abating; business dull because 25,000 people fled city; trying to set up some new stores.

A.L.S., San Juan de Nicaragua, 03/03/1851 to Mary, 2 pp. Tells of business; plans to develop stores in Granada and Costa Rica.

A.L.S., San Juan de Nicaragua, 05/12/1851 to Mary, 4 pp. Incomplete. Detailed letter about climate, cities rivers, transportation facilities, etc. of Nicaragua and attempts to navigate its rivers for trade.

A.L.S., San Juan de Nicaragua, 11/05/1851 to daughter Mary, 1 pp. Very little details of business, primarily reprimanding daughter concerning etiquette, male acquaintances, fatherly concerns.

A.L.S., New York, 03/16/1854 to Mary, 2 pp. Detailed letter on business affairs, plans to open additional stores, closing boat operations, plans to come home, some implication that he may be retiring from or leaving business.

Diary, 1860.

Pocket diary with pencil entries, January-March 1860; some mention of Mobile (Alabama). Mostly weather, names of visitors, and health.

Other Items:

15 cent Scrip note; "The Central Rail Road & Banking Co. of Georgia will pay the bearer FIFTEEN CENTS in currency when presented in sums of Five Dollars and upwards. Savannah, December 19, 1861.

(note: well-worn note).

The Daily Rebel, Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 9, 1862. 4 pp. newspaper. (Inside: No. 9).

NOTE: on front under masthead is note 'entered in Librarian's Office, Washington, D.C., 1891.

[14 pieces]

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