March 24, 1859
To: Luke Keith
From: George Tomlinson, Pavilion, NY
Noah backed out of the trade because he wasn’t satisfied with the survey. He wanted it chained out; he wasn’t willing to take the U.S. survey. Would like Luke to put up a Farm For Sale board. They don’t expect Dan Sprague to live much longer. Old Squire Brooks was buried and his daughter, Mrs. Mathews, died March 27th.
Pavilion March 24/59
C. L. Keith Esq
Uncle Noah[1] has backed out of the trade – a thing I did not expect – he is not satisfied with the survey of the land. He wanted it chained out – so he would know just the number of rods the deed calls for. He is not willing to take the United States survey. So I have that land on hand. Does Lasher[2] keep up the fences as he agreed? I suspect not. If you should see any one either in Kalamazoo or your place that wants to trade any goods in whole or in part for that land, hit into him – or any one wanting it on time – sell it. Perhaps you had better put up a board “Farm for sale.” Dont you want enough of the land to come to what I am owing you? We are well as usual. Mother[3] is rather down this winter she is troubled with her hand. Dan Sprague[4] is hard up – it is thought he will live but a few weeks at longest. He had an attack of rheumatism in the chest – which has run him into the consumption – he looks hard. Old Squire Brooks was buried one day this week. He bled from the lungs – dropt away suddenly. His daughter Mrs Mathews died a few weeks ago.
March 27. All well. Fine spring weather.
Yours
Geo. Tomlinson
[1] Noah Starr. George’s wife, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson, and Noah’s daughter-in-law, Emma (Sprague) Starr, were first cousins
[2] See footnote #2 of the February 6, 1859 letter
[3] His mother-in-law, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague, who was Luke’s sister
[4] His wife Marion’s uncle. He died just a week later on March 31, 1859
Letters to and from the Keith and Related Families 