1847: Rev. Austin Coleman to Rev. Chester Coleman

This letter was written by Rev. Austin Coleman (1815-Aft1880) to his older brother, Rev. Chester Coleman (1812-1906). Both brothers were ministers in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their parents were Joseph Coleman (1783-1850) and Sarah Bishop (1791-1871) of Tolland County, Connecticut. Austin mentions his sister Ruth Coleman (b. 1817) who was married to Rust Willis (b. 1820).  He also mentions his brother Joseph Coleman (1815-1878) who married Mary C. Brockway.

Austin was married in 1840 to Mary Ann (b. 1824) and had two children by the time this letter was written; Clarissa Emma Coleman (b. 1845) and Austin Wilbur Coleman (b. 1847).

Leonard Barne’s death is announced in the letter. Leonard Barnes was born in Culpepper, Virginia in 1769. He died in Holmes County, Ohio on election day, 5 April 1847.

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TRANSCRIPTION

Addressed to Rev’d Chester Coleman, of the North Ohio Conference, Pratt Post Office, Port Jefferson, Shelby Co., Ohio

Nashville [Holmes County, Ohio]
April 18, 1847

Dear Brother,

Having a little leisure I concluded that I would write a few lines to you. My health is very good at the present. Mary Ann enjoys her health better than she has done. The children are all well. I received your last letter containing the five dollars. We have had our 3d Quarterly meeting – nothing special. There is quite a great deficiency in quarterly matters – more than $300.

Old Father [Leonard] Barns is ded. He fell down ded while he was at an election. Nothing farther of importance to communicate from this part.

I was up North last week. Father’s folks are all usually well. Sarah was teaching school where she did last year. Ruth and her children were all at Father’s. Joseph & wife are well. Joseph is much troubled for the want of a team. I was at Seville and hired a house for Ruth – have to pay 50 per week. Aunt Ruth is quite out of health. Blanchard’s folks have lost their little boy. Mr. Stuard & wife were at Uncle John’s. I cald in Wadsworth with Brother Warner and got that recipe for curing ring bones on horses and sent it to Joseph that he might make an application of it on your animal. Will you have any Camp Meeting on your circuit? If you let me know and I may come to it. Our Folks had received a letter from Aunt Aurelia. She is still in Indiana. Her husband has been quite sick for several months.

You must excuse the brevity of this letter as the spirit does not move me to write much for I feel as stupid as a mule. You must not forget to write.

Yours as ever, — Austin Coleman