These are transcriptions of two separate letters I recently purchased which will be of interest to Westbrook, Maine residents. They were written in the early 19th century. My purpose for the purchases was to share the material with readers.

This 1st letter mentions the Canal (Cumberland & Oxford Canal) I was particularly interested in the following letter, though I have read publications about the Canal,  I have never seen mention of it or found records from any research I have conducted. It was written on one sheet of paper and folded into an envelope as not to waste any part of the paper. It was addressed to Mr. Lewis Warren, North Parsonsfield, Maine . In the bottom left corner it was written ‘to the care of Master Lavitt’ so it must have been hand delivered.

Saccarappa, May 5th, 1835

Dear Son,

                    It is with pleasure I inform you that we are all well and hopping you are enjoying the same blessing. I received your letter April the 25th. I should have rote but I set up with Misses Lunt that night. I was sorry when Mr. Whitten calld that it happened thus I wanted him to tarry that day it being vary rany. I feal glad to hear from you. I thought you would be discontented. I hope you will be steddy and strive to learn that which will be useful in time and pray God to teach you that which will make you happy in eternity. I believe it is our duty to be thankful for evry blessing that we receiv but how unthankful we are but I pray God to giv us hearts to love and searve him. Your father and George and William is up the river. We have a large family but we have another girl. The canal boat started up after the first load April the 25th on Fryday. Lass had a colt Sunday April the 27th.Henry Perit arived here May the 1st. I have nothing more at present but my good wishes and love to you.

Elenor Warren

The 2nd letter is also of interest because it was apparently penned by a Quaker living in Westbrook. The letter was addressed to Ezra Northey of Salem, Mass. This was a long letter also folded from a sheet of paper fashioned into an envelope, and sealed with wax.

Westbrook 11th M? 10th 1826 

My Dear Sister,

                    We received a letter from brother John about three weeks since informing us of the death of Aunt Northey. It was very unexpected to us tho’ we had heard she was very feeble indeed, yet we had thought it likely that she might live some time. You must miss her very much yet I think we none of us ought to regret that she is taken from this wilderness of woe. I was very glad brother John happened to be with you. Our dear Uncle Nathan Winslow bade adieu to this world about eight o’clock 3rd day evening, he was buried this afternoon. It was so very rainy that none of the family attended the funeral except father and John Torrey . Sister I. has been quite sick all day and Mother is quite unwell. Sarah seems to be threatened with a fever. I think she seems better this evening. Uncle Nathan has been gradually declining all the summer and fall, and for the last three weeks very fast indeed. He will be very much missed by his family and friends.
                     Sister Lydia has a fine young daughter who will be three weeks old tomorrow. They call her Martha P. Lydia was very sick indeed but now seems to be very smart. I attended Durham Quarterly Meeting accompanied Merry Davis. We went down in company with John and Mary Minott. We had a very good meeting indeed. Mary B. Allen attended. I think she is an excellent teacher.
 Thou canst not think how queer it seems to see sister L. with a babe. I tell her she is most shockingly awkward. She can not talk to it hardly a bit, but Caleb is a very good hand. I think it quite a likely looking child for its age. Sister Hannah and the little ones are all well. Cousin Henry Jones is very sick with a fever. I believe they are expecting Esther home soon. We shall be very glad to see her but, but I expect cousin Eunice will miss her very much indeed. We feel very lonesome indeed with Isaiah and John both gone. We have spun all our wool and have got about 30 yards wove, have not been very smart and have made 11 barrels of cider and got about 20 bushels of apples in the cellar. I wish brother E. had a barrel of it for it is super excellent. May we not expect you down this winter don’t say no. Thou can’t think how much I want to see little M. I suppose she can trot anywhere now and say a great many pretty things. Do give her a hundred kisses for her Aunt M.   Little Frederick is a very interesting child and he seems very well indeed now. I have not time to fill my sheet now so thou must take the will for she and the family join me in love to you Cousin Wms family.

Thy affectionate sister, Maria