Stephen Grover and Nancy Borland family
Letter from Stephen Grover to his brother Freeman Grover , Esq., in Southport Maine, USA
sent to me by Garry GroverEdmundston
(5?) July 1856
Dear Bro
After so long a time since I wrote to you, I have once more embraced an opportunity of letting you know that I am, well at this present time. as could be expected for a man of my age. I have had no sick(?) since I wrote to you and I feel very thankful to the Lord for the measure of health I enjoy. All the rest of my family are well at this time (?). I earnestly hope an pray that these lines, will find you and your beloved wife, your sons and daughters well. I will now tell you dear Brother the reason why I did not write to you before. we attended court at Houlton last March and got judgement bhen we had to sue th Hight Sheriff and we cant obtain any money before next March 1857 unless my sons and the man they sued should make some arrangements they have been making Each other offers but I do not think that my sons will accept of his ofers. although they ma(?)therefore I did not like to write to you before I got some money to send you and I have not got any yet. for My sons have not got their money for last winters work. and I rather doubt of their getting it before the Fall. Although they have the promise of it before long, I will send you the money I had from you as soon as I posibly can. believe me you are sure of it. Those has been very hard times hear. Provisions has been verry (down here ?) since last fall. Flour has been no less than $14 & $16. per barrel and every (?) in proportion. we do not know anything about want but we we have had to pay dear enough for to Supply our winte provisions is some cheaper now. we dont expect to leave here before next June 1857. I hope we shall see each other then. there is every prospect of good times on this river the comming year. I received a letter in April from Bro Wing and Sister Nancy. they are well as of (?) when they wrote they tell me that they are in comfortable circumstances they give a good account of the Western States as far as they have any knowledge about Several places there. I want you to write to me as soon as you receive this letter and let me know how you are and all the rest of your family and how your son Freeman is and how he has got his season with the Vesel and what luck he has had fishing. I will communicate with you again before long give my love and best respects to your wife your sons and daughters and accept a large share of my love and respects yourself
May the Lord bless you Dear Brother
and keep you from all Evil, (?)
the (?) of temptation, so prays
your affectionate brother
Stephen Grover