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Eldorado County Cal. September 12th 1851

Dear Sisters

I now seat myself to write you a few lines. To inform you all. That we are all well at present. And I hope when 
these few lines comes to your unwave[r]ing hands that that they will find you all enjoying all the blessings you 
could wish for[.] I received a letter the first day of september w[h]ich afforded me no small degree of pleasure 
to heare from you all being well[.] Now I will tell you [who] I am with at present[:] Brother Norville[,] Cousin 
John Wright[,] Cousin Gideon Wright[,] Cousin Gideon Haines[,] William Belshe[,] Joseph Terry[,] Abraham H. Rice[.] 
Cousin Jerry Clarkson was here yesterday[.] John D Cleveland is here at present[.] Wm Clarkson is not with us at 
present[.] The boys are all well at present and well sadisfied[.] we all would like to see you all[.] I have seen 
a great many of the Randolph boys the last few days[.] they all say they are comeing home next Spring[.] I suppose 
you would like to [k]no[w] when I am comeing home[.] If nothing happens I and Norville & Jerry & Wm P Clarkson & 
Josiah Terry will all come together next spring[.] That is the calculations at present[.] Abe Rice received a 
letter yesterday from home and stated that miss Nancy Yates was Married[.]


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I expect all the Girls will be married before we get back[.] Now I will try and tell you what kind of a place I am 
campt in[.] it is a little pine log Cabin up on a little hill[.] we have plenty to eat and to drink[.] plenty of 
bed close[clothes] but we have to sleep on the ground[.] We can step out doors and look up in the mountains and see 
plenty of snow[.] We have had a beautiful little rain a few days ago for the first [time] since March but this is a 
beautiful morning[.] I am very well sadisfied at present[.] Norville B & Joseph B & Uncle Thomas Biswell started home 
the first of Sept and got as far as to Sanfrancisco and turned back[.] Norville He come back to the mines[.] [Joe?] 
stop[p]ed at Sacramento City and they left uncle Thomas at Sanfrisco[.] I have not he[a]rd from them since But I 
expect Uncle Tom will come home[.] This is a very dull time for mining[.] the reason it is we have no water to wash 
the dust But we think the rainy season will set in before long[.] You need not to think the reason Jonna & Norville 
don't come home [is] that they have not got any money but we have money anough to come home any time we please[.] 
That is all I have to say about the mines[.]


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A few more lines and then I am done[.] I want you all to take care of your selves and do the best you can and never 
mind me for I can take care of myself[.] I would like to see you all very well at present But I hope you are all doing 
well[.] I have he[a]rd some bad news about corn corps[crops] but I hope Father will raise plenty to do him[.] I want 
you to write to me what Missis Cleveland done with her farm and what made them go to Virginia[.] I have he[a]rd that 
Miss Lisy Holeman and her husband had [se]p[a]rated[.] I would like to [k]no[w] something about thes[e] things[.] 
don't be affraid to write for I would like to [k]no[w] if I am in Cal[.] I expect you both will be married before I 
get back[.] I want [to hear how] Uncle Blueford Sims is agetting along and Cousin Dunlin and Uncle Dunlin Wright & 
Grandfather[.] Also Write all about the connection and friends And all about the Girls who married and A few lines 
[about] John Biddle[.] Dear brother I would like to see you at present but I do not expect I wou[l]d [k]no[w] you 
for I expect you are as large as I am[.] I want you to [go] to school and learn all you can so that you can write 
me a letter[.] breake your ponys and learn them how to pace againts[again?] I get back for I will want one that will 
pace[.] I would like to [k]no[w] wether you go to see any of the girls or nott 


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and how you are getting along with them[.] that is all. Your affectionate Brother Jonathan[.] I want you to write to 
me wether Uncle Thomas Wright went to oregon or not for if I do not come home next spring I may go to Oregon to see 
the Country[.] I would like to [see] Father and Mother and all the rest of [you] very well[.] Write to me how James 
is a getting[.] A few lines to uncle James Belshe and Aunt Dilly[.] I have not received the first letter from you 
since I left home[.] Aunt Dilly you promised to write to me all about the girls[.] now I will tell you what you will 
have to do[.] you will have to [throw] us a party when we get home for not writing to us[.] I would like to [k]no[w] 
how you are getting [along] farming[.] That is all[.] Now I must bring my letter [to a close]. Given my best respects 
to Mr. Dysant and his family and write to me how all the Girls are getting along[.] Give my best respects [to] Uncle 
John Clarkson and family[.] tell Sarah E. Clarkson that I would like to see her and Margret but I expect they both 
will be married before I get back[.] Give my Best Respects to all inquiring friends the female just in particuler[.] 
If we never more meet in this wor[l]d I hope and trust that we will meet in Heaven where we never more shall part[.] 
this from your affectionate Brothers

J. H. Biswell
N. B. Biswell

to you 

Mary K. Biswell
Dilly M. Biswell

[P. S.] please excuse my short letter and all the mistakes[.]