Tower, Reuben (fl. 1831) to Julius Tower
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02233.01 Author/Creator: Tower, Reuben (fl. 1831) Place Written: Columbia, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 November 1831 Pagination: 4 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Tower writes his son that he has been traveling to Augusta, Georgia and that his health is improving. Gives the details of his journey, and discusses business, finances and the family homestead.
Excerpt: "…Since we came into S. Carolina the houses of entertainment are better - and I am told they are still better and the country more settled from this to Augusta…I feel anxious for the purchase of a fair stock of Rye - I see it has risen much in New York as has barley - I fear we shall have to pay high prices for grain again this winter…
Reuben Tower was a prominent Sangerville, New York distiller.
Columbia, South Carolina
Nov - 21 - 1831 -
My D. Son,
We arrived at this place yesterday (Sunday) at 2 - Oclock PM, and I found at the post office Charlmagne Letter of the 1st and yours of the 7th Inst - which I was happy to find - Since we left Raliegh we have traveled rather slower - partly from my not feeling quite so well part of the time and partly from good Houses of entertainment presenting at less distances - Charlmagne mentions what Ms Barrows says of the road I have traveled - the remark is true as to places of entainment in a part of Virginia and a large share of North Carolina - His remark as to lowland is not true - Since I left Richmond the route has been such a one as a consumptive man ought to travel - The whole route except narrow river flats where [illegible] cross the rivers is one continued range of pine Lands - The most sandy dry barren hills & the hills not high - The wa[text loss] from Springs and riverlets which comes from these sand hills is the finest I ever saw or tasted - The road is a very dreary one from Richmond to this place I think 2/3 the distance is pine woods - You ride distances of 3, 5, 7 & to 10 miles without meeting a house - Since we came into S. Carolina the houses of entertaiment are better - and I am told they are still better and the country more settled from this to Augusta -
My health I flatter myself is improving - I had an ill turn week before last wince which I have been rather on the gain - I have coughed less the week passed than I have any week since I left home -
My appetite has been better this week and strength and feelings better - I however anticipate an ill turn in course of this week - I shall do everything to avoid it - I do not gain any in my weight - It has [2] been from 117 to 119th since I left home - There is one [text loss]ularity in my complaint and I think a favorable one -
In July & August before I left home what I raised was raised from my left side and what affection I had seemed to be on that side - Charlmagne will remember Dr. Trowbridge saying my breath did not pass on that side as well as the other - The affection is now entirely all on the right side and what I raise comes from that side - while the left side seems entirely well - My left shoulder blade used to be effected - While now the right has the affection - I argue from this that if the left side has got well that the right will follow - and it proves the opinion of Dr. White Trowbridge Judd Potter (of Baltimore) to be sound & true that the lungs themselves are sound -
The weather has been delightful since we left Richmond only one light rain, which fell in the night when we were at Fayetteville all the time, 28 days - constant fair weather with rather a soft air - 3 or 4 slight frost in the time the [illegible] at sunrise soon and some in shade as follows for last 10 days -
11 Nov. 66' 74' 66'
12" 48- 62- 56
13 - 42- 60- 54
14 - 38- 60- 54
15 - 34- 60- 54
16 - 46- 68- 66
17 - 52- 76- 70
18 - 64- 74- 72
19 - 44- 64- 56
20 - 40- 60- 54
I am now somewhat at a loss what [come] I shall travel from Augusta through Geo - I find that the accommodations on the further side of that State next to Florida are bad - I now soon think of going down to Savannah & take the lower route - I had rather keep in the high country - yet perhaps the bad accommodations & long distance to ride will more than out weight the dampness of lower route - This is a question I shall settle at Augusta - Letters you may have directed to Milledgville If I should attn my [inserted: [lawyer]] can write the post master and have them forwarded to Savannah or St. Augustine -
I see by your reports that our affairs are well off at home - and from what you both say you & Charlmagne are giving good attention to business - I hope you are at the B[illegible]ling room evenings to attend to business and talk over with Erastus the business & work of the next [3] day - I feel anxious for the purchase of a fair stock of Rye - I see it has risen much in New York as has barley - I fear we shall have to pay high prices for grain again this winter - You will buy a heavy stock on the best terms you can - Buy on your own book pay what you have a mind to and let others do the same - Take care that you do not send away to Binghamton to mark barley - Tell me how much barley you have bought - & making up your weekly Letters to me I wish you & Charlsmagne would from day to day make a memorandum of things you would write - in this way your Letters would have more variety - give me facts without much speculation - You mention you shall finish the [flame] in front of house. I suppose by this, the Circular fence - I had rather be at home when the front is built - prepare posts & stuff for it & Carpenter to begin about 1st June - I am glad Erastus obtained that Lot of battle in Jefferson - I think the Lot of battle must be fine - Erastus will not fail to have them insured - The promise to Geo Mix as he will remember was before his wood and then if extra will enough split to be worth it to pay him the odd 6d per cord if the wood is good length out of pine timber straight & well piled it ought to go toward the 6d.
Do not forget to pay our [premium] if insurance at Hartford. I can hardly give any directions about business at home it takes so long for Letter to pass - I am anxious one pork should be sold on getting to markett as I see it is your intention -
This is in fine health and very good spirits he is quite faithfull to the horses and indeed in all he has to do - I have him considerably corrected in his ill breeding and abrupt & sour manner - Hidler horse is getting some over his [illegible] turn - It is not probably I shall bring this horse home if I can get a better one -
Affecty yours Benben Tower
[4] P.S. Love to all the family -
I have rode Hidler home some lately in his pacing half trotting gait he carries me rather easier than [Joane] - I get tired of him in 2 or 3 days and am glad to get on [Joane] again.
Whenever you settle with Gaskin you will keep close to the contract [inserted: with him], which Erastus knows - Be careful to pay him for all we have had of him garden tools & seeds &c. And Inquire how much money he used for cabbage plants & other things which you will charge him for -
[docket]
Reuben Towers Letter
Nov 21. 1831.
[address leaf]
25
Mr. Julius Tower
Waterville
Oneida County
State of New york
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