Dear Louis:

Your letter with enclosure came yesterday. Thank you.

In regard to your question, I have never been able to find any record of the marriage of John & Ann Ewbank but the family tradition says he was 40 years old, and in order to fit in with known facts if he was the full 40 years of age it must have been between June and October, 1792, and their ten children born in the next 13 or less than 14 years. Aunt Rhoda was born after her father came to America.

It has been 20 years that people have been diligently inquiring about the stone that was over the church door. John Smith says was built into the stone wall that it was built by the road in 1880. Some other Smiths say not. I think if there was any certainty about it that it would be dug out. Most folks agreed that it said "M.E. Church 1821" and that it was taken down when the split between the churches came and it was no longer M.E. The stove disappeared when the church was remodeled in 1880 and I have an impression it was taken to Press Jolly’s and sold for iron. I am not able to find anyone to tell for sure about the legend on the side of my recollection is that it was made in Cincinnati and on the sides and eagle bearing a banner in his mouth on which floated

Free Trade Sailors Rights.

That is my recollection. I think the bird held a bunch of arrows in his claws. I do not remember the date but had a confused idea of 1814 and that was bought at a reduction by either or both Uncle Thomas Ewbank or Uncle Willie Smith on account of the legend has it was "out of style" and money very scarce.

Was Mr. Knapp the shoemaker the teacher? I think not. Ezekiel Knapp was the shoemaker – a lame man who organized the first Masonic Lodge and held the meetings upstairs in his house and the door with the place to give passwords &c was there so long as the house stood. The chimney is still standing with the fireplace upstairs showing.

Mr. E. M. Knapp was a highly educated man and came to Cambridge and taught school. I think – am sure – that Mother and Aunt Nancy said he was no regulation to the other Knapps. Mother used to have a ticket like this

Miss Betsy Blasdel

is a good girl

date 1841 E.M. Knapp

teacher.

I am unable to find it but it was printed with a pen dipped in indigo and Mother always kept it. I am not clear as to month and day.

Sunday we were at Asa Smiths. They all say that school was held at the Old Stone schoolhouse built by the neighborhood prior to the time it was held in the church and that the church was used and the schoolhouse fell into decay, I think from encroachment of the creek, and that the time 1847 - October 22 - when the meeting was held to arrange for school in the church marked the end of school and the old schoolhouse and that Uncle Willie taught from 1840 in the schoolhouse and the year 1847-1848 in the church and in 1849-1850 Sibley taught in the church. Aunt Rachel Smith went to schoolhouse but not to the church & was married Jan. 1849. [Note: She actually married George L. Taylor in 1860.] I think that is not exactly as you have it.

Elizabeth has written three times in the three days about Mary. She was very sick a week, then broke out with measles. Nina was still well last Saturday; Mary began to improve.

I spent Monday at Ama’s trying to help her sew. Tuesday I went to Jim’s and took Vina down on the train. They are well, and Jim very busy and says business is good. It is fine to hear of some place that is good. Lou was here all day Thursday and seemed to be all right. She has her dress but I do not know just what it is.

Loebo went to town on Monday and got clover and timothy seed &c. He will ship this cow tomorrow. Also one old sow.

Arthur Smith came from Ohio for a visit. He was in the train last night. Today is Leonard Harper’s birthday and they are having a birthday dinner.

Arthur Davis paid his rent yesterday and I enclose the check.

John Curtis loaned his auto Monday for old Mr. Henry’s funeral. One of the sons & family went in it and on the way the car turned over. Everyone was injured but not very seriously, but on the car, the top wind-shield and one wheel were completely wrecked.

Costello Curtis is roaming with Ephriam Lazenby at Akron, Ohio, and they are at work on a 12% reduction in wages.

We had a letter from Em Christley. She says business is dead out there and lots of sheep & cattle men are going broke. She is keeping4 borders and 2 more to dinner every evening. Dell is in college.

John Lazenby wrote Hattie that in Washington so many were delinquent in taxes that many banks could not cash warrants for salary and wanted to know in case his bank quit cashing them he could borrow money either of them or the bank or get warrants or his personal note. Money is more plentiful in Dearborn County and elsewhere. Amos Liddle sold his place less than a year ago at $6,000 and it sold again the other day at $8,000 and Jim says the banks are loaning money on new business. Speculation was not so bad here. The tobacco market reopened yesterday morning from 1¢ to 60 per pound. Some folks who raised nothing but tobacco were facing a serious time. A good many went to Aurora yesterday.

Belle Skeen wrote that Jim Skeen was regaining his health after being run into by a machine and having broken ribs.

Mr. Dawson told me last evening that Gladys was home on a visit. She lives in Washington, D.C. Perhaps her husband lost his job.

I think I have told you most that will interest you. The church trustees are to meet here some afternoon this week. Don’t know just when.

Yours, Nellie