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Note: BIO:This is a letter written to Dr. William Shaw of Waterford, Saratoga Co.,New York by his nephew, William Edward Teall, son of Horace Valentine Teall. The typewritten copy was made by Libby Silver Stager. The Alonzo refered to in the letter would be Julia Ann's son. Rhinbeck May 18th, 1850 Dear Uncle, Although I have been intending to write to you for a considerable time, and Should have done it, but for my natural dread of writing letters. Myself and the rest of the family have had the greatest anxiety to hear from you ever since we came to Duchess [long "s" in this letter] Co. We are all well excepting Eliza. She ahs been a little unwell yesterday and to-day. Father has a rich church in this town and is handsomely supported. The business in which he engaged has met with an almost prefect failure owing probably to the glutted market for stove. The family moved to this place last Nov. and live about five miles E. of the Rhinbeck village, and have a verry delightful situation. The house is verry commodious and elegant. We have an orchard of about 50 apple trees----all grafted fruit, a dozen or more fine plum trees, and peaches and cherries in abundance, also a pasture lot of good size, a fine garden with currant quince and other bushes. A barn to suit withal. Father keeps a good horse and carriage plenty of good hens and a cow. Rent 30 dollars. According to our latest intelligence, Alonzo and Julia Ann, they are doing well. Francis is teaching school in the vicinity of Catskill. Eliza and Polly are living at home. I board at the village and go to school at the Academy. I shall either commence the study of Physics or enter Colleg next year, but prefer the latter. Francis or myself could enter the Sophomore class at that time. Mother's health is as good or better than I have ever known it to be before. As we live but a few miles from Grandfather Shaw's old place, She has had an opportunity of visiting it and conversing with her old friends and relations. One of the Johns Shaw that grandfather brought up lives about two miles from here. He has 5, 6 or 7 boys, all good witted, and although poor, lives quite comfortably. We have almost given up hopes of seeing Aunt Ann or You, but if hopes or wishes were of any effect you would soon visit Dutchess Co., which I do not doubt would be verry agreeable to you. But if you cannot leave there yourself, I suppose that Aunt Ann and Wm might come, and tell her we should be verry glad to have her come. Give our love to all the family Wm. E. Teall To Mary Shaw [same letter] If you see any of Uncl folks tell them we should be verry to see them If you can tell us when you will come we will be at the landing with the wagon to fetch you up. Orcelia, Francis and Caroline would make a verry agreeable tour by coming down the river to this place, and probably a verry pleasant visit. We wish you to write us immediately about yourself and family if you cannot write us a sheetful, fix the amount according to circumstances and write what you can. Do not fail. Wm. E. Teall William went off to the gold fields of California and disappeared there sometime after writing this letter. Mokelumne Hill July 23, 1853 Dear Brother, Yours of June 13 came to me by the last mail, in which you inform me that you have received the draft for $100. Every no. I receive of your paper gives me an increasing good opinion of your talents and capabililty as an Editor. It is surely one of the very best country papers that I have ever seen, and must necessarily supercede your rival in public favor. I want to give you my views in regard to future plans. According to present indications I hope to be able to assist you and other members of our family, so that we may once more be reunited and live somewhere in pleasant proximity to each other. You must be aware that there is a strong tendency to consumption existing in our family, and having lived so long myself in this hot climate, of course I could not live a twelve months in your northern climate. Now we ought to migrate to Southern Illinois or some other more genial climate, where in addition to the inducements in regard to health there are better chances for expansion and a few thousands would make us all comfortable. I do not want to raise your anticipations too much, but you are capable and well fitted to work out a higher Destiny than that of being merly an Editor of a small country newspaper. And if money is sufficient I think I can supply a sufficient amt. Now you say you are increasing in popularity to which i can not doubt. In case you buy out your rival, who you say has recently come into possession (and therefore the more easily worsted) it does not insure you against any new project of the same kind. And you might find it necessary to buy out two or three more, in order to have clear field. Now take it easy until I come home, and improve your powers without too much anxiety, live well, and take your comfort. If your income will not be sufficient, I will send the Deficiency, gladly, willingly. Let me assure you this is good counsel, and if you understand me, you will think so too. I wrote a communication about the fifteenth and shall write another tonight or before the mail leaves if possible. They may both reach you at once, in which case, lay one over for a week or two, and alter dates if necessary. You are letting your mind wear out your physical powers. Now reflect on what I have written and implied. You are thin, pale, and anxious, A Strong tee-totaller - Physical power, and that only will develop the mental to advantage. My reflective organs are large, and I observe "what I notice" Ale and porter have saved me from the grave. You must take three tumblers of "porter ____" every day, and change to alle, when tired of the other. I am no nearer being a Drunkard than when I took the first drop. You are living for your self and family, do not fear the remarks of fools. Take vigorous exercise two or three hours in a day, rowing a boat is excellent, rolling the bowls on a bowling alley is better than Physic. If you can roll with gentlemen do so by all means. You see I am very prosy. Well, my head is ten years older than it was once. Prudence is necessary I find, "Don't rise only to fall," Mother used to say. You are coming up. I have got pretty well up for me. Don't let's fall. Take my advice and we will manage it right. My love to all, truly yours Wm. E. Teall The piece of Poetry in your No. of 13th May entitled "Children" strikes my fancy after having read it over half a dozen times, as being pretty good, please ask Orcelia who wrote it, and let me know.
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