Cedar Rapids
February 16, 1849
 Dear
Parents Brother & Sisters and all to whom these presence may concern,
I J. H. Kelsey of the Town of Cedar Rapids County of Marion State
of Iowa of the first part to the above named individuals of the second
part doth Send greeting and sayth that I of the first part am enjoying
good first rate and ever to be thankful for the enjoyment of Life
Health Liberty and the freedom of Speech and the Press and hope that
the above named Parties of the first part are enjoying the Same blessing.
You seem according to your letter to be under a great mistake concerning
that land you think part is across the river and would not be convenient
to get at and therefore came to the conclusion that it is best not
to buy it. But it is all on one side of the river and is highly necessary
in order to make a good farm. To have it, and it can be sold any time
for as much again as we have to give for it.
I have drawn a map of the Farm as near as I can with a description
of the same and by buying the Fraction of 65 acres we can keep the
30 odd and nothing will be said about it as it is so small a person
looking on the Map will overlook it.
I think by measurement in the 65-acre lot there are 75 acres or more
as the fractions are always underrated in the general survey. They
want to make the rivers as large as possible and by that means all
the fractions are larger than they are named on the map, which I think
looks very reasonable. You will see by the map that is herein enclosed
that it is highly necessary it should be added to the present farm.
There is not timber enough on the farm to support it if we intend
to make it a homestead. And I am so much afraid that some one else
will enter it away from us that I hardly know what to do some times.
If we do not get the timber land the first man that I can trade it
to will get it as I consider that the most valuable part of the farm
as timber is very scarce here and every body is anxious to get some
timber land.
You wished to know which is the best cheapest and quickest way to
come to this place. I cannot tell at present. I have written to a
friend in Dubuque to find out and let me know. As soon as he does
I will send you word.
You wish to know about the markets here and a great many other things.
I have given you a correct statement in a former letter but whether
you have even received it or not I cannot say and for fear you have
not I will give you another. I am 75 miles from Dubuque, 60 from Bloomington,
23 from Iowa City (the Capital), and 5 from the county seat that is
to be moved to this place. The Railroad is to go through this place….
…I have received my card from the lodges and so had green. I
should like to go to California this spring as the best men we have
in this part of the country are going. All those that wish to go say
now is the time and all that wish to embark in the Gold Expeditions
now is the time. Next spring may be everlastingly too late and if
you hear of my being there you must not be surprised.
I wish you would answer that letter that I last wrote. I said all
in that letter that I thought necessary On that map the 80 and two
fortys are entered and all we need to make a good farm is the odd
65 acres.
John H. Kelsey
* This letter
has been edited slightly to make it more readable for 21st century
readers. The challenges of transcribing a 19th century handwritten
letter include changes in spelling, punctuation and usage.
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