Written by George Simpson Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mrs. Margaret Simpson Huntingdon, Penna
Buffaloe Seminary, August 23, 1819
Dear gran ma
I now with pleasure set down with my pen in my hand to write to you that I am well and hope you and the family are the same. I have gone down the river about 37 miles to school to Mr. Camel. I shall try to go down next spring. I and my playmates go out in the evening a guning after school. We let out at 4 o’clock. I am going to quit the last of September. Tell John to answer this letter. Answer it as quick as possible.
Direct your letter
Mr. George S. Anshutz
Care of the Rev. H. Camel
Buffaloe Seminary
Brook County, Virginia
I remain
Your affectionate nefue
George Simpson Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, Febuary 1st 1825
Dear Sir
I received a letter from aunt Catharine about the middle of last month informing me that aunt Anna had been very sick but I am very glad to hear that she has recovered. I suppose you don’t think worth while spending your time in writing to us telling how things goes or how you are. For my part I can never get time only in the evening and then I feel more like sleep than anything else, the shop being full of men until 9 o’clock. I suppose Uncle Rahm has told you that I am leaving the hatting bufinefs. I suppose you have heard of our succefs in boring for salt from Uncle Rahm but since he has been there the water has got four times as strong and they are now putting up another pan. He sells the salt so fast now that the country people will carry it away hot out of the grainers at 75˘ per bushel. We all join in sending our love and best respects to you as well as Aunt Pattons family. I wish you would rite and let us know how you all are. I wish you give my best respects to Mr and Mfs Johnston, H. McConnelle, and all my old acquaintances wile
I remain your friend, etc.
Geo. S. Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, June 30th 1845
Dear Uncle
It is my painful duty to inform you that Edmund died in Louisville on Monday last. It appears he took cold – which settled in his hips (probably the diseased one which caused inflammation and then mortification. He could not have suffered long or we would have heard of his being sick. Oliver who now lives in Cincinnati had heard a few days before that he was sick. Sent word for him to come up to his house but the next word was that he was dead. He could not have been confined but a few days. Oliver started down immediately but would not see him. Edmund had many acquaintances in that place and no doubt had every attention. Yet he had none of his relatives with him. Revd. Mr. Bryan, Eliza Rahms husband was in Louisville but did not get there until he was dead. He would attend to his funeral.
It is hard times with us all. Pa lost everything he had but what was on his back at the fire on the 10th of April and was badly burned himself. He now lives about a mile from town. I did not lose much but am at present obliged to put up with the third story of a house on Market Street. The only of our connections that escaped was Linford.
I intended to have gone to see you all this summer but cannot do so now as I must look out for something to make a living. At present I am like yourself keeping batchelors Hall. My wife has been in the country for some days. I should like to hear from you occasionally. Give my respects to all our friends.
Respectfully yours
Geo. S. Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, August 12, 1850
Dear Uncle
I had the notice signed as decided and sent it back to you. Not having heard from you since I do not know if you recd it. I wish you would write and let me know if you recd it and what the appraisal is and if you wish to have the property sold or divided. I will have to sell my interest although it will be a trifle and Oliver and Margaretta I think will do the same. I was in hopes I would have been down before this but cannot now say if I can go at all. Margaretta sometimes talks of going. I would like to see you all. I think you might contrive and come out and see the changes that have taken place. Oliver has not been here since I wrote you. All well here but myself – my health is not good. It may be but a temporary debility. I wish you would write immediately and I may be able to carry out my intention of going down. I have some little matters to arrange and if satisfactory I will go. Uncle Christ saw Aunt Annie when he was down but I suppose you have seen her since.
Respectfully yours,
George Simpson Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, March 25th 1851
Dear Uncle
I received your letter announcing Uncle James death in due time but I have been unwell myself or I should have written sooner.
I was a good deal astonished at hearing it. He was a man I thought would have lived to a good old age from the regular life he led – Tis truly said “In midst of life we are in death”. I think he had no reason to fear death. He was a good man. You will miss him among you very much – it will make a void that will not soon be forgotten.
Our people here are all well. Pa enjoys good health but is failing very fast. He is quite feeble. The family are in easy circumstances. Margaretta is keeping house as she was when she was down to see you. Oliver lives in Cincinnati. He is engineering on the River. For myself I find it difficult to get along. My means are too limited to make anything. The manufacture of hats is done here – in fact two journeymen can make all that is made here. They are all bought from the east cheaper than they can be made here so it requires money instead of labour to carry on the business. I now occupy a good stand and could do well if I were able to stock it better. I would do better clerking if my hearing was good. It is just bad enough to prevent me from getting a salaried situation so I am obliged to do business for myself of some kind. Uncle Christ gave me just enough to get me into trouble. I was in hopes to have seen you all this spring but I was not able to go east. I should like very much to see you all. Write often. Give my love to all.
Affectionately yours
Geo S Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, June 21st 1851
Dear Uncle
Inclosed you will find the writ signed. I was in hopes you would have made it your home and have let it remain as it was but as it is to be sold I hope it is by mutual consent among you – I should like very much to see you out here. Uncle Christ has gone to Sunburry. He intends going up Shavers Creek to fish on his way. He will perhaps be in your place. If I can I will go down in August. Times have been so dull this Spring I do not know that I can. Pa is well as we all are. Margaretta is here keeping house. Oliver’s family is still at Cincinnati. If you possibly can come out and see us. If not write again. Give our respects to all our friends.
Yours Geo. S. Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, Jany 28th 1852
Dear Uncle
I received your favor of 17th and inclose you a power of Attorney to act for me. I do not know where Oliver is at this time. The boat is frozen up somewhere below but will write to him. Margaretta not being in want of hers will take her time.
The reason why I am so anxious for mine is I have been out of buissniss since Oct and have some money to pay in a few days. In fact I can hardly get enough for my expenses there is no such thing as collecting. I have been appointed City Assessor but can do nothing April. – So I wish you to send me what you can get if you can get any of that which is not yet due by allowing a discount do so. – He I suppose will pay you my interest in the three hundred Dolls immediately. If so send it and all you can.
We have nothing new here the public attention is all taken up with Kollutly (?) There is no buissiness doing. We are completely blocked up with ice. If I can I willcome down in march but I cannot say positive yet. Margaretta will probably go down in the Summer if her boy recovers. Your immediate attention to this will much
Oblige yours
Geo. S. Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, Feby 18th 1852
Dear Uncle
Margaretta received her Aunt Africa’s letter enclosing a release and my power of Attorney. They are now duly signed and enclosed.
Mr. Africa says the administrator will pay one half and that the estate is worth a little over $3000. I thought from your last letter it was more however that is no matter as we will all get what we are entitled to.
Margaretta send no Power of Attorney as she intends to go down in May herself. I thought of going this week but after Africa’s letter I found it would be too heavy a out of all I could get (100). I thought if I was there I might possibly realize all my share by selling the claim for what remains after the first payment.
As the power I have given you are full you can do so by allowing a liberal discount in any way you can. I am in great need at this time is the reason I am so anxious. Send on the first payment as soon as you can. The Others are in no hurry. I hear Oliver is in Cincinnati but have not heard from him. Charley is still improving. Pa is about as he was – still walking about but absent minded. There is considerable bustle about the river in shipping goods but no buissiness doing for want of money. There are a great many people arriving by the river but they serve us as they do you mostly pass through. If you find there will be any delay in sending me anything write and let me know.
Yours
Geo S Anshutz
(Additional written on side of letter)
“Deduct what postage I have cost you and charge for collecting and any other charge you may put to.”
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
***MCA note: no address but undoubtedly to John Simpson***
Pittsburgh, Feby 28th 1852
Dear Uncle
Yours enclosing One Hundred and seventeen dollars came safe to hand and already paid out – One hundred more would have put me through but if other will soon be paid (say first part of April) I can make out. If not I will try to dispose of it to Margaretta but even she will require what you call a rough share more perhaps than a stranger. Her boys health is improving. Pa is about every day but very absent in mind he talks of things past years ago as if but yesterday. Alfred is out of the Confectionary and has bought Margaretta’s interest in the Coal Land for $10,000. One thousand in hand – interest yearly on the balance and sixteen years to pay it in when her son will be of age. His mother owned 20 acres. Edmund’s interest which Pa made over to her which will make it all 84 acres. So she has all now which will go to her own children. If I am not engaged after I get through Assessing which will be about the first of June I will go down to see you all. Nothing new here no buissiness doing for want of money. I think it will be a trying time this year among buissinefs men. Write soon or if you are not busy you might come out. I am told the fare will be lowered next week.
When you write again give me the directions how to address Aunt Annie I wish to write to her to make some inquiry about some persons that lives somewhere in that neighborhood.
Yours Geo. S. Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
*** DEC note: MCA has this letter addressed to James Simpson, however, I understood that he died sometime before. If there is another James Simpson that George would likely be writing to upon these matters, I hope some of you who are more knowledgeable about this branch than I can correct me. This seems much like the other letters that GSA was sending to John Simpson.***
Pittsburgh, April 21st 1852
Dear Uncle
I see by the papers a letter advertised for Oliver I suppose he neglected to acknowledge the receipt of his money. I intended to have told him to do so but he left for home before I was aware of it.
He intends to move his family up this week. I was in hopes to have received some myself. I have not sold thinking I can hold out but the last has gone today.
I commence the duties of my office – but suppose there will be no pay untill I finish which will be in July.
There is nothing new here. The high water is the principle topic at present. It was within three feet of ’32 flood it has caused considerable destruction and loss of lumber and the people having to move from about the Point and lower part of Allegheny. Some raftsmen saved themselves by climbing up the peers when the rafts stuck. There is but little buissiness doing this spring for want of money no heavy failures as yet.
Charley L. is still improving the rest all well – I hope to hear from you next week as I suppose there will be a divident when Africa pays. If so write and let me know.
Yours respty
Geo Anshutz
Letter from George Simpson ANSHUTZ to Mr. John Simpson, Huntingdon
*** DEC note: MCA has this letter addressed to James Simpson, however, I understood that he died sometime before. If there is another James Simpson that George would likely be writing to upon these matters, I hope some of you who are more knowledgeable about this branch than I can correct me. This seems much like the other letters that GSA was sending to John Simpson.***
Pittsburgh, July 10th 1852
Dear Uncle
The releases to you and Africa are signed and will be mailed this evening. You will deduct for postage and for your trouble and any other expense you may have incurred for Oliver & myself the balance send by mail as soon as you can. Money is very scarce here and has been for the last year with the exception of the forwarding there has been but little done and at this time nothing. The Iron men have lost considerable 2/3 of the Furnaces are in the hands of the Sheriffs.
If I had got through with my assessments I would have gone down to see you but I will not get through for a month yet the Commisfioners are so slow.
I had just returned from mailing my last letter to you when I heard from Margaretta you met with in the loss of your wife and yourself and family all sick.
Tell Mag her things will be sent on Monday Evening and that Squire Steele and Alfred stopped at the door a few moments ago. The Squire made very particular inquiries concerning her health and how long she would be away, etc., etc., When she comes Alfred wishes her to bring some of that Buttermilk of her Churning and that he calls his boy Edmund Pa I think is still getting more feeble. Oliver will probably Ar…le(?) here for a while in his undertaking. When I am through with my present job I will be on the market.
Margaretta states in her letter that the payment on the Ridgeland is not due until next spring. I understood you last summer it was due last April however if you can sell my claim to anything that is not to be paid at present I wish you would do so by allowing some discount as it bears Interest it will be a good investment and safe say a discount of two percent and the interest 6 – I think Margaretta should take it. It will pay her more than she gets for her money here and it is safe. Oliver wishes you to sell his also on the same terms. When you write let us know what remains unpaid and if you can sell it.
We have nothing new here the weather has been extremely hot for the last three days. This evening we had a small sprinkle of rain but not enough to lat the dust – All well—
The rail road is now in operatation to Greensburg which leaves but ten miles staging. The passage will soon be made between this and your place in daylight when I hope some of you will get out to see us.
Respectfully yours,
Geo. S. Anshutz