Copies of Old Letters

"In addition to copies and facsimiles of letters given elsewhere in this genealogy, the following letters, copies of originals in the possession of various members of the family, have been selected for inclusion also because of their interesting and informative contents.

These letters cover a span of almost a century, and reveal some of the intimate details and thoughts of the writers, giving us an insight into their troubles, their sorrows, their pleasures, and their struggle for a livelihood that only such letters can give.  Written uninhibitedly, with no thought of course that they would be read by other than the intended recipients, they bring to us a clearer picture of the lives of these past generations.  One may often wonder in quiet moments, particularly as we grow older and have time for such meditations, just how our forebears lived and fared; these letters will in a measure satisfy such thoughts.

You will find them very enlightening and well worth reading."

Herbert W. Lacey, The Goodner Family Book, page 412

Following is a true copy of letter from Jacob Sherer to Benjamin Goodner, dated March 8^th, 1814.  Copied from the Scherrer Family Published by A. T. Scherer, 1909.  No. 1, Vol. 1.

North Carolina, Guilford County, March 8^th, 1814.

Dear Cousin,

Your letter from the 20^th of January last, I received the 13^th of February, and read it with much satisfaction.   We received Uncle David's letter at the same time and thank him for writing us.  Last Thursday we received a letter from Cousin David Goodner, dated January 2^nd, 1814, in which he informed us that he and his wife were well, also of the heartbreaking situation in which Uncle Godfrey was a short time before his departure out of this world.  In the three letters we read of Uncle Goodner's helpless situation, and are desirous to hear from him again as soon as feasible.  All of our relations here are enjoying reasonable health at present.  Uncle Frederick Smith and his family were sick almost all summer last, one after another, and sometimes two at once.  His third child and second daughter died.  She was about 16 years old.  I preached her funeral from these words: 'Therefore be ye also ready.’ Matt. 24:24.  The sickness was a fever.  Old Aunt Albert is yet alive and well as can be expected.  She lived at father's part of the winter of 1813 and lives at present with one of her daughters, in the Hawfields, if I mistake not.  Until the 14^th of May next I shall be married four years to Elizabeth Moser, daughter of Michael Moser, who has four or five brothers living in the western countries, some in Tennessee and the State of Ohio.  We have two children, the oldest we call Gideon and the youngest Leah.  Brother Andrew, who is the next oldest to me, was married before me to my wife's sister and has one child, called Elfin.  Brother Frederick, the third brother, married last to Barney Clapp's daughter, Margaret, and has three children, the oldest Nelly, the second, Sally, and the youngest is a boy not baptized yet.  Daniel, the fourth brother is single yet and lives with me the most of the time, endeavoring to get some qualifications for the ministry.  I have three sisters, all single; two namely, Barbara and Hannah, are grown; the other is small yet, namely, Nancy.  Brother John is the oldest boy father has with him now.  He begins to plow.  David is younger, and Eli is the youngest child.  We all have enough to eat and wear.  Taxes are getting very high.  All that father told me to write concerning Uncle Godfrey's property is that he wishes grandmother to be well taken care of, and that he wants you to write how she is in health, where she is, and whether she can see yet.  I am still trying to instruct my congregations out of the word of God, and to practice it myself, but find many difficulties in the way.  Many profess religion, but few, I fear, profess and practice it.  Many have made bold professions who have turned back and show that they have never had the root of the matter in them, but have been stony ground bearers.  Immorality and Luke warmness appears to be increasing, also dangerous errors.  Let us all examine ourselves whether we have been upon Christ, the only foundation, whether we have scriptural evidences of our conversion, and whether we see more and more of our sinful hearts and the excellence of Christ.  Remember us when you appear in your closets to beg God's blessings.  Write to me again as soon as you have read my letter.

NB  I have had a dispute with James Dick, postmaster on the Alamance, about your and Uncle David's letter.  He says they came in the mail and charged 50 cents for the two, but because they came in the short time of 19 days from the time they were started till the time they were at Mr. Dick's, and because there are none of your post offices mentioned where they were filed, and because the figure 25 on the outside was so plain and new, I believe they were brought by a traveler, therefore I want you to inform me how they were sent, and if not in the mail, who with.  I have told Mr. Dick that I would write you on the subject.  Therefore direct your next letter, Jacob Sherer, Orange County, Albright's PO, North Carolina.   I conclude with this request that you continue to write me by post and I'll do so too.  We all give our best compliments to you all.  The peace of God, the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be multiplied to you all.  Amen.

NB  Send this letter to all our relations.  To Benjamin Goodner, Fort Massack PO, Johnson County, Illinois Territory.  Marked Pine Hill, March 21^st, 1814.

Copy of Letter from Christian Scherer to Elizabeth Goodner, as given in Scherrer Family Genealogical Journal, by A. T. Scherer.  Vol. 1, No. 3.

State of Ohio, Preble County, April 17^th, 1822.

Dearly Beloved Friends:

We are once more blest with a happy opportunity of informing you that we are all in a reasonable state of health at present, for which we desire to be thankful, hoping these lines may find you all in the same state of health.  We wrote to you twelve months past, and in October last we sent a few lines requesting you to give us the best intelligence you could from David and John Scherer and David Taddend; Have never got any information from you nor them.

Mamma with myself have often to lament on account of your not writing us oftener.  Mother is yet alive and as well as could be expected, and wishes to be remembered to you all.  Jacob Sherer and family are well as far as I know.  August last I received a letter from Jacob Sherer in North Carolina.  Our friends are well at that time.  My sons are all single yet and live amongst the family.  I have a daughter born to me of my wife Sarah On the –––– day of June last.  We call her Hannah.   Through the Mercy of God we are blest with all the necessary blessings of life.  How thankful then we ought to be for this, and more especially for the blessings of the gospel which we enjoy from day to day.  Gloomy times we have on account of religion, and why this?  Part may be imputed to the hearers, but mostly to the preachers.  Many go with the Bible in one band and the war spirit in their hearts against their sister societies and brethren, holding up disciples or the works of man above the Bible.  The members drink in this spirit.  The preachers say our discipline is founded on the Bible, but when examined they are alterable, some in one year, some in two, some in four, as they may deem proper to govern their churches.  I ask, is the word of God alterable?  The answer to me is, No.  How, then, can these disciplines be founded on scripture when alterable.  No answer.  On these questions bishops and elders are silent or make some apology to us that answers no purpose.

As for my part, the Bible is my discipline.  Oft times I confess my shortcomings before my Lord.  Wishing to be in union with all Christian brethren and strive so to be.  Let us endeavor to live Dearer to the Lord, to love in deeds and not, with our tongues only.  The Lord enable me to cleanse the inner part and the outer part will cleanse of itself, saith the Lord.  Remember us in prayer.  I shall add no more, but remain your affectionate brother until death.

Christian Sheerer

Addressed: State of Illinois; St. Clair County, Belleville, PO

Business, in haste

NB  My wife and children wish to be remembered to all their inquiring friends and relations.  I would wish to be particularly remembered to Brothers Imen[1]* and Stooca and their families.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Amen.

Copy of Letter from Christian Shearer (Sharer) to Mrs. Elizabeth Goodner, dated June 21^st, 1825.  Taken from the Sherer Family A. T. Scherer.  Residence of Mrs. Goodner St. Clair County, Illinois.

Gratis Township, Preble County, Ohio June 20^th, AD, 1825.

Dear Sister and Brother–in–law:

After my best respects to you and yours, I inform you that my family is reasonable well.  My companion has been, a few days since, very unwell, but at the present is better.  And we live hoping these few lines may find you and yours enjoying good health, which is one of the greatest blessings that we can enjoy here below.  Old mother is now living with me, and has been the greater part of the time since she came up.  She is growing quite frail and needs attention.  Mother still enjoys her religion, and desired it mentioned, and very often finds herself happy in waiting on the Lord.  We wish to receive an answer from you as soon as convenient, and in it mother, and myself, would wish to know the progress made in your family in Divine life.  I still continue to warn sinners to flee the wrath to come by preaching to them whenever time and opportunity admits me.  My sons all remain single in life as yet, living with me.  Only last March two of them went to the Sate of Illinois.  Three of them own land on the Permelia about ten miles from the salt works, and I do expect them to return home in the fall and likely then to move to that country.  Three of my daughters are give in marriage, two of them already been informed of, and one is married to Benjamin Bell.  That is Lydia.  Mary, my oldest daughter, and her husband are living in the State of Illinois, where my sons are gone.  They are all trying to get land of their own in that country, and they will all move there as soon as they can get ready.  The Lord has blessed me and my wife with a female child, named Hannah, aged about 4 years the 14^th of this inst.  We have a plenty to satisfy the bodily requirements of us all.  Me and my wife have spent our days together in peace and harmony.  She is a good companion, a kind mother and an affectionate daughter–in–law to my mother.  Brother Jacob and his family as far as I know are well.  No deaths have taken place since you have bad information from us.  I –––––––– of the family.  I have sent three letters in this two years, and have not received an answer.  I want you to send us a letter and direct to Gratis Post office, Preble County, Ohio, which post office is within one mile of us I have been very much discouraged by your not writing to us.  If you have any knowledge of my sister and brothers mention it in your letter.  Nothing more but remembrance of my wife and mother to you and all inquiring friends.  The distance we are apart will not.  admit of our seeing each other any more probably in this life, but if we do not, let us, and may the all–wise Creator of the universe teach m all to live and act so that we may all in a latter day meet and hail each other in the peaceful mansions of glory there to be and remain with our blessed Lord and Savior in a world without end.  I subscribe myself your affectionate brother.

Christian Shearer

Conrad Goodner

(Forwarded by the politeness of John Chambers)

Copy of Letter from Christian Sharer to Elizabeth Goodner, Conrad Goodner, Benjamin Goodner.  Taken from the Scherer Family Genealogical Journal by A. T. Scherer.  Letter dated November 20^th, 1835.

Butler County, Ohio.  November 20^th, 1835.

Beloved Brother and Sister,

These lines are to inform you that we are in moderate health at present, thanks be to God for His mercy, in hopes that these lines may find you in the same state.  A short time ago received a letter from you dated August last.  In it your request made known to me, I have attended to the business, and have obtained all the testimony that is necessary to go to Germany – his birth, his baptism, and his recommendation from there, and his recommendations as a journeyman, and being master of his trade, but I have no hopes of anything ever being obtained by the reason that I have heard father say that after fifty years it could not be obtained, if the lawful heir did not come within that time that it would fall to the public.  I have talked with a man that has collected a great many Dutch claims for his German neighbors and he said it was too long, or if it could it would be a great deal of difficulty.  And the principal is but little, only fifty dollars, I heard father say in his lifetime.  I will send you all the papers.  If you are encouraged to go on, I shall be happy in mind if you get it.  I shall assign my right, title.  and claim to you, Elizabeth Goodner, of our father, Jacob Daniel Sharer, his claim of heir ship of his father, Nicholas Sharer.  This much from me, Christian Sharer, your brother.  Four days ago I left Brother Jacob; I took your letter to him that you sent to me.  He read your letter.  I told him what I would do, assign all over to you.  He did not say that he would or that he would not.  He gave me no satisfaction in that line.  He was well and his children and their families as far as he knew.  He lives with his son, Daniel, about 18 miles from here.  He broke up housekeeping about eight years ago, about two years after the dead! of his wife, Catherine.  If you have hopes of getting it send this, your power of attorney, for there are no more heirs to claim anything.  The postage will be high on these letters.  I would pay the postage but I fear the letter would miscarry.  I have sent letters to you, David Sharer and John Jordan till I am tired, and paid the postage and got no answer.  The last letter I got from you was about six years ago.  Write to me as soon as you get these papers.  If there is anything more that you want me to do for you in this case, you must write it.  I can't go to see you, or else I would.  I am a lone man on my farm (one short sentence lost by break in the paper).  My sons are all married off.  Two of them live 200 miles off in the Illinois state.  The other one lives 17 miles from me.  I am left to shift for myself as touching men's help.  The children that Nellie bore me are all married off.  The nearest lives nine miles off.  I have one daughter living with me that my wife, Sarah, bore me, and an orphan child, a niece.  And the last I heard of my children, that is married off, they were in moderate health.  I must inform you that I and my wife are striving to make our way to heaven although much tribulation which the Lord promised to his children.  I often feel the comfort of my lord to my soul.  I hope and that you are endeavoring to make your calling and election sure in the Lord.  Direct your letters, State of Ohio, Butler County, Somerville Post office.  Nothing more at present, but our best respects to you all, Conrad Goodner, Elizabeth Goodner and family.

Goodner and family from me,

Christian Sharer

Sarah Sharer.

The address on the above letter was:

Elizabeth Goodner or Benjamin Goodner, her son,

living in the State of Illinois, St.  Clair County, Belleville PO

Somerville, December 22^nd, $1.50 Postage.

Copy of Letter from Benjamin Goodner to his son, William J.  Goodner, while in California in 1849 in the Gold Fields.

St. Clair County, Illinois.  December 6^th, 1849.

Dear William,

Your letters to me of 30^th April and 3^rd of June came safe to hand which was the last item of news from you until last Thursday when your letter of the 3^rd of September arrived with its heart cheering contents.  I have the painful news to announce to you that your sister Sally Ann McCracken departed this life on the 25^th of June and that her infant son a few days old died a few days before her death.  Thomas made a sale forthwith and sold off all his property in the house as well as out of doors.  His land and horse excepted, and brought his children to my house on the 25^th of July to remain with me until next spring, and what will become of them after then God only knows.  Thomas has been to Arkansas and to the Mississippi State for his health, but did not stay long at either place; his health improved very much while traveling.  He is now in Washington county.

John worked at the brick mason trade for a few weeks but his health failed and he came home before harvest and has been here ever since in bad health.  He is supposed to be diseased in his liver – is better now.

Elijah is doing well on his farm in Washington County.  Cornelius and Daniel, with theirs, are doing well.  Your Uncle Godfrey Goodner, who lives in Moscow, West Tenn, had a son come to my house a few weeks ago to go to school in this country; he is at McKendre College and is a pretty shrewd boy in his 22^nd year with small means to educate himself.  His name is William Milton.

The cholera done an awful work in St.  Louis, Belleville and Centreville.  Those who died in Centreville 2^nd vicinity were chiefly foreigners.  Herman and wife were the nearest to me that died of Cholera.

We have had a bad crop year here.  Wheat nearly ruined with rust and the excessive rains which fell in torrents throughout the summer, cut the corn crops off to less than half of a fair average crop.  My corn is all in my largest crib and it is not full.  Jacob Holcomb is keeping bachelor's hall on your place, but it is said that his Mother will go and keep house for him soon and leave Jackson and John to manage the old place.  Jacob put in some new ground last spring, say 8 acres.  I understand that he has sown the farm down to wheat.

Mr. Gooding received a letter from Abram last Thursday.  Mr. Wilson had received one from his son but I have not heard of its contents.  There has no intelligence of the Monroe boys arrived yet that I know of.  Great anxiety prevails here of the thousands of emigrants getting safely through.

Benton Lacey is married to Miss McCully, and is living in Jefferson County.  William Agnew to Margaret Nixon, Alfred Crosby to Linda Bussell, James Sawyer to I know not who, and James J. Goodner to Miss Foster.  Your Uncle David Goodner of Alabama died November, 1848.

Write often to me and let us have the truth and the whole truth.  It is vexatious that I can't fill two pages to you and you fill'd seven to me.  All are well at Present.  My standing family is 13; pretty large.

Farewell William,

Benjamin Goodner

Copy of Letter from Cornelius Glass of St. Clair County, Illinois, to Abraham Gooding or William Goodner, 1850, while they were in Hangtown, California, during the Gold Rush Days.  Letter sent by T. C. Harrison.

Dear Friends,

After my best respects and my best wishes for you both, I will inform you that I take this opportunity of addressing you a few lines for information, as well as a desire to hear from you.

I suppose you will have heard of Truscott's death before this reaches you, but if you have not, I will inform you that he died on his passage home, I think on the 2^nd of December.  Two days out from Charges, on board the Steamship Alabama.  The Capt. of the vessel took possession of what little effects he left, but afterwards delivered them to Mr. William C. Davis, who brought them home.  They consisted of $115.00 in coin, about $180.00 in gold dust and two notes on yourselves.  We would be glad to know (if you can inform us) how much money he had when he left there.  If he worked any while there?  How long sick?  When taken?  How worked?  And how this gold dust was obtained by him?  And what disposition he made of his interest in the team?  And for what these notes were given?  All of which you will please write to me when you get this.  As I have to see to the administration of his estate, and to know which, it would be some satisfaction to his family who have sustained a great loss in his decease.

I might write you a long letter – but I suppose you will be tired reading letters, as you will get letters from so many of the friends.  When you get this, Mr. Thomas, Oglesby Harrison, or Gooding Harrison who carry this, or any of their company can tell the ravages of the cholera or the common occurrences that have taken place since you left, but leave that to be told by some of the many who are going to that country from here this spring if you should luckily see them.  Peter Moosekopp and four or five of the Siberts[1] are preparing to leave for the gold diggings this Spring.  The gold fever is carrying more off this season than it did last.  And the only reason that it does not take me off, I am so situated that I can't leave.

The accounts from there vary considerably now.  Some say the gold is exhausted and wages fallen and many there are anxious to get away but have not the means, whilst others represent the prospect as flattering as ever.  Some say it is a delightful climate, fertile soil, and every way a desirable place to reside, whilst others say it is sterile, rocky, barren, fruitless, unproductive, the climate horrible, and the least desirable of any place on earth.  I would be glad to hear what you have to say about these matters.  Do you think the country sickly or healthy? Does anyone there live by farming?  Is it stock country?  And how do people subsist there – and cattle and horses? Is there grain raised in the country or is it imported?  Or is all subsisted on the range?  The most of those who have returned don't speak very highly of the Country, but the most of them stayed so short a time there, they know but little about it.  Write to me and write a good description of the climate, seasons, country, and everything pertaining to the matters and things there.

All your friends are in good health so far as I know and getting along pretty much as usual.  And all wishing you health and success, at least such is the case with myself.  California has caused a stormy time in Congress this winter between the North & the South.  Our Union appears almost on the verge of dissolution.  And I can not tell you whether California will be admitted or not, or whether there will be a separation of the States – the Slave States forming one Confederacy and the free States another.  There will be a convention of the Southern States assembled at Nashville, Tenn. in June next.  What it will do is yet to be seen.  At present things look very squally.

But I must close.  forever remaining

Your Cousin and friend,

Cornelius Glass

Copy of Letter from Benjamin Goodner to his son, William J. in Hangtown, California.

Illinois, at home, March 31^st, 1850.

Dear William,

It is with some emotion of feeling that I sit down this Sabbath day to write to you.  This emotion is caused by the tidings which has reached me of your affliction in your almost solitary condition.  If I could indulge in the hope that you are surrounded with kind friends who possessed the means of nursing you I would feel contentment of mind but I hope for the best.

I wrote to you about the first of December, but as it appears to be very uncertain about letters reaching you from here, I think it best to write particulars again.  And first, your letters on leaving St. Jo and near Laramie and of the 3^rd Sept. and 19^th Dec.  have all been received, as also Abram's letter of 6^th Dec.  and newspaper came safe to hand.

Sally Ann McCracken departed this life on the 25^th of last June and Thomas put his children in my care where they remained till three weeks ago when he married Matilda Linch and took his children home.  Since his wife's death his health has become vastly better than it had formerly been.

John quit the brick business last June in consequence of bad health and he has been at my house ever since in poor health, but his health is better and he expects to live with Elijah this season.  Elijah and his family are well and well satisfied with their home.  John Holcomb's wife died a few weeks ago and he quit keeping house and is living with Harmon HoIcomb in Waterloo who has bought out Peter Rogers for eleven thousand dollars on credit.  John Agnew (who married Elizabeth Holcomb) and his wife are parted.  Joel Holcomb's son, John, met with an accident a few weeks ago, which caused his death; he and two young Morgans were hunting and they came on a deer when Jacob Morgan fired and while he was loading again, Andrew Morgan's gun fired and sent its contents through Holcomb's arm below the elbow without breaking a bone which proved fatal to him.  Jackson Holcomb is married to a Miss Kerr and is living on his fathers' old place, and Jacob is intending to live with him this season and his Mother and the three youngest children are living on your farm.  Jacob has put in cultivation half or more than half of the ground that he was to clear and has nearly all of the farm in wheat and has dug and walled a well which it is said affords plenty of good water.

James B. Moore told me two weeks ago that he received a letter from his son dated Sacramento, December 5^th, in which he stated he intended to start the next day to see you, but from your letter to Daniel Stookey, dated Dec. 19^th, which came to Millstadt last Thursday it appears that you did not see him at the time that he mentioned in his letter.  John Wilson writes to his people about once a month and the Monroe boys write more sparingly, but I believe that letters from California come here with a good deal of certainty.  while ours to you are apt to miscarry.  Well this is better than if the thing was reversed for you Californians can imagine your friends here comfortably situated, surrounded with friends and the comforts of life, while we may follow our friends in our imaginations to the wilds of California thousand of miles from civilized life, destitute of all the comforts of life with hard bread, bitter flour and salt pork, and in our imagination we say this is all the nourishment the sick have in California.  and worst of all no kind Mother or wife or sister to prepare it for them.  Hence you see the propriety of writing every three or four weeks to keep us constantly informed of your well being.

The cholera was severe in its visit to our part of the world; it confined its ravages mostly to the foreign part of our population.  Amongst your acquaintances who fell was Herlamann and his wife of the Germans and Stone and his wife and A. Mahan of the Irish, and old father Weible and James Sample and Isaac Mumau of the Americans.  Mariah Goodner was married not long ago to William Yost of Franklin Co.  William Agnew to Margaret Nixon and James Stanley to a young widow whose name I know not, and Benton Lacey to Miss McCully.

I would be glad to see you, but as you have been at great expense in getting to and supporting yourself in California, you would do the best in all probability to hold on and by your fortune a while longer before you return.  You will have heard long before this letter reaches you that Mr. Truscott died on his return home and Mr. Davis of Belleville who was with him brought his money and papers to Mr. Glass, amongst which was a note on you for $130.00.  It is not necessary for you and Abram to state how your Company matters stand till you return home.  If you should think proper to continue longer than till your note comes due to Sharp you can find some safe opportunity to send the money by some one of the Harrison connection or some other safe and trusty friend.  I expect to send this letter by the Harrison’s who expect to start for California in two days from this time, amongst whom are Hugh Harrison and the two oldest sons of James Harrison, William  McBride and Dr. Goheen.  There are several Germans about here who are going to California, amongst whom are some of the Sibets and a Mooscup and Fritz Herlamen.  Asa Parker also says he is going, of whom beware.

James J.  Goodner is married to Miss Foster – William Milton Goodner, a son of Brother Godfrey is a McKendrick's College; he is a sprightly young man of 22.  Your relations in this county has had good health generally since you left.  My health has been very good and my action has improved and I have been much abler to work than at any former period since my hard sickness.

Do not fail to write once a month or oftener, never mind postage.  Your letter of 3^rd Sept. came marked 40¢ postage Paid; yours to Daniel is 40¢ also.

Nathan Cox died one year ago and Jeremiah's daughter died about the time that you was at St. Jo, and old Mother Cox last October and Matthew Cox a few weeks ago of lung fever.

Your excellent stepmother continues her offices of kindness to me and mine.  Yours in love farewell.

For: W. J. Goodner            Benjamin Goodner

Copy of Letter to Benjamin Goodner, Millstadt, St. Clair County, Illinois, from his Son, William J.  Goodner, near Placerville, California, 1850.

April 14^th, AD, 1850.  Near Placerville, El Dorado County, California.

Dear Father,

I take my pen in hand to address you in which I will inform you that my health is good at present and hope these lines will find you enjoying the same good blessing.  My mess are well and the health in the county seems to be improving.  The weather is delightful, the rains have measurably abated and rural nature has again dressed the forests and landscape in their garb of green and unfolded to the pleasure and Support of the California hummingbird her amaranthine flowers.

Abram received a letter from his Aunt Fisher of Belleville a few days since which informed us of the death of Mr. Trescott.  It is the only intelligence we have had of him since he left us at Hangtown.  He was so debilitated when he left us that I was very doubtful whether he would live to get home; before his departure he proposed selling to Abram and me on a credit his part in all we had in partnership except our team and wagon which was the one – half; we being out of money, our team lost, and sick we concluded to comply with his proposal, and therefore gave him our notes drawing interest from date.  I asked him if we should find the team and sell it if we must send him his part of the money; says he, no, keep it until you come yourself.  We found the team, sold it and wagon and received the money for the same and Abram requests me to take in my possession Mr. Trescott's part which I did, and as he wanted me to keep it until I returned home I shall therefore not be particular about settling it unless I receive proper authority from his family or administrator until I do return.  Our partnership cow that we bought across the plain I believe is entirely a loss; we have not found nor heard anything of her since Mr. Trescott left us.

Enoch Moore and I are now partners in mining, and have been doing very well; we worked four days and a half last week and washed out 174 dollars within a short distance of our cabin.  We expect to leave here in a week or two is the weather continues dry and warm and go further up in the Mountains seeking better diggins and get in some rich canyon and work there until the water run down in the river and then go on to some river bar and there finish our fortune.  There has been a great many of the miners left this part and gone further up in the mountains but I have been told they have gone too early, that the snow and water are so in the way that they can do but little.  I have a much better opinion of the mines than I had when I last wrote to you; new diggins are constantly being discovered almost, and if there is gold here there certainly is further up in the mountains, and as the gold dust is washing constantly down the streams it looks reasonable that the fountain head is high Up in the mountains.

Political matters are taking a start here; there was an election held in this county on the first day of this month for the purpose of locating the County–seat or determining where it should be and to elect County officers.  The result of said election I am not in possession of, but the county–seat will be either at Placerville (Hangtown) or Coloma (Sutters Mills) 12 miles from Placerville.

I was over at Webertown on the last day of March about 4 miles from our cabin and heard a sermon preached which is the first preaching I have heard since last fall under a shade tree at Hangtown.  The preacher gave out that Mr. Owens would hold his quarterly meeting for this district at Coloma on the third Sunday of this month.

I have deposited in the hands of John P. Crantham the sum of four hundred dollars to carry to Belleville, Illinois, where he will leave it in the care of Thomas Harrison or some responsible person connected with his family.  Mr. Grantham is a nephew to Mr. Harrison and from what acquaintance I have had with him I judge him to be a very fine man.  He is religious and seems not to partake in any of the vices so common in this county.  He told me his family and home is in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa. , and that his father lives in Montgomery County, Illinois.  He gave me a receipt for the money and will take a receipt from the person whom he leaves the money with which will be good against the one he give me.  He carries money for six per cent, taking dust at 16 dollars to the Ounce and agrees to exchange it for coin at New Orleans or some other place where he can do the best.  If you get this letter you may be sure the money is at Belleville for I will send it by him also.  I want you to go and get the money and remunerate the person it is left with for their trouble and oblige your son.  I cannot tell you when I shall return home.  If my health continues good I will probably remain in the mines until the rainy season sets in next fall.  I think little about going to Oregon.  I have half an ounce of gold dust done up to send you in this letter, I must close.  Yours with respect.

To Benjamin Goodner            William J. Goodner

If you get the money I am sending I want you to 90 or send some person to see Mr. Sharp and know of him if he is willing to have the mortgage satisfied and square up paying him the interest due on the money I borrowed.  I think he will do it as he did not wish to let me have it for more than two years at the time I gave him the mortgage.  If he is ready for settlement I want you to attend to it and stop the interest and get the note in your possession.  There will likely be a little under or over four hundred dollars, it depending on what the dust is worth at the mint.  I think there will be plenty to satisfy all demands and pay you for your trouble excepting Mr. Trescott's accounts.  I am much better contented now than I have been since I have been in the mines and if John and Franklin was here I think we could make enough in two years to buy a good farm apiece and fix us to live comfortably for the means is here and labor will get it.  I must close.  Write.

Yours Truly,

To B. Goodner            William J. Goodner.

(The above letter contained small pockets made of chamois and wrapped in paper on which was written, "It is about a fair specimen of the dry diggins gold dust.  Father – I have done up a half an ounce of gold dust which you will please receive as a present.  I dug it near the cabin.  The largest piece is worth 90¢.)

Letter from G. W. Goodner to William J. Goodner, Sacramento, California, sent via New York.  Letter was folded, no envelope and no stamp.

May 26^th, 1850

St. Clair County, Illinois.  At Home.

Dear Brother,

I sit down this day to write you a few lines in which I will let you know that I received a letter from you on the 24^th inst.  Cornelius Gooding received a letter from Abram on the same day.  I will now proceed to let you know that we are all enjoying tolerable health.  Father wrote you a letter in December about the first I think; in this letter he wrote of the death of your sister Sally Ann McCracken who died in June last.  McCracken brought his children in here where they wintered.  In the fall he went down to Arkansas for his health.  It improved while he was traveling but when he stopped it got worse.  He came back and has taken cayenne pills.  Since that his health has improved, and he has gained flesh.  I think I heard him say that he weighs a few pounds more than he ever did.  He was teaching school all last winter in Richmond, and this spring was married to your cousin Matilda Linch.  He has moved back to his old place and is going on in the farming line rapidly.

Elijah lives out in Washington County about three miles from Richmond I think.  He has got a good farm out there and is doing well.  I wrote to you last spring while you were at St. Jo that John was living with T. Tarr alearning the brick mason trade.  He took sick in a few weeks and had to abandon the business.  His health has continued bad ever since.  He has put in a small crop of beans with Elijah this spring, but is in here now.  There is a young Mr. William M. Goodner (son of Godfrey Goodner) going to school at Lebanon, Illinois, now.  Mr. James Nimerick, Esq, and Phillip Crehere are building a flour mill in Centreville, Illinois.  Daniel and S. J. Stookey are agoing to run the saw mill this summer.

The cholera was very bad in St. Louis last summer and was tolerable bad in Belleville and Centreville.  It did not break out in this country much.  We have the finest looking wheat this spring I ever saw.  Wheat generally is a good deal better this spring than common.  We have 32 acres of wheat, about 30 of oats and about 24 of corn.  Corn, wheat and oats have been higher than half a dollar a bushel.  Wheat is a dollar a bushel.

There has been a few weddings since you left.  Mr. Jackson Holcomb was married to Miss Carr last winter.  Mr. John Glasgow to a Miss Tate.  Mr. Benton Lacey to a Miss McCrilly.  Also Ruth Henton to a Mr. Evens.  Mr. James B.  More received a letter from you last winter.  Daniel Stookey received a letter from you also.  And I heard a day or two ago that T. McCracken and E. Goodner received a letter from you a few weeks ago.  I forgot to mention that Father received a letter from you last fall giving a Journal of your trip.  Abram father received a letter from him at the same time.  There are a few emigrants going through this summer.  Father sent a letter to you by Oglesby Harrison.

I must close as I have nothing of importance to write.  Write every now and then and let us know how you are getting along.  Excuse all mistakes.

Yours affectionately,

George W. Goodner.

To William J. Goodner

My pen is bad, my ink is worst

My love from you shall never burst.            Postage – 40¢

There was a snow fell the 14^th of April 6 or 7 inches deep.

Letter to William Goodner, Sacramento, California, 1850, from Jacob B. Holcomb

Illinois, St.  Clair County, June the 16^th, 1850.

Dear Sir,

I received your letter yesterday and was happy to hear from you.  You say you have got your health again.  That is one of the greatest blessings on earth.  I moved to your house in September and kept batch alone for about three months.  At length mother got to tired of her old place and moved down with me.  I grubbed and moled away till I had nearly finished my job but when mother moved that left Jack and John in a bachelor's row.  Not long after this Jack tuck to himself a wife.

The three lived together on the old place for about one month.  About the first of February a son fell so John took his rifle and way to the grove in search of game.  At length fell in company with Jacob and Andy Morgan; the three came on deer; Jacob Morgan fired at the deer and John's gun snapped; the third was Andy having his gun under his arm; it fired and the ball passed thru John's left arm about two inches below the elbow.  He lay sick about two weeks and died.  He died the 15^th of February.  Mary Ann Holcomb is dead and Uncle John Hol. has broke up housekeeping.  You say you wanted to know about deaths.  The cholera raged here last summer and hundreds of men women and children died but not your connection or mine.  At Waterloo about 200 died, mostly Dutch and Irish, and at this time it is in St. Louis.

There has been a great many of our gals married and the rest of them wants to marry.  Jackson Holcomb married Becky Ann Carey: Marg'tt Nelson married William Agnue: Andy Nelson married Elizabeth Evermen.  Some not married yet, but the folks has it going through the neighborhood (naborhood) several times that I was married to Miss Marthy Nelson (above "Nelsons" may be Mixon) but it is all a mistake.  I now live on the old place.  I tuck in about 13 ackers of ground on your place and the rest of it I will have done this fall.  I think I will go to Californy.  John Goodner says that he is going to and if he does I will 9° too.  John Goodner is living in Washington County.  Your father got a letter from you the other day and the money that you sent it amounted to four hundred and 32 dollars.  I think before I ever many I will see Californy.  Nothing should happen me.

Our wheat crop is very good this year, but my wheat was not hardly worth cutting last year.  Last fall I dug a well on your place.  I had Jesse Stanly to dig.  We dug about 21 feet but the water came in so fast that we couldn't dig any further.

The water came in about a barrel a hour and we 'oled it up.  It is tolerable good water and plenty of it.  There is a new mill in Waterloo and old James Nimerick has put in a new mill in Centreville.

Everything is going on here about the same as it was when you left here.  Harvey Urmelvaney (McElvaney?) got back here some time ago but was unfortunate: he says had 25 hundred $ but was sold.  He was married last week to Miss Ann Rose.

There was a great many started to Californy last spring but I heard that they are coming back again on the count of gals are not been sufficient for them.

I want you to rite as soon as you cane The connection is all well at present and I hope these few lines may find you in joying the same good bleson.  Miss M. C. M. married M. H. is not married.  Look over my mistakes.  I remain your sincere friend til death.

Jacob B. Holcomb.

Joseph Benson Goodner and Benjamin Franklin Goodner, both sons of Reverend Benjamin Goodner, left St. Clair County in 1852, for California by way of boat to New Orleans, to Panama.  and thence to San Francisco, for the purpose, I suppose of taking up mining.  Benjamin Franklin took the Panama Fever and died shortly after reaching San Francisco.  The following letters I quote in their original spelling of the incidents of this trip.

New Orleans, Louisiana.  February 23^rd, 1852.

Dear Father,            (To Reverend Benjamin Goodner.  Millstadt, Illinois)

We left St. Louis February 10^th, the wind blowing us very bard, blew us against the Illinois shore.  There we remained until about the middle of the next day, then we started down again and about two hours before sun down we run on a sandbar; there we remained until about nine o'clock that night when a boat came down and pulled us off.  We arrived here the twentieth of February; there was about forty passengers on board for California, twenty of them was from Illinois.  We have secured our passage to Chagres on the steamship Empire City; she leaves on the twenty–fifth.  We take steerage passage; we pay thirty–five dollars a piece to Chagres.  The Empire is a very large ship and has the name of being a good and fast running ship; she runs to Havana and there we go on to Chagres on another ship.  There was four young men came down with us for California from Belleville, three of them are Germans; the other is a Mr. Nolen; he has gone back home.  He started with only two hundred dollars; he says it costs to much to get there.  We are boarding at Mrs.  Hunter's boarding house.  there is I think about twelve boarding here that came down with us for California.; all are from Illinois except two who are from Ma.  They all appear to be very fine honorable men; one of them is a young doctor from Pewlaska..  Logan County, Illinois, and is a cousin to Primm Lacey’s wife; and there is a man and with here for Cal who cam down with us from Logan Logan County, Illinois.  We all go on the same ship.  Our board is one dollar a day.  Its very warm here, about as warm as in May in Illinois.  We are in very good hearth at present.  Benson was sick for two or three days coming down, but is in very good health at present.

So no more but remains.  Yours truly.

To: B. Goodner:

B. F. Goodner

The second letter, addressed from Panama.

Panama.  March 14, 1852.

Dear Father,

We left New Orleans Feb. 25^th about eight o'clock in the morning and that evening about three o'clock the fog became so thick we anchored near the mouth of the Mississippi; there we styled about twenty four hours and started down and in one hour and a half we entered the gulf.

We arrived at Havana Feb. the 29^th a little after sun rise; we styled there until Wednesday the third of March.  We came to Havana on the steam ship Empire City with about four or five hundred passengers.  She comes from Havana to Chagres and carries all the passengers that comes from New Orleans and New York; the mails from New Orleans and New York meets at Havana at the same time and the Ohio brigs them to Chagres.  We were so Crowed on the Ohio that we got two meals a day and when we did get them they was not very good.  It took them all day and part of the night to get around with two meals, we always filled our pockets every time we went in.

We anchored at Chagres Monday evening about nine o'clock, March eight and next morning before day we went ashore.  I suppose there was about fifty went ashore at Chagres when the Captain ordered the boats off and wood not let any more go ashore there; he took them on to Navy Bay at the railroad and put them off there.  The rail road is finished for about twenty miles.  Navy Bay is about twelve miles from Chagres.  It cost us two dollars apiece from the ship to Chagres and from there to Gorgona five dollars.  We left Chagres about nine o'clock in the morning and arrived in Gorgona the next evening about three o'clock.  Them that came on the rail road it cost them four dollars and from there up to Gorgona it cost them from eight to twelve dollars.  The Captain is interested in the rail road.  that is the reason he did not want them to go ashore at Chagres.  We left Gorgona about one hour before sun down and came about six miles that evening; next morning about one o'clock we started again and arrive here about three o'clock in the evening.  We hired our carpet sacks carried across at six cents a pound.  that was something over one dollar and quarter apiece.

We have bought our tickets on a sail ship, there being no steamers but what is full.  the steamer Panama left here the evening of the twelfth with about five hundred and fifty passengers; the steamer Isthmus will leave this evening with about fur hundred and fifty.  The name of our ship is Sacramento some say she is a very good one and others say she is not.  She is advertised to leave on the twentieth and will not take more than two hundred passengers; there has been about one hundred and eighty five tickets sold on her.  There is two steamers expected in this week and will leave about the twenty–seventh.

We may sell out tickets and wait for a steamer as there is a great many here that has not got the dimes to go on a steamer.

Our tickets cost one hundred and thirty two dollars and a half apiece and on the steamers two hundred dollars.

We met with Thomas Morgan.  Thomas Sharp, and his brother younger than himself at New Orleans and we are together now and all agoing on the same ship.  We are boarding at about seventy five cents a day.  We are all in common health at present.  I have not been sick any yet.  Benson was sick a little but Daniel was nearly all the way across.  Excuse my mistakes so no more but remains your affectionate son,

B. F. Goodner

To: Benj. Goodner.

The third letter.

San Francisco, California.  April 16^th, 1852.

Dear Father:

I take my pen in hand this morning, to inform you of the death of Franklin; who left us yesterday morning about twenty–five minutes past five which was the 15th.  He was taken sick aboard the vessel, on or about the twenty–sixth of March; after leaving Panama with a dire.  He went to the Doctor of the vessel and go some medicine which stopped it on him.  When he took the fever, which lasted until he died, I think it was about two days after the dire was stopped when he went to a doctor Leads (who was on his way to California who lives in Hogan Co, Illinois, we got acquainted with him a going to New Orleans) who said that his liver was affected, who give him medicine to act upon his liver; he continued to doctor him until we got to this place j we got her on the sixth inst.  we first put up at the Atlantic Hotel, it being among the nearest hotels to the ship landing, where we remained until the ninth, when he still seemed to be no better.  So I concluded I would look for a better tavern, the one we was at being built out over the bay.  I then got a spring dray and moved him to the Montgomery House which was the evening of the ninth when he appeared to be better, having taken all the medicine that Leads had left him before he started up the country to Sacramento.  Next morning he got up and came down stairs and washed and looked much better.  We had some fears that he had what is called the Panama fever.  The Land Lord said we had better send for another doctor, and recommended Doctor Stackpole who has her about three years on this place.  He stopped in Panama six months when he was on his way her.  We sent for him about ten o'clock that morning who came and called it Panama fever, and left him medicine, but though it was doubtful whether he get well, he came in the evening to see him and said he was doing well enough and thought him doing well enough until the evening of the 14th when saw a change for the worse.  He visited him next morning when he give up all hopes.  He was in his right mind most all the time, sometime after waking up out of a sleep when he had been dreaming he would talk out of his right mind.  He seemed to suffer no pain, ask him how he felt he say tolerable well.  The evening before his death I sent for Mr. Taylor a Methodist Missionary who came and saw him; his remains was laid in the city grave yard about four o'clock P.M.  I am in a bad state feeling to write.  I have requested a Christian friend to write to you who will give you more satisfaction than I can.  So I must stop writing.  I am going to start to Sacramento this evening on my way to the mines, write as soon as you get this letter.  I will write soon.  I am well, So no more but remains your affectionate son,

To: B.  Goodner             Joseph B.  Goodner

Note; the penmanship and general appearance of the above letter indicated that the writer must have been under much mental stress and grief.

San Francisco, April 16^th, 1852.

Mr. Benjamin Goodner  Dear Sir,

I am under the painful necessity of sending you a flew lines that I was called on by you son Benjamin F. Goodner a few hours before his death he seemed to express a wish to have a flew lines wrote to you.

D. Gregg

San Francisco, April the 14^th, 1852

Dear Father,

I am very low at present and not expected to get well.  I am in the hands of very good treatment.  I hope to meet you all in heaven.  I want you to take the things that I have at home and distribute them among my brothers and sisters.  My cloths and Carpet Sack I give them to Benson.  My cloth coat give that to George.  I give what money I have hear after my expenses is paid to Benson to use if he needs it and pay it to you when he goes home.  This is written according to my instructions.

Copy of Letter from George Earle to Benjamin Goodner of St. Clair County, Illinois, in Regard to the Death of His Son, Benjamin Franklin Goodner, 1852.

San Francisco, April 16^th, 1852.

Benjamin Goodner, Esq.

Dear Sir:

I have been requested to perform a most painful duty.  I was a passenger in bound the same Steamer from Panama to this City with your two sons.  A few days after we left Panama Benjamin Franklin was taken ill which terminated in the Panama Fever, and yesterday morning about half past 5 o'clock he passed from this to a better world.  He had an experienced physician to attend him, and everything was done for him that could be done in any land, but his time had come, and be must depart.  He died at the Montgomery House where I am stopping.  Wednesday afternoon the 14^th, I called in to see him I found him a very sick man.  I thought he could live but a short time, and felt it my duty to warn him of his danger.  He took my words very kindly and calmly.  He expressed a willingness to die and a hope that he should meet us all in Heaven.  We sent for a Methodist Clergyman who came and conversed and prayed with him, and sang a hymn to him.  Benjamin was in full possession of his reason, and gave good evidence of an humble hope in the Merrits and Blood of a crucified Savior.  He died without a struggle, and we have no doubt he is now in the Bosom of his Savior, and that your loss will be his gain, and may God in his goodness sanctify this bereavement to you.  Spiritual and everlasting good.  Your Sons remains received a respectable interment last evening at 4 o'clock.

Respectfully and truly,

Yours,

Geo. Earle

Letter to William J. Goodner, Millstadt, Illinois, 1852.

Adams County, Illinois, May the 7^th, 1852.

Dear brother,

I take the present opportunity of informing you that we are all well at present and hoping these lines may find you enjoying the same blessing.  We have had a very cold winter here past and gone and here comes spring with all its bloom deay (?).  The weather is fine and warm; the people is plowing, hoeing sowing and planting: the prospect for the next crop is good.  The prices of produce is low and everything is plenty.  We have planted some corn and next week I calculate to finish.  I will have 11 acres of corn to tend and the old women and children to take care of, and that will keep one hand busy.  I want you to read this to my brothers and sister and tell them that I have written one letter to them and have not herd anything from them.  I want you to tell them to rite to me.  They said they would come out soon as the spring opened but I have not seen them yet.  The country here is fin.  I have the pleasure of plowing good land here.  I would advise you to sell them poor broken stony pints and come out where the land is good.  We have meeting every Sunday and we have school here in one half mile.  Melvinie Goading is teaching school here.  Your folks are all well as fare as I now.  I have not time to write much at present.

You must excuse mistakes.

William Holcomb and Co.

Copy of Letter from Reverend Benjamin Goodner to his son, Joseph Benson Goodner, while he was in California (Sacramento) in the days of the Gold Rush.

Illinois, St. Clair County, October 10^th, 1852.

Dear Benson,

These lines are to inform you of things that have taken place since I last wrote you which was on the 26^th of May, the receipt of which you acknowledged in your letter to me under date of 18^th July.  I regret that I have not written you oftener, but I will try to mend in this respect.

And first I have the mournful intelligence to communicate of the death of Margaret C. Ryan which took place on the 14^th of August at 7 o'clock PM.  She had been confined to her bed from the time I wrote you before up to her death.  Her disease was consumption.  She left us good evidence of her enchanging mortality, for immortality and eternal life.  Matthew Roach has left the shores of time.

William is still living in Centreville but is now out of business in consequence of J. N. Nimreck's mill burning down a few nights ago; it is believed that the mill was burnt by some spiteful person.  The Esquire was greatly in debt, but it is said that the mill was insured for $9000.00, which will probably meet his dues.  It is thought that he will build again as he has the offer of all the funds that he will need to enable him to rebuild.  He owes me the rest of 60 dollars and to John the rise of 90, and to Mr. Gregg for all of his crop of wheat.

I had 374½ bushels of wheat on the Ryan farm and 340 at home.  After all expenses was paid on the Ryan wheat, half the remainder fell to Franklin's estate which was 78 dollars and 30 I allowed for his colt which makes 108 dollars, which gives you 12 dollars as your part of said estate, which I will keep subject to your order.

In your letter to me of the 9^th of May which came in due time, you say that expenses while at San Francisco were about eighty–five dollars, and that you had 105 dollars left after paying Franklin's expenses which you will pay me when you get able.  Now if you should be successful in making money, and you and Daniel each paid your own expenses out of your own money while detained at San Francisco (for I know not whether each paid his own expenses or whether the expenses was paid out of Franklin's Money) I want you to deduct from the 105 dollars your cash expense while detained at San Francisco with Franklin; and if you succeed well in getting money I want you to do the same by Daniel.  Observe I do not want you to payout one cent to Daniel if it will hinder you in your business or prevent you from getting home, but justice seems to say that these expenses should be paid out of Franklin's money as he has no further use for it.

And I want to know something about Franklin's grave, whether there is a register kept of the graves, and if the graveyard is permanently located, and if his grave can at all times be found, and whether it might be possible for you to procure suitable tombstones and have them set up at his grave with something like the following inscription, – Benjamin F. Goodner, born in Illinois, June 25^th, 1829.  Died April 15^th, 1852.  You can give me such answers to the above questions as you may be able to collect.  and tell me something about Franklin's fare with regard to food, drink, air, and lodging, while on the steamer.  I have thought that you and Daniel kept dark on the subject of your sufferings on the vessel lest the truth should give us needless pain, but I think by this time we are prepared for the worst.  Just let me say that about the middle of April I dreamed I saw you at some sixty yards distance coming home bearing all the marks of a heart broken person; at the distance of say 30 yards I concluded it could not be you, you looked so grief stricken, but when you came near I saw that it was you.  I asked you where Franklin was, – you said he had passed on up to Robert Leard's country; you gave me no intimation that he would ever return and the thought struck me that I should never see him again, and here the dream ended.  I have no doubt but what I had in this dream your real state of feelings presented to my mind at the time.

We have heard nothing from Mr. Sharp's boys since they were at Panama, their father thinks they are lost.  Your letter to George of 27^th June came safe to hand, also one from Marion to John was received in bad condition, having been exposed to water, also two of Daniel's letters, his second to W. Coon and one to his Father bearing date August 8^th had both received a wetting.

Corn crops are not first rate; oats were very good.  We have sown the field by the house in wheat which looks fine, and five acres on the west side of the large field has not yet come up.  I suppose that George told you in his letter to you dated August 1^st, directed to Georgetown, that Charles Gooding and myself bought a large machine for cutting wheat which done good business.  The sorrel horse that I got from John for Sam is a first rate work horse in plow or wagon and rides well and George has now rode him to Union to a singing, but he is too headstrong.  Joe Stanly is married to a Miss Ogle, and Jim Wilson the coal digger to Miss Barbara Stookey, and Jeremiah Cox to Mrs. Holcomb.  Tom Tar's wife is dead.  Thompson Agnew has worked for me 2 months, is a good hand but has now left.

Elijah has another son.  We have been looking for him and his family on a visit for two weeks but they have not come yet.  The Central Railroad runs through his farm.  Cornelius Gooding and his boys still have their home at his brother's.

Mary Jane is with us, all in good health.  Caroline 's health has been slender up to this time.  John done but little in cutting wheat except hauling water; he has not been quite so able for work this fall as he was last spring, but I think he is slowly improving.  George had three or four days of sickness in August but soon got stout again.  Myself with the balance of my family have had good health since you left us.  Try, Benson, at all hazards to maintain a good moral character; take the advice that I gave you in my other letter.  Come home if you cannot make money there.  You have ample time to write to us.  Let us hear from you often, tell us about your cousins, the Jackson’s, and give my best respects to them.  Daniel's friends are all well.  I requested Sam Chandler to say in his letter to Major hook that in writing to you I would direct to Caloma but as you still say to direct to Sacramento I will direct there until you order otherwise.  A newspaper came to me from California some time ago, and the fellow that sent it has my thanks, be him who he may.

I am looking for a letter from you.  Write every four weeks and let Daniel write in two weeks after you, and mention each other in your letters, and by that arrangement we can hear from you every two weeks.

I will close my letter by Subscribing myself your real friend and affectionate father.

To: J. B. Goodner            Benjamin Goodner

Sacramento City, Calif.

(Note by author: The two Jackson boys, Marion and Daniel, mentioned in the letter, are cousins through the boy's father and the mother of Joseph.  From the tone of the above letter it would appear that the father of Daniel lived close by.  The only Jackson family residing in St. Clair County in 1850 which would qualify was the one of Joel Jackson and wife, Elly, ages 41 and 35 respectively, shown in the 1850 census of St. Clair County, qv.)

Letter to William J. Goodner, Esq, Payson, Adams County, Illinois, from his father.

At Home, September 28^th, 1853.

Dear William,

Your letter of 21^st August was received in due time and read with pleasure.  I was gratified to hear of your prosperous journey and of your improving health.  George and Martha got home last night from a visit to Washington County.  Our friends are a good deal sick with chill and fever, and scarlet fever is amongst the children in that county.  Elijah has been sick with chills but had go about again.  Mary and one of the children had the ague when George was there.  The health of the people in this region is better than in other neighborhoods around, but there has been some ague through this settlement.  My own family and friends have thus far had good health.

I am getting along very slowly with my building.  The lumber and other materials are mostly on the ground and cellar dug, but workmen cannot be had short of two weeks.  The army worm has been in our farms through here and the farmers have been afraid to sow their wheat up to this time.  We threshed our wheat two weeks ago and had 511 bushels.  I must wait for candle light.

Your money that Mr. Todd owed is in my possession and all in gold.  J. N. Nimrick and his Brother has bought Ozel's mill and both have moved to it and are hard at work.  He has not paid any of his debts that I know of except to those who bought property at his sale.  He paid them as far as their sale bills went.  I bought a cart and harness at $19.50 and Aaron Stookey, Sen. bought a cart and harness at $30.00 and I took Stookey's note due in nine months and gave Nimrick credit for $49.50 which left not more than ten or twelve dollars behind; he has paid none to John but I think he intends to pay his debts as soon as he cane I have not thought it worth while to go and see him for you, as I had no hope that I would get the money.  If you come down after your money he may possibly pay you.  Berry Todd has not left your old place yet, or had not a week ago.  Noah Miner has paid $400.00 on it and is wanting possession.  I received a line from A. Crosby last mail informing me that he had your obligation for possession on the first of this month and that if Todd did not soon leave he would have to sue for damages to save himself, but I had been to see Miner before I got Crosby's letter and I think the matter will be settled without further trouble.

A letter from D. Gregg to his father dated Aug. 9^th stated that they got through the rock with their tunnel but had not got pay for their labor, but had not tested the matter fully at that time.  Benson and Daniel had been doing well in a claim that Benson was superintending but Benson thought it was nearly worked out as it had not paid so well the last week.  Their health was good.  You have heard before this time that Elijah Cox has sold out and has moved to Hancock County.  D. Stookey has a contract to furnish 100,000 feet of plank for the Urbana plankroad.  Lewis Holt got his leg broke last Friday by helping to load a saw log.  James Robinson, Esq's wife died a few days ago.

Corn crops are first rate.  The Columbia and Centreville mills are paying 80 cents for wheat at this time.  If you cannot come down.  write in receipt of this.

My love to you and yours,

Benjamin Goodner

For W. J. Goodner

Copy of Letter from Reverend Benjamin Goodner, St. Clair County, Illinois, to his son, William J. Goodner, Payson, Adams County, Illinois, 1857.

At home, Jan. 15^th, 1859.

Dear William.

These lines will inform you that I have not forgotten you, although I have not written to you for some time.  I have not heard from you for some months.  I have been blest with excellent heath since I last wrote to you.  I have had a hired man with me for two or three years till the 18^th December when my boy left me with a promise to return in two weeks, but he has not returned.  He lives at Richview.  I have managed my business so as to raise considerable of wheat and corn enough to do me.  My crop of wheat die last year was 504 bushels, and last fall I sowed 20 acres and John sowed 11 and about 14 is sown by two other men but the winter is so cold and dry that the wheat appears to be badly injured.

John has had so much affliction in his family that he is kept behind with his creditors.  He and his family came on a visit last August and he wanted to sow some wheat to help pay his debts and I let him have 11 acres as already named.  His little boy had the dropsy when they came and he appeared to mend under Dr. Romen's treatment while here, but he took violently bad while on the road home and they were compelled to stop in Washington four weeks where a doctor bill of $20.00 was run up on them.  John said in his last letter that he thought his son might possibly get well.  John borrowed $400.00 with me as security to pay for his land, and in three months from that time I paid back $200.00 of the borrowed money and took John's note for the same with a mortgage on 120 acres of land as security.  John's prospects being so poor to make money he thought that he must sell 40 acres of land to enable him to pay his debts out there and come back and rent land to raise wheat on to pay his debts.  I wrote to him that I would take his 40 acres and give him up his note a and mortgage and pay $100 of the borrowed money to Mr. Gregg which would leave him $100 in debt to John Lacey.  I had paid $45 interest on his notes which also I gave him and to pay for rails and pay a man to haul them with his team to fence the broke ground, that is on the 40 acres and let him till the land free of charge.  He has three 40 acres lying in a row – his house on the outside forty and his field on the other which I bought.  His field is enclosed with another man's rails in part.  I could not see any other way that I could get along with him.  I have paid all excepting the fencing of the ground and have fifty or sixty dollars on hand and about 300 bushels of wheat in the grannery.

January 16^th – A letter from Elijah dated December 12^th said that his son Gilaspie accidentally got the point of a knife stuck in his knee on the first day of November and had not walked any since.

T. McCracken has sold his place for $1200.00 and bought land adjoining his wife's farm near the old camp ground.

George brought Salinda home in November and returned in a few days.  A letter of November 2^nd from Benson stated that he was still at work for J. West and would continue with him till the rains would drive them out of the river and then he would look out for winter business somewhere else.  Said that he thought he would come home in Mayor June if he could collect his money.

West was between two and three hundred dollars behind with him.  His address is Strawberry Valley, Yuba County.

Write to me and say when you will visit us with your family.  We had a light fall of snow on the last day of December which was repeated in a day or so as to be over about one inch deep which is still on the ground and has been some help to our wheat.

In conclusion I have 4 head of horses, 11 head of cattle, 27 head of sheep, 21 head of hogs and not less than 160 chickens.  Your Aunt Jane is still with us.  All well.  Farewell,

B. Goodner.

January 17^th:  The snow is falling this morning finely, say 3 inches deep at 9 o'clock.

B. G.

Letter to William J. Goodner, Payson, Illinois, from his father, 1860.

At Home, Feb'y. 28^th / ‘60.

Dear William

Some time ago I received a very satisfactory letter from you for which I have my thanks.  If I could guide my pen as I once could I would write oftener, but I have to write slow and a small hand, otherwise I cannot govern my pen at all.  I have had excellent health for the last twelve months and so has my family.  Salinda started two weeks ago on the cars to see her friend in Washington County and will be gone some three weeks yet.  Benson's last date was September.  He thought that in two months more he could get his claim opened, and if his claim failed to remunerate, he would quit mining.  John and his family have had fair health since they have been here.  They are living in the old loom house.  It has a new shingle roof and sealed overhead.  Elijah writes that he is square with the world out there.  His youngest is their first daughter.  We have had a very pleasant fall except a severe snow storm and bitter cold weather for a few days about the 12^th of November, but on the first of December winter came on us in earnest – rain, sleet and snow in quick succession to the depth of say four inches, almost solid ice which lay until January, and notwithstanding the extreme cold I thought that our wheat was secure under the great sheet of ice, but it was not the case for our wheat is full one half killed in this region and perhaps more.  Wheat last year was rather a light crop, com was good, oats light.  I have corn to do me and over 100 bushels of wheat yet to sell to my hands and our family expenses.

George has so far been unfortunate at farming, and I fear that he will not be able soon to pay his debts as he owes some $500, the most of it to Salinda and me.

I suppose that you have heard that Daniel Gregg and his Father both died last Sumner, and also James Jones, Mrs. Gregg's half brother.  Write soon.  Give my love to your family and bring them down and see us.

No more.

Benj. Goodner.

PS  A half sheet well filled is better than a whole sheet half full.

B. G.

Letter to Benjamin Goodner from his son, Benson, 1860.

Cascade City, May 3^rd, ‘60.

Dear Father,

As I have neglected to answer your letter of Nov. 1^st.  I will try and write you a few lines, hoping when they reach you that they will find you all in the land of the living.

My health has been very good since I last wrote.

Your letter brought some very interesting, but mournful news: among the rest was recorded the death of my old friend and companion Daniel Gregg.  I think among the many letters that I have received from you the last had about as little good news as any of your letters, and I have about come to the conclusion that I am doing as well as a majority of your children; a making a living and that is about all that I can brag of at present. I am getting along rather slow with my claim, found some ground in the start that did not pay.  That was the first ground that we wash, after getting our cut finished, and ground that we had not prospected.  The reason that we worked it is because it lay between our cut and the creek.  I supposed it would pay something but I hardly think we will come in contact with any more ground but will pay something.  All the money that we have taken out is $375. The most of that we made in the last two weeks, but I cannot tell you how well the claim will pay.  There was not much mow fell last winter as the winter before but the snow came very early and lay on the ground until spring. We get the news from St. Louis to Sacramento and San Francisco in nine days by the pony express which has been successful so far in making the trip, and I suppose that when Bates gets to be president that we will soon have a railroad.  I claim Mr. Bates as my first choice for that office and somewhat of a Union man at that, as well as a Republican.

I should like very well to pay you a visit sometime this year, but I do not see any chance to get off at present.  There are times when passage is very cheap and it would cost not more than $75 to take me home, but I think that I will hardly do anything else until I leave the mines for good. I had been looking for a letter from Salinda for the last three months, but looked in vain.

I have given you a poor idea of my claim, but as good as I could do until I see into it a little more myself. I promised but little in the start so I am through.

Write or cause some one else to write, and oblige, your son,

Benson.

Copy of Letter from Reverend Benjamin Goodner to his son, William J. Goodner, Payson, Adams County, Illinois, 1861.

At Home.  January 6^th, 1861

Dear William,

I have for some months wanted to write to you but my hand trembles so bad that at times I cannot write at all.  We have had poor crops of wheat and corn down here.  North of here in this County corn is good.  It will be with care that I can live on what I raised.  Times are very dull.

Salinda was married to John H. Lacey, Nov. 20^th.  They are living in Centreville and he is a clerk in a store and bids fair to live very fast.  They’re in a rented house and have some $140.00 including fine carpets to furnish it.  His father wants him to take charge of the farm and live on it but he is not willing to do so.

We have had pretty good health for the last 2 years, as I have no more local news of importance to write I will fill my sheet with extracts from a letter which I received from Benson.

“Pinkards Creek, Oct. 22^nd, '60.  Dear Father – As I have not written to any of you for a long time I will now take the opportunity sending you a few lines and hope some one or all of you will be so kind as to send me some in return for I have had no news from home since I received Salinda's letter of last spring.  When I last wrote to you I stated that we had taken out but little dust from our claim (this was last May) we were at that time about $1500.00 in debt which is now paid, we have taken out the rise of $2000.00 since we commenced washing and expect to take out three or four hundred more in a day or two.  The mining laws of Pinkards Creek allows each miner to hold 200 feet in width or from bank to bank running 300 feet along the bed of the Creek that being the amount of ground which constitutes a mining claim.  There are four of us in the Co. and we hold seven claims four by preemption and three by purchase which is equivalent to 200 feet with and running twenty one hundred feet along the bed of the creek, and if you was to ask me how much gold there was in the claims and how long it will take to get it out I would tell you that there was not less than twenty–five thousand dollars and how much more I could give but a vague idea.  And I suppose that four men could not work the claims short of six years, and perhaps not as soon as that. So you will see that I figure our labor down to about four dollars per day to the hand, but it pays better than that while washing.  The claims are covered over with a heavy forest of large timber and under brush and it requires about as much time to get rid of the timber as what it does to wash the dirt.  I do not know of any claims in this district that I would exchange mine for.  Therefore you will come to the conclusion that I am located in a very poor district or else mining is getting to be a very poor business.  It is my opinion that this section of the mines are rather below par; and I do not believe that there are more than one miner in twenty–five that is making more than a living and but poor prospects of doing any better.  the merchant at Strawberry Valley (that we traffic with) said that he did not know of any one that had done as well this season as what we have done.  So you see that I am as well off as most of my neighbors.  I would like to know what the chances are to sell my land on short notice and if they are not very good perhaps it would be as well for you to hold the land for sale for I have no idea of settling on it and if I should I believe that I would always regret it, knowing as much as I do now of the Pacific States.  I have been trying to fix upon some time in the next six months but I cannot hit upon any plan as yet, and I cannot say that I will meet with an opportunity unless I sell my claim and there the chances are against me, in finding a ready purchaser and get what the claim is worth.  If it were not for some improvements that we expect to make next spring I could make my arrangements so as to leave my claim.  You must not look for me until you see me acoming, and do what you think best in regard to the land for the present, and should you not sell and I do not come home soon, I will try and send some money.

The Republicans of California have some hopes of carrying the state for Old Abe Lincoln.  Anyhow let the impending crises rest upon whom it may.  I am for honest Old Abe.

The PO at Cascade is closed so you will please to direct to Strawberry Valley, Yuba.  Since I commenced this letter we have taken out four hundred and thirty eight dollars.  It seems that all my old correspondents have quit me, and for what reason I cannot say whether it is my poor miserable letters or they consider me past redemption.  Tell them that I have one in California, a country where there is land for the landless and a home for the homeless.

Remember me to all of my old friends and neighbors.  Write soon and you will oblige.

Your son.  Benson.

You will see that I employed another person to write for me.  Mr. Slade a school teacher is boarding with us and he finished copying Benson's letter.  which was so interesting that I concluded to give you the whole of it.  There is no sale for the land now.  I believe his California correspondent is Milton Moore's daughter, for in one of his letters he spoke of his receiving a letter from her, and in another of his private correspondent telling him that there was something to be made by farming.

Write soon, and now accept my best wishes for you and yours.

For W. J. Goodner            Benjamin Goodner

(In Benjamin's handwriting in this letter, the penmanship was small and very shaky.)

Copy of Letter from George Washington Goodner to William J. Goodner, 1861, both sons of Reverend Benjamin Goodner of St.  Clair County, Illinois.

Postmarked Decatur, Illinois.            Macon County, Illinois.  March the 28^th, 1861.

Dear Brother,