0364----1861 Studebaker sisters letter -- Bethel Township Miami County Ohio

Description

0364----1861 Studebaker sisters letter -- Bethel Township Miami County Ohio
0364----1861 Studebaker sisters letter -- Bethel Township Miami County Ohio
Original 1861 letter from the Studebaker Sisters of Bethel Township, Miami County Ohio.
Writing to a cousin "Elizabeth Smith" in Indiana.  Elizabeth, Lydia, and Sara Studebaker have signed.
The girls were the daughters of  well known and prominent farmer Samuel Studebaker.
The cover is addressed to "Jacob Smith", presumably the father of Elizabeth Smith.
The original stamp is attached with a Hyattsville Ohio cancel.
The sisters speak of going to school, visitation of relatives, etc.
At this time the girls would have been 14-16 years old.
It it clear they are still learning to write and spell.  There are several spelling mistakes.
Also, the words at the beginning of each line are all capitalized.
The letter is 2 pages and in VG condition with natural mailing folds.
Also, please review some research items I uncovered, such as the 1860 census, the obit of father Samuel Studebaker, and a much later group photo of all the Studebaker children.
These are
NOT
included with the sale of the letter.
SORRY, ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
I have transcribed below.
Estimating that I was able to make out about 95% of the letter.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR A SUPER SIZED VIEW.
December the 1, 1861
Dear cousin
I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you.
To let you (k)now that we are all well at this time and the (neighbors) and friends as far as we (k)now.  And I hope these few lines may find you all well.  And now I will let you (k)now that we got your letter and we was very glad to hear that you got home safe and we are all very sorry to hear that Artemas did not go home if he did not want to go home I wish he (would) have stayed here for he was very good (company) while he was here.   And now I will let you (k)now that Uncle Joseph ??? was in here.  If you would have stayed a few days longer you might have seen them you started on Tuesday and they came in on Friday.
And now I soon shall come to a (close) but at first I will let you (k)now that we are (all) going to school for we must learn to write and read a little (better).  For we (made) a good many mistakes in writing this.  I don’t know (whether) you can read it or not.  But I want you to write us a letter every (once) in a (while).  For we can read your writing very well and we will try to do the same so no more at present but our best respect to you.
Elizabeth Studebaker
Lydia Studebaker
Sarah Studebaker
To Elizabeth Smith
(Cover)
To Jacob Smith
(Carroll) County
Deer Creek
Indiana
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