LETTER FROM JOHN KINZER
TO
SAMUEL LINN (UNCLE)
DATED SEPT. 28, 1849

Dear Uncle

                    Your letter of August 17^th came duly to have and afforded me much satisfaction to know that you & yours were still enjoying measurably good health.  I thought of answering your letter immediately but from the _____ of business I have deferred it until the present moment.  By way of explanation I will merely state my situation in relation to business matters.  In the first place I am carrying on my farm in connection with merchandising.
      Jasper & myself have the settlement of Fathers Estate on hand which will continue on hand for five years from the decease of Mother, and last tho’ not least my brotherinlaw John Stoner who is married to my eldest sister Elizabeth, from the effects of paralysis has become unable in both mind and body to attend to his estate, consequently the property has been taken out of his hands and I was appointed Trustee by the High Court of Chancery of the State of Maryland, thus throwing an Estate of some $50,000 in to my hands to take charge of and superintend, which makes me no small amount of care and trouble.
      In connection with my feeble state of health requires all and more than all my energies I  ______.   This I hope will be a sufficient apology for not having answered your letter sooner.  With _____ to your inquiries respecting(?) Henry he is still living in Indiana at Rome Perry county, and follows Store Boating on the Ohio & Mississippi Rivers.  He started down the river about the 20^th of this month taking with him all his family, which now consists only of his wife & daughter, the rest of his children five in number are all married.  He is doing very well at his business, his last trip net him clear profit of $900.
      Sally’s health is not good but is able to superintend(?) her (?business).  Sister Catharine & her family in Senaka (Seneca) County Ohio.  Same all well & doing well a short time since.  Unkle Alexander Slaymaker is living with one of his sons in Sendka(Seneca) County Ohio.  All his sons I believe live in that county.  Unkle (sic) John Slaymaker was confined last winter the greater part of the time to his bed with rheumatism.  No account from him recently.  Alex Buffington is living within one mile of my place, they are all well.
     We have had the driest summer here that the oldest citizens know anything of, corn not half crop, potatoes still worse, our wheat crop reasonably good, oats short.  Flour in the Balti (Baltimore) market worth about $5.12 ½  cts., corn 60 cts.
     Having this given you about all the news that might be interesting to you I will _____ hoping to hear from you soon again as it always affords me pleasure to hear from any friends even if I do not know them personally.

              Accept of my best wishes for your continued health and prosperity.

                                                                                                        John Kinzer

Letter was addressed to:  Samuel Linn Esqr.
                                        Hillsboro
                                        Highland Co Ohio

Return address:  John Kinzer
Johnsville MD
Sep 29^th, 1849

This letter was transcribed by Larry Kinzer on Feb. 5, 2007 in Bradenton, FL.  The copy of the original letter was acquired through the Lancaster County Historical Society.  The letter is part of the Samuel Slaymaker II, White Chimneys Collection, MG-268 Series 2, Box 7.