Seth Kenney to Lyman Crafts

This is a letter from Seth Kenney in Minnesota to his cousin Lyman Crafts in Whately.  He writes to tell of the death of his father and includes interesting information about other family members and about his cane syrup business.  Seth was born 22 February 1836 in Massachusetts, the son of Stephen and Sophronia (Alexander) Kenney.  He died 24 May 1917 in Morristown, Minnesota.  Lyman Crafts, the cousin to whom the letter is addressed, is the son of his mother's sister.  That sister, Lucy Alexander, married Walter Crafts of Whately and Lyman was their eldest child, born in October 1854.


Morristown, Rice County, Minnesota

Oct 11th 1897

Dear Cousin Lyman Crafts,

I write you to tell you my father Stephen W. Kenney died at 1/2 past 6 in the morning of 22nd Sept 1897 aged almost 84 years.  He had a cancer in the stomach and had been ailing for one year but was not real sick till 6 or 7 weeks before his death.  Before he died he expressed a hope that he should meet us on the other shore.  We miss him so much at the same time do not wish him back.  He was a great sufferer till in the last 2 weeks we kep him with morphine that reduced his sufferings very much.  He was very grateful to us in helping to ease him as much as possible.  Mother is very feeble and it would seem she cannot long remain behind.  At the present time Uncle Elias Alexander is dangerously sick with an infection of bowells and we have no hope of his recovery.  My own health is not the best but I carry on quite an extensive business but will have to stop sometime.  Am now working up the sugar cane with 14 [?] expenses $30 per day.  I have some money ahead probably enough to pay all bills.  We grind 50 tons cane a day, it takes considerable help to do it.  Sold 9000 gals last season.  Write when you can.

Are your prices on tobacco satisfactory?  Since the Cuban Rebellion I thought it might help you.  How is Uncle Walter?  Can he work any?

A letter from she that use to be Sylvia Alexander, her husband died in Middleboro Mass a few years since she since married a man and lived in Rockport Mass but now lives in Middleboro Mass.

How old are your children and their names one by one?  Our friends leave us but I think there is something better beyond and look for a glorious "Reunion beyond".  The though is sweet "not lost but gone before".  I have had this same faith 47 years and it has been my "anchor".  My mother and one of my sons has the same father brighter as the end grows nearer.  Such a meeting I love to think of it.

Your cousin Seth

I hope you have the same faith to carry you through.

Notes on the letter:  This is an original held by the Whately Historical Society.  It is handwritten on both sides of a sheet of letterhead paper, 8.5 x 11, faintly lined.  There is no envelope.  The printed portion of the letterhead is complex as is seen in the photo heading this post.  There is a large stain that goes through both sides but does not obscure the writing.  Insignificant changes have been made for clarity.