From Lebbeus Jenkins to Capt. Rufus Smith

Williamsburgh Nov th 20 1830

Honoured Sir

I take this method to declare the great regards and affection I have for your amiable daughter whom has in possession those qualities that adorn the female mind and render the connubial state pleasant and happy.  I would in the mean time Sir through the medium of these few poor written lines solicit your consent and approbation. and that of your good Lady to be a relative to your worthy family worthy fam  family by her means.  When this Sir you receive and it be your pleasure to honour me with your daughters hand in marriage and favour me with an answer it will be ever esteemed as a particular favour and acknowledged with sincere gratitude.

By your obedient and humble servant

Lebbeus Jenkins

Notes on the letter:  It was written on one sheet and folded with an address in lieu of an envelope.  It was addressed to Capt. Rufus Smith Whately.  Lebbeus never names the daughter in question and it sounds like this is a letter copied from a pattern book.

Rufus Smith had 13 children, six of whom were girls; the last two a set of twins.  There is no record that any of them married Lebbeus and, sadly, Lebbeus himself died 13 February 1832 in Cummington aged 31 years old.  His probate record is in Hampshire County and has recently been filmed by LDS. To his brother he left a bit of land, a horse and a gold watch.  There is no mention of a wife.

The Smith family lived on Grass Hill Road in Whately, a road which runs to the left off the Whately Williamsburg Road (heading to Williamsburg).  This road is now abandoned although clearly discernible and passable on foot.

I have found no record of the parents of Lebbeus.  He may have been the son of Southworth and Eunice (Williams) Jenkins who were in Williamsburg in 1830 but a list of their children on Find A Grave does not include Lebbeus.

This letter belongs to and is in the collections of the Whately Historical Society, catalogued as 1998.025.001.