Early New England Maltby Family Archive of Letters

Offered are three letters, two dated 1831 and 1832 (third undated) to and from family members:

May 9, 1831, New York, Ellsworth Maltby to his brother Lucius, New Haven, CT, 2 pp, 10” x 8”: “Your favor was handed me on Saturday afternoon, had you been present in the office, I would have got it in due time. Am pleased to hear that you are a little better. I had a conversation with Daniel Hule (listed as a lieutenant from New York in the Revolutionary War). I told him I thought you would not attend to his instructions. He wished me to write you saying that you must follow his directions in every respect…He is now in N.H. in his return on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. He would advise you to go to your voyage provided you would follow his directions, thinks it would help you that you must not work hard…I think that going on the water will help you. I have no business that I could give you nor do I know of any at this time.” More. Some fold repaired with archival tape, seal tear.

October, 26th, 1832, New York, Ellsworth Maltby writes to his brother Lucius, New Haven, 1 page, 10” x 8”: In part, “Your letter has just come to hand & agreeable to your request, I enclose one hundred & thirty dollars which I wish you to send me a note for…I hope you will help George get his dues from Mr. Coab & say to George that I request him to get his pay & not delay. I am well but no time to write any respects to all our family & your wife…” Expected foxing, fold tears repaired with archival tape, seal tear.

May 27th, no year, Glastonbury (CT) Ambrose Restland to Jonathan Maltby, 8 ¼” x 5 ½”, 3 pp, possibly a fellow written by a religious friend. Jonathan is listed in “Genealogies of Connecticut Families,” as a minister who fought in the Revolutionary War.

In part, “Dear Brother – I wrote a line by Mr. Williams…’Tis so long time I saw you that I can scarcely recollect your countenance, yet in my retired moments I can point to myself an Umbra somewhat resembling my own most intimate friend. Has the flight of time yet indented your Brow…Have the three past years given you in bulky, corpulent appearance or a thin meager form…Were my soul dismembered of this mortal prison, I would with the swiftness of thought satisfy myself in this & a thousand other enquries.”

Comments on the ministry: “Mankind require plain Truth, handed forth in a plan, open & digested manner. They require the interesting doctrines which tend toward their reformation…Excuse my freedom in writing—by this I hip you’ll be convinced that I possess an unabated…friendship & that you are not lost in the catalogue of my dearest acquaintances. Ambrose Restland.”