American Historical Ephemera & Photography

22 December 1854 - 4 January 1855. 10 pages, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., creased along old folds, with some toning and staining. 

Burbanks begins with a lengthy and thorough physical description of the west, outlining the geographic features and natural resources that make the region different from where his cousins and friends live (likely an eastern city). He writes about crops and livestock as well, explaining the economy of various specimens. His discussion of grain includes an interesting tidbit about transportation technology, and the way "times have changed." He writes: "It has been rather poor business raseing [sic] grain to sell for four or five years past until within one or two years takeing [sic] it to market except to draw it to the lake on wagons it cost nearly all that it would bring to get it to market. But times have changed we have a Rail Road within sixteen miles of us now and expect to have one wihtin five or six miles of us within one year and grain brings a good price." 

After further thorough explanations of geography, farming, and industry progressing in the region, Burbanks turns to a rather fascinating personal matter, writing: "...Elbert has so far recovered that the was able to attend Court the latter part of November, when the man was tried that stabbed him. The trial was in Rockford a distance of twelve miles from Harrison. I took him down in a covered carriage and he stood the ride very well but his side was not entirely healed at that time. I am satisfied that he would not been alive if I had not attended to him myself..."  

He finally invites his cousins and friend to visit the west so that they can know about it and experience it for themselves, and warns them that they should move quickly if they wish to buy land as "the West is settleing [sic] very fast and the best locations will be taken after a while." 

11-15 January 1857. 12 pages, on 3 bifoliums, 5 1/2 x 7 in., creased along old folds.

This letter focuses largely on a detailed allegory, comparing a fire burning in a city to a disease spreading in the human body. He then discusses recent goings on including a trip, a wedding, and outlines prices for livestock and various crops. He interestingly writes that he might try to sell his land in the winter and move to "Kansas or some other new Country in the Spring..." He says that he is displeased with his present location for multiple reasons, writing: "one reason is on account of there being so much Liquor sold in this place another reason is there is not much enterprise here at presant [sic], and another reason is it is a poor place to collect any thing after I have earned it..."

[With:] Postally unused cover with various inscriptions including "Alden Burbanks eq, West [?]ava, Wyoming Co n.y."