The following letter was written by Stephen “Chester” Shaw (1808-1890), the son of Philip and Lucy Shaw of Lewis county, New York. Chester was married in April 1837 to Frances (“Fanny”) Edelin (b. 1816) in Wood county, Virginia. We learn from the letter that Chester left his home in New York State in 1830 when he was 22 years old and had started a new life for himself in the Ohio river town of Parkersburg, Virginia, located at the mouth of the Little Kanawha river. At the time of his arrival, the town had only 200 inhabitants. Chester wrote the letter to his older brother, Dr. Otis Shaw (1802-1888) and his wife, Lucretia (Nash) Shaw (1807-Aft1850) of Copenhagen, Lewis county, New York.

Chester is considered the first “true Parkersburg and Wood County historian.” He spent his first seven years as clerk in the Wood county court room under James H. Neal, clerk of the Circuit Superior Court. He then held the office of county assessor and commissioner. In 1878 he published a book entitled, “Sketches of Wood County: its early history…“

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Parkersburg [Virginia]
13 September 1833

Dear Brother & Sister,

With a head almost as barren and destitute of a sentimental idea as the desert of Arabia, I this morning take my pen to acknowledge yours of the 26th June last which was received the 6th of July & which as they ever do, gave me pleasure to know that health with the other blessings of life still attend those that the undeviating friendship of youth yet remains indelibly fixed upon my imagination, and who I again hope to see before I pass the isthmus of two eternities.

This morning my mind has been wandering back to the time I eft home first which is three years today. The Sunday before leaving home, we were all together at Father’s, and which is the last time that I have seen our family circle filled by those that once were happy under the guidance of parents—“When shall we all meet again” often sinks with weight on my mind, and produces sensations that pen is unable to picture to your imagination. But here the [paper torn] is directed to that world, which sheds forth the glories of immortality that so dearly vibrate in each bosom—and shall we all meet there? who are depraved by transgression—I most sincerely hope we shall duly considered of the relation we bear to untried eternity, and make sure preparation for the same, and though all here is changing be prepared for that changeless state.

I received a letter from Father a few days since, replete with kindness for which I feel grateful and hope he will not let so much time elapse before he writes again as has between the letters already received. My health is good at present and has been during the summer past, and the reason of my not writing you ere this has been owing to the multiplicity of business that crowds itself upon me. Last Quarterly Court was a wracker, I’ll assure you—which left business on my hands for night and day—during the sitting of the Superior Court which adjourned last Monday—I think that after a few days I shall have more time to devote myself as the confusion of the multitudes of country people that attend court, will not come round again till November Term next. Mr. Stephenson has been very sick with the bilious fever. He is now recovering and I think in a few days will be about. It has been generally healthy with us this season past. The weather’s dry—drier than ever I knew before. Three weeks ago last Sunday, I forded the Ohio River on horseback with a lady behind me at the foot of Blennerhassett’s Island and should not think that there was any place in the river over three feet deep. There has not been a boat down or up the river till today for five weeks. And this one has taken the fair side of a rain storm we had last Friday and Saturday, which raised the river about two feet. The river is now a falling very fast.

The farmers’ crops are said to be not good this fall owing to the dry weather. Fruit is very plenty and good excepting peaches. Wheat worth from 60 to 70 cents per bushel. Money scarce through the county and a general time of collecting debts by law. This much for local matters and I should like to make some inquiries about Copenhagen, and first how does Mrs. Gerry and Irene do? are they going to Connecticut, if so, when? and where is she now living and what doing. Has Mr. Stephens been to the Springs this summer? How does Mrs. Stephens get along? Can she walk about, and where is Jane? Give my love to them and tell them I should like to hear from them. Stephens owes me a letter and he used to tell me, “be like good pay masters.” Ask him if he has changed his “motto.”

…I have to write all the time and think that I take the most pleasure in writing home of anything—for my mind appears to wonder where you are and I can almost sometimes hear you talk. I had a letter from Lucy the other evening, adn she says that Father is agoing to live with you, and I hope he will. I do think that you or [ ] ought to live with Father and Mother. How does Zenas like clerkship and how got along? Remember [me] to Miss Submitt Hammon and tell her it would do me good to have a good chat with her, also Derias and Eliza. Edward has got married.

Have you heard from Cousin Ebenezer Winchester or any of the family? I have not since I left Butler. Has Esqr. Chipman moved to Michigan or does he yet live in Tylersville? If he has moved to Michigan, I wish you would tell me where…Do you know where Miss Scoval is now and should you go to Tylersville, remember me to Mr. Warren and family and Mr. Webb and family. I should like to hear from Mr. Warren….Tell Father and Mother that I am well and shall write to them shortly. I have received several Journals and Lewis County papers from you which are very acceptable and hope you will send more of them to me.

I shall look for an answer to this in four weeks and hope not to be disappointed. Remaining your well wisher, — Brother Chester

To Otis & Lucretia Shaw