The following letter was written from Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana by Joseph Murray Peters (1830-1917), a merchant druggist and the husband of Margaret Cunningham (1834-1893). Joseph was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the son of John Peters (1792-1880) and Elizabeth Regina Murray (1794-1877).

Joseph wrote the letter to Henry Shanafelt, Jr. (1827-1893) of Greentown, Stark county, Ohio, who was the husband of Rosa F. Peters (1832-1917)—an older sister of Joseph’s.

The content of the letter is pretty much limited to weather and the economy so historians looking for war news will be disappointed in it but what is most surprising is the total absence of any war news—particularly as it affects the economy. One would not have a clue from this letter that the war had any impacts on this northern Indiana county and community.

Transcription

Goshen, Indiana
January 27, 1863

Mr. H[enry] Shanafelt
Dear Sir,

I suppose you begin to think we have forgotten you entirely or are all dead or even something worse, but if you have not yet stricken our names off the roll. We desire to be still on your “list of friends.” I regret exceedingly that I am growing so lazy in writing and I still resolve every day to do better in the future.

But everything is going so upside down like that we hardly know anymore which end we stand on. We are just having the most God-forsaken winter “around these diggens.” Nothing but mud and rain, and rain and mud. And from all accounts you are not faring much better in regard to the weather. We have not had a monthful of sleighing yet.

Times are getting somewhat dull perhaps in consequence of miserable roads, but trade has been very good all fall and winter. Merchants have been having a genuine old harvest. All kinds of produce has been bringing better prices than last winter and farmers have been more liberal in consequence. Wheat is selling now at $1.12 per bushel, corn 45, oats, 40, potatoes 50, pork 3.75 to 4.50, butter 14, eggs $1/dozen, lard 6, tallows 8, wood per cord 1.75 (best kind).

Our folks are only in tolerable health. Margaret had a spell of ague last week and Frank—by the way permit me to introduce you to Mr. Frank Harvey Peters who was five months old the 20th instant and usually one of the finest, fattest and happiest folks that ever blessed a home—but he too has been unwell for several days now. [ ] is probably teaching. Carrie is doing well, appearing quite healthy.

Maybe you are not aware that Grandmamma Cunningham is with us, She has been with us just two weeks tonight. She tok us entirely by surprise. Why can not some of my relatives come and see us. I think any of you would feel well paid after seeing the country and things in general. I think it would be just the place for you to sell goods and for George Guily to follow either coopering or farming. And last but not least, for old Pete to follow hunting. There’s plenty of game yet within a few miles of town—venison is no rarity at all here, and there is an old hunter here who would make a most glorious match for him. They would make a bully team.

I have been thinking some of selling my house. If I do so, we will pay you a visit next summer. I should like to see you all very much. I ought to write more frequently to my parents but it is so easy to be negligent. Write soon and tell us how all the folks are. We frequently see folks from Stark county but they seldom can tell us anything about you. I hope Rosa’s health is better again? Is Bobby growing any?

Where is John S. by this time, and how is Harriet getting along? Give love to all—especially father and mother. Forgive me for sending this poor affair of a letter. Yours respectfully, — J. M. Peters