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Finding aid to the Pierce Family Letters to William Pierce, 1853-1855, SFH 218
SFH 218  
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Phebe Pierce, Greenfield [Mass.], to William, ca. July 1853

Physical Description: 1.0 leaf incomplete letter

Scope and Contents

Discusses Pierce family finances, Luryan's extravagance, George's roofing work, and the activities of various acquaintances in Greenfield. Mentions the impending trial of Merrick Billings of Greenfield.
 

Luryan Pierce, Greenfield [Mass.], to son William, August 24, 1853

Physical Description: 1.0 leaf

Scope and Contents

Discusses family news; family drinking habits; a new barn being built; family property and debts. Luryan has received $200 from William. There is "hard talk about Judah being trickish." Merrick Billings has been sent to prison.
 

Phebe Pierce, Greenfield [Mass.], to William, ca. November 1853

Physical Description: 1.0 leaf

Scope and Contents

Discusses her thoughts on acquiring wealth and hopes that William can earn enough money through gold mining to live comfortably. Warns him to be careful doing construction work; he seems to be working on three- and four-storey buildings in San Francisco, perhaps installing tin ceilings or roofs, and not paid well for it. William's sister-in-law Kate has given birth to a son. Phebe reports about local building projects, politics, and the activities of various family members and Greenfield residents.
 

Phebe Pierce, Greenfield [Mass.], to William, May 9, 1854

Physical Description: 1.0 leaf

Scope and Contents

Describes a late snowfall and flooding in Greenfield and environs, the Old Folks concert, and discusses family financial matters. Phebe warns William of his step-mother's manipulative nature. There is a reference to (Theodore) Judah and his wife Ann in San Juan, Nevada County.
 

Phebe Anne Pierce, Greenfield [Mass.], to Brother, July 18, 1854?

Physical Description: 1.0 leaf

Scope and Contents

Ten-year-old Phebe Anne reports that she is going to Brattleboro, Vermont; discusses family matters and how much she misses brothers William and Elnathan. A fire damaged a house in Greenfield.
 

Samuel Pierce, Greenfield [Mass.], to William E. R. Pierce, March 5, 1855

Physical Description: 1.0 leaf

Scope and Contents

Samuel writes of William's loss of his inheritance, and of his step-mother's schemes regarding George Pierce's property, as well as James Pierce's debts, and William and Samuel's financial situations. Samuel writes of the possibility of selling his farm. A short note from Aunt Phe is appended, in which she mentions receiving the Governor's message in a letter from Ann (Mrs.Theodore Dehone Judah).