Letters, 1870 Page 303
March 21st 70
Franklin Treat Esq
Frankfort Maine
Dear Sir
Your letter offering $500 for the Flat Rock Mill site was duly received. – After reasonable deliberation I have concluded to accept the offer. – My price for the same, before the war, was $1000.00. – It has been a sort of pet property with me, because many of my boyhood hours were spent there, and its natural features were beautiful. – In a practical and utilitarian view, it is useless for me to hold it, as I shall never improve it myself and it is hardly probable that my heirs would. The 4 acres on the West of the stream, as surveyed by Amos B. Treat in 1841, was deeded to Bro. Albert in 1841 by A. L. Kelley and George A. Pierce Trustee. – The same was deeded to me by Bro. Albert together with 4 acres more or less on the East side in 1853. – I hold the plat of old survey on the West. – Please write me what attestation of deed is required for legal record in Maine when the maker resides in another state. – We have no Commissioner of Deeds for Maine in this State that I am congizant of. – The usual attestation here is the Clk of the Court of Record and the Judge of the same court. – Please state if I shall send Deed duly executed. –
With regards to your family
Very truly yrs
L. P. Grant
Page 304
Atlanta Mar 22nd 1870
Dear Mother
I recd your written orders by Laura and will pay over the sums as requested. – It affords me great pleasure to assure you of the safe condition of your pecuniary affairs. – If you would only spend more freely for your own comfort, it would gratify your children. –
The balance in my hands, and your fifth of what has been paid in to the Estate, will amount to about -------------- $12,500
Notes for property sold 6,400
Property unsold estimated at 19,500
$38,400
Your remaining interest in the Estate
will probably amount to 3,000
$41,400 –
While all my sales may not have been judicious, yet I feel certain that my disposition and care of your property has met your cordial approval. – With love to all
Yr. affec. son –
L. P. Grant
I have to-day paid over to Mrs. Dabney $700.00 to Jno J. McKay for Laura & Mary $1000.00 which reduces the statement to $1700.00 LPG
Page 316
Apl 4th 70
C.S. Rogers Esq
P.O.Box 309 Brooklin
N.Y.
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 24th ult. came to hand some days since. – This is the first opportunity for reply. – I came to the South in 1840 as a Civil Engineer. –Have been connected with the construction and operation of the Rail Road the greater portion of thirty years. – Am quite well posted in Georgia, Ala, Miss & La. –
As to the health and good water, this city and vicinity is my favorite section of country. – This particular locality is 1050 feet above the sea level, with pure atmosphere, free from miasmatic or epidemic sickness. – The productions of farms in this vicinity embraces cotton, corn, what, oats, rye, sweet & Irish potatoes, chives (?), sugar cane, with nearly every description or variety of fruit known to your climate. – The peach of this climate I think superior to any other. –
I could not cite you to any one farm or spot. – The only safe rule is to see and judge for yourself. – If you come to this city enquire for my office, as above, and I will be glad to render you such aid as may be consistent. Yrs very truly
L. P. Grant
Page 332
May 2nd 70
Dear Douglass
Your letter of Apl 25th came to hand this morning. – The coupon $17.50 will be duly collected. – I have not drawn your dividend for the past year, but can do so at any moment. – Shall I remit the money? – I don’t like to go in debt now. – It is a temptation to have money in my hands that is not mine.
If you think I am changed by the war and its results, so far as an honest conviction of right and wrong is concerned, you are much mistaken. If you think you were the only Northern man, in the South, who was unjustly treated during the times of secession – or that no one who held different opinions from yours was outraged in the North at the same period, you are vastly mistaken. If you believe the Ku Klux stories about Georgia you are worse mistaken than ever in your life. – If you believe that the Bullock dynasty is all right, come here and permit me to exhibit some R.R. matters in my office. – Our law suit has gone up to the Supreme Court at Washington where it will probably hang until the next Pres. Election. All well. – With kind regards Yrs truly L. P. Grant
Page 337
May 17th 70
My dear Spiller
I think there is now some prospect of making a sale of the property you sold to Bree. – Have you such authorization from Bree as will authorize you to make a title. – The present occupant, a Mr. Holderness from Columbus, has purchased on New Whitehall Street near the site of Hood’s Headquarters, and will build there. – He is a pleasant neighbor and I was in hopes he would purchase your place. – I feel a warm interest in obtaining a purchaser of known good standing. – Please write me exactly the status of the matter and I will do my best to put in the party I have in view. – We are all quite well and have enjoyed the recent beautiful moonlight evenings on the piazza. – I trust you have had a similar pleasure with your family at your cozy cottage. – Give my love to all. Write me promptly. – When can you come to our live town?
Truly your friend
L. P. Grant
Page 348
Atlanta June 7th 1870
Jas. G. Bree Esq
Baton Rouge La.
My dear Sir
I recd a letter some weeks ago from Capt. E. N. Spiller enclosing yours of Jany 13th to him. – You propose to let me sell the place formerly occupied by you in my neighborhood. – I feel a deep interest in the matter, and if you authorize me to sell, will do all in my power but will not sell to one who would be personally objectionable as a neighbor. – I feel confident that I can get $3500.00 cash for the place, but am not certain of it. – If you desire me to act, please write and give definite instructions. –
I would glad to meet with you and the former members of your family. – Make my kind regards to all. – Would be very glad of the opportunity of a game or two of backgammon or euchre with you. Have you improved in the latter? – What are your crop prospects this summer? – With kind regards and best wishes,
Your friend
L. P. Grant
Page 363
Aug 17th 70
Wm G McAllister Esq
728 Chestnut St
Philadelphia
Dear Sir
My friend, and associate in the office, W. P. Orme Esq, Treasurer of this Company (and by the way a native of Old Pa.) has recently purchased a farm and is much disposed to try a better system of drainage than has generally obtained with farmers in this country. – He wants a farmer’s level which I find described in your pamphlet of Sept 1867 Number 3527. – “Level, brass mounts, plate 12 inches long, with sights, and ball & socket joint, in wood case.”- $20.00. As this price was fixed with gold at about 40 pr ct premium, I hope you can furnish the same at a lower rate now. – Send one to my address at your present charge. –
I am one of the old time Asst. Engrs of the Phil. & Reading R.R. at the date of 1838, when we relied on your business house for everything good in the line of math. Instrs.
Yrs truly
L. P. Grant
Supt.
Page 379
Oct 22nd 70
Dear Sister Lizzie
Your letter of the 10th came duly to hand. – I must frankly say that was unexpected but none the less welcome. – While I cannot aid you in the manner and matter proposed, I can justify, as far as may be of support, your action in selling the Aberdeen Property at any price that may be offered at a fair public or private sale (if the latter is admissable). - It will be a trouble & expense, if you hold it without any return of income. – I would also advise the sale of the Shell Mound property if a fair price can be obtained. – You may rest assured that I will sustain you in a fair administration of the spirit of Brother’s requests, where it may be best to depart from the strict letter. – Of course, whatever may be fairly due to Seppie & Emma in an ultimate settlement will be looked for by them, but so long as I live, and have my present influence, neither of the girls shall embarrass your action in the execution of Brother’s will. –
My health being so bad that I could not remain in the office and the appeals of members of our family becoming so urgent for me to try some trip offering a change of air, I concluded to accept the invitation of an excursion to be given by the U.P.& Cen. P. R. Roads from Omaha to San Francisco. – As Seppie had desired very much to visit Mary I concluded to go via Indianapolis and leave Seppie with her sister. - John took charge of both, but I found that John was at times quite dependent upon me. – I did not lie down during the entire trip of 3 weeks, and had not reclined in sleep for more than fifteen nights before leaving home. – The trip was full of interest and I shall ever remember it as one of the great events of my life. – While many of our party were sleeping soundly, I, from the necessities of the case, was awake, and no feature of mountain or desert escaped me, unless the darkness intervened. – Should be pleased to give you some of the main points but cannot write them now. – We are all in reasonable health. – I suppose you have been posted sufficiently to know that Laura is a Grandma. Seppie is at the Great State Fair today. – I did not see Mary or John. – Mary lost her younger child. – Tell Callie that I appreciate his message and reciprocate it. – With kind regards from all. –
Your Bro - L. P. Grant
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