January 15 1855  Venice Ohio

My Dear Cousin (1)      I take the operty to inform yo that I am well at present and hope that these few lines will find yo in the same state of health that it left me

I receivd your letter last knight and was very glad to her from yo   Your aunts and uncles are well    aunt betsy (2) has no children  aunt lety (3) has three children the oldest one name is William  the oldest girls name is Alice  the youngest on name is Cathrine

My Mother lives in Bloomingvill Ohio and is well   My sister Maryan is married and and lives close by Mothers   Margrett lives to home they have one more Child his name is george   grandfather and aunt pricilla is well at present (4)

We have had but little snow this winter the weather has been very pleasent this winter  we had a very dry summer

Give my love to your Mother and father and to Amanda and thomas (5)    I would like very much to see you

I think I will come to see yo next summer if nothing hapens to prevent me    thear are a great many folks moving west this winter   John Sepherd and Romanes has Moved to iowa and a great man more has gone west   I would have come to see yo this winter if I could butt I have been learning the Carpenter and Joiners trade and this winter I have been a working for uncle Jacob a building a grocery and a Barn for him   My Mother sends her love to yo all and says she would like to see yo

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uncle Jacobs children sends thear love to yo all    uncle Martin and aunt Betsy send thear to y

the Bel is ringing for dinner and I cannot write no more at preasent     but remain your affectionate Cousin until death

William Brandenburg

to Louisa Cedelia Shore

 


Notes:

(1) My Dear Cousin:  Written to Louisa Cedelia Shore (b. 7 Feb 1844, d. 26 Jun 1931).  She is the daughter of John Shore and Mary Ann (Brandenburg) Shore.

When her cousin William Brandenburg wrote this letter to her (15 Jan 1855), Louisa was three weeks short of her 11th birthday.

(2) aunt betsy:  Elizabeth (Brandenburg), married to Martin Garrison.  She is Mary Ann (Brandenburg) Shore's sister.

(3) aunt lety:  Violetta (Brandenburg), married to Jacob Grow.  She is Mary Ann (Brandenburg) Shore's sister.

(4) grandfather and aunt pricilla:  'grandfather' is William Brandenburg, Mary Ann (Brandenburg) Shore's father.  'aunt pricilla' is Priscilla Brandenburg, Mary Ann's sister.

(5) Give my love to your Mother and father and to Amanda and thomas:  Louisa's mother and father are Mary Ann (Brandenburg) Shore and John Shore.  Amanda and Thomas are Louisa's sister and brother.