Numbered pages 357, 358, 402, 400, 395, 396.

 

Manchester Fire Assurance Co.                           Belvidere  N.J.                  Sept. 16th  1898

Dear Cousin Henry J.:

Your kind letter of the 8th inst., informing us of your safe arrival at your Western home was duly received with pleasure and read. We were all pleased to hear from you and to learn that your journey was a safe one, and that you found your friends at home all well.

You have now been East and looked at our Eastern country, and have seen some of us in our homes, and become personally acquainted with many of the friends out here, and therefore in writing to you henceforth we will not be strangers to you, as we were before your visit East.

I have seen two or three of your distant kinsfolk who say they fully expected you to call and see them. You remember Mrs. James Prall who lives at the old village of Ramseysburg—you met her at the reunion—she said she fully awaited [and expected?] a visit by you.  Also some of the

friends over in Penna., say they certainly thought you would visit them.  Mrs. Hageman a Grand daughter of John Aten, and to whom I on several occasions spoke about you said she expected you to call and see her—She was over here on the 7th to a funeral of her aunt a Miss Ribble who died just below where I live. Miss Ribble you remember of hearing us often speak of her as she was very sick when you was here died on Sunday night the 4th inst.—I have seen Henry Aten of Hope since you left. He said he enjoyed our visit so much—Well we did have a nice visit with him and his lovely wife and family that day. 

Mrs. Hay says that since you had gone so many things come back to her that she used to hear her grandfather talk about, and says if she could see you now she could tell them to you. Cousin Carrie left on Tuesday morning following your leaving. I send to you a slip cut from a Philadelphia paper in reference to reprinting many of the old Dutch and other records

We had warm weather for several days after you left—then came a cool spell and it is now quite warm again—Capt. R.T. Dran___ an old veteran of this place died on Sunday the 11th and was buried on the 14th—a dear friend who was at our reunion (not relation) died the 5th at her residence at Portland Penna.,  I talked to her on the porch of the old home just after Dr. J.B. Thompson spoke.  She was there this year and last both—she and I were school mates at the old Eight Square stone school house that you saw on our way home from Henry Aten’s—Her name was Adams.  I was given a paper from Arkansas by Mr. Boyer who lives here.  You met him  he has a son living at Mena, Polk Co., Arkansas.  I see in the paper that the Republican Candidate for Governor was named “Auten.”  I sent to you on a copy of the Blairstown Press containing an account of our reunion.  I suppose you have received it long

ere this.  I was looking over the old marriage laws of N.J. a few days ago, and I found conclusive evidence to me why “Dirck” Aten was compelled to take out license to marry—I send an extract of the same to you along with this.  We are all quite well at my home at this time.  Albert started to school on the 6th.  He goes every day.  Friend Aten you must not forget our visit to the Delaware Water Gap on that hot Sept., day—Sept., 2nd 189[8].

I send this letter to you in one of the envelopes that I got that day.  Also don’t forget that out in New Jersey—yes in old Warren County, and near the old town of Belvidere that rich people bury their dead servant way back in the back part of the GraveYard, and put on the headstone “Lizzie slave of Jacob T___w.”  I hope you are all well at your home at this time.  Give our love to all at your home.  I will be pleased to receive a letter from you at any time that you may find time to write—I will enjoy your letters more than ever now that we have seen each other and are acquainted.  I will give you any history that I may find from time to time.

[Warren County Surrogate’s Office]

I quote to you from Allinson’s N.J. laws—an old book printed in 1786—“Up to 1795 our State law as to marriage was the same as that passed in 1709 under the Crown (George I).  It required license when either party was under the age of twenty one years, and then required not only license and such notice as would give full time for parents or guardians to prevent the marriage (if they desired)—but also required a bond of indemnity etc.————

I am now satisfied that Judith Van Fleet and Ariantia Longstreet were both under 21 years of age when they and Derick were married.—That accounts for the fact that some gave bond and others not—also why a license and bond were not given when Derick and Catherine Warren were married.——     ——

Think over this matter and see if you do not come to the same conclusion that I do.—

I sincerely hope that life may be spared to us both, so that we may see each other again some time in the future. 

In conclusion I am very respectfully and fraternally                   Your Cousin         Nicholas Harris