Agency
of Niagara Fire Insurance Co. of NewYork
Belvidere N.J. Jan 20th 1898
Henry
J. Aten Esq Hiawatha Kansas
Dear Cousin: I
was down to Easton on Wednesday and spent part of the day in the Court House
and County offices etc. and while waiting, I copied an old will made by our
ancestor.—I had heard she had made a will but never had a copy of it—I thought
it would be of interest to you for two reasons—1st—It proves that
her maiden name was Middagh.—2nd—That she was the mother of the same
children as mentioned in Adrian’s will.
Also it gives their names,--just as his will does.
Then I send you extracts from other papers, as I
imagine they
will
be of some interest to you, especially the one where Derrick signed the deed
“Dirck”, and also the fact that he was a farmer and blacksmith;--that you
possibly never knew before, i.e. that he was a blacksmith. If I do not cease sending so much old stuff
to you, you may think after awhile that I am a crank or something else on old
copies and documents etc. I send you
these things because you always seem interested in old documents and records
relating to the family.—It would be interresting for you to see the old musty
and age stained deeds wills etc. at Easton and Trenton.—At Easton a great many
are written in the dutch and German languages—and the curious old
signatures! I hope you will get a
chance to see them some day.—We are all well at this time.—hope you are all
well.—Love and kind regards to you all.
I will be pleased to hear from you at any time.