HISTORY BY HAND

original historic handwritten manuscripts, documents and letters

a division of Jonathan Sheppard Books

Item Number: DM4093

The Letter: In a letter dated June 25, 1840, S. L. Edgar, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, writes to his brother Samuel in Knoxville, Illinois, sending him a detailed accounting relating to the settlement of their father John Edgar, Sr.’s estate in Hart County, Kentucky.  In addition to the estate information, Edgar informs his brother of the death of his daughter Margaret on January 2, 1840 and mentions that his planned move to Missouri has been delayed because of illness and bad weather.

From Edgar’s detailed accounting we learn that John Edgar, Senior, had eleven heirs entitled to a $22.57 share of his personal estate in 1840.  The estate has apparently not been settled since 1835. We also learn that the writer has collected an outstanding debt of $5.25 on Samuel’s behalf from Richard Lyle.  Edgar’s wife Sarah and brother Johnston are also mentioned in the letter. 

Edgar ends his letter to his brother Samuel with a plea for explanation.  He writes, “In conclusion, I inquire why [you] seased your corishpondence.  I have written to you again & again without answer ...”

Size: Overall size is 14 3/4" wide x 12 1/2" high. Paper is folded once to 7 3/8" wide x 12 1/2" high and the letter is written on two of the four pages. Worn, with major separations at the folds affecting the text in several locations. There is a hole, not affecting the text, where the letter had been sealed with wax. An unusual piece despite its imperfections.

Background Information: Based upon the information contained in the letter, we have concluded that the writer is Squire Lowery Edgar (1801 – 1863). 

Both the writer of the letter, Squire Lowery Edgar, and the recipient, Samuel Edgar, were sons of Revolutionary War soldier John L. Edgar and his wife Elizabeth Cummins, who were married in North Carolina in 1780.  John Edgar settled in Kentucky sometime around 1788 or 1789 and died in Hart County sometime between 1831 and 1835.

The writer, Squire Lowery Edgar, eventually settled in Missouri where he died in 1863.  The “Sarah” referred to in the letter was his first wife was Sarah Ann Baker. He later married the widow Adeline Bledsoe in Missouri.

The recipient, Samuel S. Edgar, was born in Kentucky in 1797 and died in Knox County, Illinois in 1883.  He married Polly Defever in 1822 and appears in the 1860 Knox County Illinois census.  Also listed in the 1860 Galesburg, Knox County Illinois census is “Jimmy Edgar” aged 79, born in North Carolina and his wife Sarah, aged 75, born in New Jersey.  This is likely Samuel’s oldest brother James, who was born in North Carolina in 1781, and his wife Sarah Trowbridge.  Ten years later, Sarah, a widow, is living with her son Lawrence Edgar.

The other brother mentioned in the letter, Johnston Edgar, married Susannah Harness in 1817.  In 1820, he can be found in Munfordville, Hart County Kentucky on the same census page with his father and his brothers Samuel, James, John and Josiah.

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