East Saginow March 16 1868
Mr. PrestonWe have had a very long hard winter here but it is just comencing to break. I have been living in East Saginow for three years headwaiter at the Bancroft House untill since I have been cripled. I know you use to think a great deal of me and I do not think you have lost it all yet and in the way of helping me I wish you would give me a good young mare or a good young horse. I am very anxious about this and please not to neglect & answer this letter after I concluded to moove my family up to Saginow. my things were all in the millwaukee depot when it burnt down and I lost everything I had except what we had on I hope you will grant me this favor if it is in your power. henry nelson is well. I have a wife and five children. I do not want to impose on you by asking favors but if you will grant me this one I shall be very thankful and concider you have done a great deal for me. if you will send me the horse by express I can pay the express when it gets ehre or send the money to you and you can pay it thair for me. I should like to know how the servants are getting along my respects to all I know. I have been weighing last sumer and fall one hundred and eighty nine but since my sickness I weigh a hundred an forty one pounds. I should like to see you and the family again. I should like to know if the children remember me. I hope you will answer this.
no more from yours
respectfuly
Detroit J 27th '77
Mr PrestonI take this time to write you a few lines hoping they will find you well. I have not been well for a long time. I have wanted to write to you for a long time but was affraid. At one time Washington Smith told you I was sick it was not so I was well and hearty at that time working in Toronto second waiter in a hotel doing well and he saw [me] there and was there four or five days before he told me anything. and since that time I have been afraid to write you. I have been doing very well untill this time now I am only living from hand to moth. I have had 14 children and have 9 left. If I had of had my own way since that night conversation in Washington with you I would have been with you yet. Mr Preston if it is you will I wish you would help me now if you possible can. Here is the names of my children. John (25 years) William (23 years) Catharine (17) Annie (13) Emma (9) Carrie (8) Margret (2) Robert (3) Preston after you (4 months) I wish you would send me you photograph for my family.
I told you when I was a boy I had religion but since that time I have strayed away. But now I am living for the hope of reaching heaven. Give my kindest regards to Mrs Margret and the children tel them that I hope they have not forgotten me.
If I never see you again I hope to meet you in heaven.
ans soon (363 Chuganct Detroit)
Your obedient servant
R.W. Beasley
A letter from a new citizen wanting to purchase land from a former slaveowner, 1868
A triumphant letter from an escaped slave, Jane Giles, to her former mistress, Margaret Wickliffe Preston, February 8th 1854
Another letter, this time from Margaret Haws to William Preston, October 1850
Posted October 6, 1997
email: dolph@pop.uky.edu
http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/HIS/scraps/beasly.html