OREGON — NEW YORK

King, G. Historically Interesting Original Autograph Manuscript Letter Regarding the Death of Ezra Prentice, Member of a Prominent New York Merchant Family. Grants Pass, Oregon: 21 January 1872.

Octavo bifolium ca. 20,2x12,7 cm (8 x 5 in). Brown ink on yellowish wove paper. Fold marks, a couple of light stains, but overall a very good letter written in a legible hand.

Historically interesting private letter, originating from an affluent Brooklyn family of Prentice.

The author, Geo. A. King, a pioneer of Grants Pass (inc. in 1887), Oregon, likely addresses the letter to Ida P. Whitcomb, a prominent church and missionary leader from New York. Whitcomb descended from a distinguished Puritan lineage, with ancestors who arrived on the Mayflower and others who served in the Colonial and Revolutionary Wars. Her grandfather, Sartell Prentice, was a prosperous merchant and fur trader in Canton, New York. Whitcomb attended the Collegiate Institute, operated her own seminary on the Heights, authored six books, and served as Vice President of the Woman’s Union Missionary Society in New York.

In the letter to Jacksonville, Oregon, the author urgently informs Miss Whitcomb of the sudden death of her cousin, Civil War veteran Ezra Parmalee Prentice (ca. 1838-1872), from pneumonia. He notes that Ezra lacked sufficient means to cover his final expenses due to his modest wage and assures the recipient that he will handle all financial matters satisfactorily. He requests Ezra's mother's address to send her his belongings and reassures Miss Whitcomb that everything will be handled appropriately.

Overall, historically interesting private letter regarding an affluent Brooklyn family.

Text of the letter (original spelling preserved):  I send you verry sad news your cosin Ezra P. Prentic a particular friend of mine has been for some three years he died at eight o’clock on the evening of the 19th of January he died wutg newmonia he was sick but a few days I was away from him some fifteen miles at the time of his death I lerned his condition the evening of his deth I went imediatly to see him he wanted to see me but I did not arive in time to see him I sent the best medical advice that I could obtain to see him eight days before he died + I heard that he was better untill within two hours of the time expired he has been at work for rather limited pay for this contry he has been verry industrious + stedy ever since I knew him he has but very little means he has not got enough to pay the expences I shall see that they are all payed & settled saatisfactorey to all we wer in this contry alone no friends as rather relatives atall on this cost we wer of the same age within one day you will pleas inform what his mother address is he had some letters + a small albium whitch he wished to be sent to his mother + I cannot find any letters from his mother or any thing that I can get ger adress you adress is all that I can find he has often spoken to me of you + your picture is in his album I would like to keep it with your consent plus send me her adress + I will forward all Yours Truly Geo. A. King. Pleas excuse mistakes + bad spelling. From a stranger. We burreyed him yesterday evening at four o’clock respectably I shall have a fence put around his grave there is small where he is layd.

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