I thought I would share a letter I have written to my 4th great Grandfather John Boynton from his nephew John Boynton. I transcribed it and tried to get all the words correct and he uses a lot of dashes. But the letter is a good example of his life back then. I would love to find anyone connected to this family. My John is the son of Isaac Boynton and Sarah Shattuck and his nephew is the son of his brother Isaac. The only person I can't not identify is George, unsure if he is a Boynton, Eaton or just a family friend.

Enjoy
Tina Smith
Huntington Beach CA

The Letter
From : Jericho Center

Dated : April 15, 1836

Addressed to : John Boynton Monkton VT

Dear Uncle John,
Doubtless you will expect an apology from me for not answering the letter which I received from Edwin, eve this. I have various reasons for not writing before. I will state only one which I deem sufficient. I wrote home immediately after I received Edwin’s letter. I wished to get an answer to my letter, before I wrote you. I received a letter from Father last Monday. The folks at home are all well, and send much love to you all. Sister Hannah’s health however, is not very good, but much better than it was when I was at home last June. She is at Doctor Cutters at present. Harriet is at home, the girls wished to be remembered in particular to Jane, saying they often think of her visit to Pepperell; and that the acquaintance they then formed with her will never be forgotten. They say they wish that they had a cousin Maria to send their love to, but alas Maria is no more, she has gone and they will never see her. Hannah says I wish I could have seen Maria, and I always thought I should until I read your letter informing me of her death, but I cannot feel thankful enough that Jane visited us with you last summer, and I hope I may have the pleasure of seeing her again. Harriet says ask Jane if she remembers our ride to Lowell? I wish I could have another such with Cousin Jane. O, says she, “if it was not so far, “I would set out this evening, and go, and see her, and the rest of Uncle John’s folks; but you know that the green mountains are between her and me, and it would take more than one or two evenings for me to reach their rugged tops. Father said he received a letter from you a short time since; he said you mentioned nothing in your letter about the one he wrote you preciously. Father contemplates making brick this summer – Joshua will remain at home with him. They made about eighty thousand brick last fall and sold them. Father said nothing in his letter about Levi, of course he has not heard from him of late. My school is as good this spring as I expected; I have had about fifty scholars this term – not far from forty is school at present – many of my scholars are sick with the measles – George is well – and doing well in his studies, - he has been through the Latin Grammar and reads a page of Latin at a lesson, He is a promising young man. I find him a much better scholar that I expected he is one of the best speakers I have in school. So far as I can learn, he is well pleased with the school and his boarding house. George often calls at my room, I always find him pleasant – well disposed, and possessing an amiable disposition. I hope he will do well in his studies, so as to give good satisfaction to his parents and friends on his return home at the end of the quarter – He told me today, that he had written home, but had received no answer to his letter – Tell his folks, if he is sick or anything the matter they shall hear of it without delay – My best respects to George’s Father and Mother, and all other friends in Monkton – The Trustees of the Academy wish to have me stay lees another year – I think it very doubtful at present – I want very much to go south, if I can make all things came sound right. I suppose my folks will oppose my going – but that I cannot help – if I can. I shall go. Jericho is no soil for me to grow in. I have no fault to find with the place or the inhabitants; but there is a bout of something I do not like – Their manner and customs do not at all compost with my views and feelings. I would not have infer from this that I am troubled with that want of all reseases - Homesickness – this is not the case – I have long since learned this one lesson ver. – to be content where I am situated.
The contents of Edwin’s were not unexpected. I well knew what the letter contained eve I broke the seal. I will add a few line of poetry to what I have written.
On the death of Maria
Alas, how changed how attend is the same! And can it be, Maria! Last thou of one? Hast thou forever fled thy friends embrace? Me thinks I hear the echo of thy voice still lingering on my ear, with ascents sweet; And see thy lovely, smiling countenance, And brilliant eyes, (??) index of the mind, still beaming smile with innocence and love. How short thy race and how noble twas – Like the young rose, expanding its rich folds, and opening wide to (??) gentle breeze, Tide rippled by early frost, it perished – so didn’t thou winter lovely warmth; yes, death has huddled at thee his chilling rant, and thou hast sped to meet thy God above. But though thy beauty smolders in the dust – though thy gone Spirits gone to dwell on high – still (??) lives thy faithful chronicler; the pride and consolation of the friends. The recollection of thy worth remains Deep planted in our hearts, and seems to tell the story of thy life and death anew. My do we mourn thy death? Why weep for thee? We would not call thee from thy happy seat, Again to wonder in this dreary world – Again to test its bitter cup of woo, and to endure its hr a second time. No! But since God ordains, let us submit – and rather wish ourselves with thee in Heaven, than tee with us on earth.
Yours affectionately, John Boynton