This letter was found in an envelope with a letter dated July 26th, and judging from the folds in the two letters, they were mailed together. Addressed to: Miss Louisa M. Boynton Mc Lean Tompkins Co. -------------------- Binghamton, July 27th 1857 Dear Father We thought perhaps you would have been down here ere this to see those books but it appears you have sold nearly all there has been a book agent along & I bought Shurgons [?] Sermons he is rather brilient [sic] young man partakes of the American Spirit It had been very warm & is now very oppressive I sent this morn for a mashine [sic] & shall be ready to start one in less than 2 weeks have not bought me a Span [?] of horses yet Talk some of looking at a teem [sic] near virgil corners if So Shall try to call on you if I could have brought my business around I had found horses to suit we should be up to McLean ere this but we cannot go before late in the fall A is rather warm to visit I have no news to write you my health is good but am very drowsy when I sit down in the room The conklin church has hired a young man by the name of Smith they give him 400 Dollars per year I believe he is well liked I am about Selling our large house on Exchange St for 300 Dollars I shall know in a day or so it will free me from debt I trust I shall bring A about I know it is a bad time to sell property but it will relieve [sic] us to be out of debt money has never been closer than it is now Banks are not discounting any the prospects are good for grain this season I think the threshing [?] will be good many have engaged me to do their work James & I have turned out some notes & property for land not far from the turnpike where I sold last spring wee [sic] got 117 acres for 15 Dollars for a yere [??] & save at [?] about 1100 Dollars we never should have got when I get started with my thrashing I will write you again Write often A gives all the news love to all Edward -------------------- [This recipe is written on the back of Edward's letter, in Tain's handwriting.] Strain your currents [sic] through a thin cloth and put the juice on the stove and let it just come to a boil. Skim it while heating. Have your sugar ready and when your juice boils stir the sugar in until it is desolved [sic]. Take it off the stove before you put in your sugar. Mrs Gardner made her jelly in this way and it is beautiful after your sugar has desolved turn it into your dishes and it is done. I am going to pick any currents after I have done washing. I am glad you have got a new dress and collar and I wish you were down here with your dress and I would help you make it if it is not already done. I dont know what you would do if it was not for grandma Heart [?]. Eddy is well and has climbed up by the back door step all alone today. Love to all. Good bye, 'Tain.