Gold Rush Era Letters

pound & one half & cost $1,000. It is beautifully engraved & the top opens & displays to view nine different specimens of native gold taken from different parts of the country & all in all it is a splendid ring.

For 3 or 4 days past the weather has been very hot here much hotter than it was ever known to be before but today it is again cool & pleasant. As this is the fifth letter I have written you since I received one from you. I hardly know what to write as I have already written about every thing that I thought would interest you so I believe I will close. Please give my love to all my friends & write me as often as you can & oblige.

Your Son & Brother H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

P.S. Please find out whether Wm Shedd [William Shedd] & the Chapin Boys are out here or not & where they are also write all the news about the town of Pepperell & vicinity & about your farm work schools &c. Remember me to Uncle Bradley & Aunt Betsey & tell them that I will write them soon.

Samuel Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker] sends his best respects to you all & says he will send you a specimen of gold unless he comes & brings it himself, but he has not decided as yet which way to get it to you but says you may expect it at any rate.

To Mrs. Ann Parker East Pepperell Mass

Feby [February] 28th Tuesday morning -----

Today is the last day of winter & is about the same here, as regards temperature &c [etc.] as you experience in P. the last of April or first of May -- For a week past a great deal of rain has fallen - nearly as much as had fallen the whole winter before -- so the streets are in rather a bad state -- being wet & muddy, but today is a clear warm day & the mud will in a measure disappear before night.

This rain was just what was wanted throughout the mining region, as owing to the scarcity of water until within a few days past but little gold comparitively [comparatively] speaking had been taken out during the winter.

I have not heard from S. P. Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker] since I last wrote you, but presume he is well & doing well. By last mail from the states, I not only received a letter from you but also from J. A. T. [J. A. Tucker] Miss Lizzie Lewis who writes me by nearly every mail & one from Wm. A. Lewis [William A. Lewis], all of which were very acceptable. Please give my love to Charles, Harriet, & all my friends who may inquire after,

Your affct [affectionate] Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker],

[bottom left corner:] To Mrs. Ann Parker E. Pepperell Mass