Oliver Baker 1822 (1826-1834)

Dear Brother, you have neglected me to long, I am anxious to know how you succeed, and what a degree of contentment you enjoy. I feared the sudden and afflicting intelligence of fathers death would create in your mind discontent and rob you of your enjoyment. Our school will close in four weeks from yesterday. That day I expect to have your company and I must pursuade you to go home with me for we shall have no other opportunity of visiting each other again for a number of years and if you will go home I can assist you in the study of the Greek grammar or what you please to take hold of in the languages, besides, you will feel more contented when you return to Exeter, I mention one thing while I think of it, if you go, bring no clothes other than your best, for I shall carry all of mine and when you are at home can furnish you with a common dress as well as not. I am not yet de termined to what college I shall go though it lies between Dartmouth and Middleburg. Mr Clem ent says he will give me a certificate for the Sophomore class at Middleburg if I will go there and other letters that will be of service, for school keeping &c. On the other hand more than one half of my fellows will go to Darmouth. If I should go there I should enter freshman. I have relinquished the thought of going to Cambridge

After I sealed my letter I recieved yours and have broke the seal am very happy to have so good a letter. I can add nothing further of importance. I hope you will care nothing about the examination or rather exhibition at [crossed out] Exeter as it will not be convenient for you to be present if you come here and there is now a prospect of one ^here superior beyond comparison to any before wittnessed for many years. Bartlett had the first part but he is now ^gone to be an assistant at Pembroke Headey and Eldridge took his part (though he will be here and speak and original piece) and Thomas has the second part I never knew or heard of Aikin. Write as soon as possible again I shall write again before exhibition

entirely, a bitter relinquishment as I must lose Thomas whose talents and friendship can seldom exist in the same person. I should like your opinion of this chance at Middlebury and whether you should like to go there in preference to Dartmouth. I hope you will be fitted for either place in two years, and you will if you are persevering, I have learned one lesson which experience has taught, that this staying at the academy (except in my circumstances) the third year is a damage and retards improvement. If you can get over your studies once it is but a [?] benefit to have an [instructor?] it is better to review alone. I cannot but repeat what I have said concerning going home, you must go, perhaps we shall otherwise never see each other again, I have heard nothing farther from Templeton and have not written. I have made the attempt but alas; I could not write. Write immediately and put the letter in the office if there is no other way of conveyance yours in brotherly love and affection, Oliver

Jingle

Mr Otis Baker Exeter. Phillips Academy N.H.

(Upside down) Brother Oliver's (Upside down) July 27th 1825

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Oliver Baker a member of Phillips Academy am holden and firmly bound and obliged to THE TRUSTEES OF PHILLIPS ACADEMY in the full sum of three hundred dollars - to be paid to said Trustees, their successors, or assigns ; to which payment, well and truly to be made, I bind myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators firmy by these Presents. Sealed with my seal. Dated this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and twenty five. -

Whereas The Hon. John Phillips, late of Exeter in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, Esquire, did establish a fund, and place the same under the direction and management of the Trustees abovementioned, for the purpose, among other things, of educating youths of hopeful piety for the work of the Gospel ministry ; and, Whereas the above bounden Oliver Baker - has received, out of said fund, the sum of one hundred & seventy four dollars - for defraying the expenses of his board, while a member of said Academy ; Now the Condition of this Obligation is such, that, if the above bounden Oliver Baker - shall, within Five years, next after the date hereof, be educated and regularly graduated in some University or College, and shall also within ten years, next after the date hereof, engage in the work of the Gospel ministry ; or, in case the said Oliver Baker shall not be so educated and graduated within the term aforesaid ; or, being so educated and graduated, in case he shall not engage in the work of the Gospel ministry within the term aforesaid ; if the above bounded, shall repay the said sum of one hundred and seventy four dollars with lawful Interest hereon, to the said Trustees, that is to say, in the first case, herein above mentioned, within five years, next after the date hereof, to the end, that the same may be appropriated to the charitable and pious purposes, for which the said fund was originally intended, then this Obligation shall be void ; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us,

Jewet Jones Oliver Baker