Edward Chapin - March 17, 1878 - Chicopee, MA

[Note: This letter is on the same piece of paper as a letter from Marcia to her mother.]

Chicopee

Mar 17th 1878

Dear Cousin Marcia.

It is time you got an answer to your last Letter It seems queer if I have writen you Just one letter each year but it has been a real treat to get a letter from you, and if you have cared enough for mine to save them; I am well paid for writing them. I think Likely that I take more interest in your fathers family after visiting them: but this is a matter in which all must share equal whether they are friendly to me or not. I dont expect to manage so as to suit everybody it aint humane nature to be satisfied and I expect to be blamed for all I do and all I dont do: So I am Glad that you feel as if you could trust me. I should be real glad if you could come on here and so would all the rest: though they never would get ready to write to you.

About your fathers share in the estate I will tell you all I know: Your father sold his share in the first division and spent the money taking and Losing Jobs at this trade in Springfield

Then he gave my father a quit claim deed of his share, in his mothers thirds; to get money to go west in the year 1834 I never knew what the understanding between them was at the time; but I do Know that there was some disagreement between them at the time your father came on in 1848 after his mothers death. Your father thought he had not had enough money for it: and my father said there was 13 years interest on the money; and he had kept Mary and sent her to school all the time; because your father wrote that if he would that he would pay him for it: and he had received nothing from the land yet: but if he ever could afford it he would pay him more. I know he did send him some money a few years after but cannot tell what amount; but all the money that your father got from Uncle Neri or from any one here was sent by father, that is he gave it to him to send. a large part of Uncle Seths land was some that father bought and had Seths name put in the deed with his.

Now Uncle Seths property is all in land and it is going to be the question what to do with it I cannot sell it unless every one consents and that is not likely. We cannot divide among ourselves unless all are agreed; all I have power to do is to settle up all expenses and that I can do as soon as I have it appraised.

My Brother Charley has charge till the first of April as he took the place to carry on. I want it appraised before then and think he will agree. I will send you the result as soon as done. Probly those who live at a distance will have to give some one power of attorney to act for them unless they sell thier share undivided. well you have a full sheet so I subscribe myself you Loveing Cousin

E. E. Chapin.