English: Postal Date: March 22, 1845, Valparaiso, Indiana [letter dated March 21, 1845]

Scott Catalog Number of Postage Stamp: Manuscript Cancellation Collection: Steven R. Shook

SENDER: David Hurlburt Valparaiso, Porter Co., Ind.

RECIPIENT: John L. Bratton, Esq. Atty at Law Lancaster Ohio

REMARK: This letter outlines a financial transaction for real estate.

John Trafford Brasee had considerable net worth. The 1850 Federal Census for Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, indicates that John and his wife owned real estate valued at $59,479 (equivalent to slightly more than $2 million in 2021). John was bborn December 24, 1800, at Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York, and died on October 27, 1880, at Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. He was buried in Forest Rose Cemetery in Lancaster.

Brasee migrated to Ohio at the age of 15 and entered Ohio University in Athens, Athens County, Ohio, in 1819. Upon graduation, he would become the principal of the Lancaster Academy in 1824. He read law in Lancaster and was admitted to the Lancaster bar, after which he became a very prominent and successful Ohio attorney. Brasee would serve in the Ohio Senate from 1856 to 1857 and soon after discontinued his law practice to focus his energy on his extensive agricultural interests.

David Hurlburt was born in Athens County, Ohio, on March 4, 1816, the son of Reuben and Rachel (Johnson) Hurlburt; his parents moved to what is now Porter County in 1834; both parents died in Porter Township. David Hurlburt was seventeen years of age when he settled in the wilderness of Porter County. In 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Spafford, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and daughter of Chester and Margaret Spafford. This union produced three children - Chester, Edith A. and Ruth S. Mr. Hurlburt farmed in Porter Township, where he owned 700 acres. David died March 15, 1896, in Porter County, Indiana.

A transcription of this letter is as follows:

37½ John T. Brasee Esq Atty at Law LanCaster Ohio

Double ["Double" likely refers to cost of postage and was written by the Valparaiso postmaster at this time, Samuel R. Bryant.]

Valparaiso Porter Co. Ind March 21st, 1845

Jno T. Brasee Esq

Yours of Feby 19th came to hand In Reply I send, you the Quit Claim Deed of my mother to the land in question.

She now, thinks that she would Prefer, having the One hundred and fifty dollars. paid to her immediately in lieu of the, twenty five dollars annuity, and hence she has maintained that proposition was made, voluntarily, she thinks it will make no difference to Mr. Maccrackam. In the arrangement, she expects, (as you informed me) that Maccrackam will pay all expenses including your fees exclusive of the abov sum

You may procure, if possible, a draft upon the Branch Bank of our State Bank at Michigan City, to remit to me, but if this is not practicable then, a Certificate of Deposit, of One of your Solvent Banks, if this is not practicable also, then good funds in such size as will form a safe remittance. My mother is in great need of the money, and hence would be glad to have it as soon as she can get it.

Very Respectfully, David Hurlburt

John T. Brasee Esq Lan Caster Ohio.

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