Letters from Andrew Relph to Captain Benjamin Burlingame, 1821-1838

Andrew Relph was born around 1788 at Rhode Island. He later moved to Buffalo, where he operated a steam mill. Captain Benjamin Burlinghame (1773-1849) was born at the Burlinghame family home in Coventry , RI. In 1794, he married Hannah Henry. They had at least three children, one of whom was Henry Burlinghame (1814-1849).Seven letters written to Captain Benjamin Burlingame of Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, dated from 1821 to 1838. Six of the letters are written by Andrew Relph. The remaining letter is written by Captain Burlingame’s son Henry. Most of the letters are posted from Buffalo, except for one which is posted from Pomfret, N.Y. One letter, dated January 22, 1838, provides detailed information about the aftermath of a failed rebellion in Upper Canada at the time. The letters were written during the period that the Erie Canal opened, creating a surge in Buffalo’s population due to increased commerce. The letters document the development of Buffalo by describing business in the city, the construction of new churches, houses and businesses, and local events such as fires