Matthew Barney letter to Thomas Rotch, Nantucket 4 mo 29th 1812

A letter posted from Nantucket in March, 1812, a month before Thomas Rotch platted the village of Kendal in northeast Ohio. Matthew Barney requests settlement information from his cousin, Thomas Rotch. He mentions that many Nantucket residents in poor financial straits and effected by typhoid fever are selling out and are anxious to leave the island for better prospects elsewhere. Barney did migrate to Ohio and he also mentions Charles Coffin who anticipates going to Cincinnati with his family. Barney wrote, "We have had various accounts respecting that western community some say it is not healthy that they have the fever and also rheumatism and others say it is very healthy." 8.12"" x 10.3"" (20.6 by 26.2 cm