Franklin County: Franklin Rosenbery to his family,
January 3, 1864
Summary:
Rosenbery responds to the news of his family, including that of his grandmother's
death. He offers praise to God and allegiance to country. Rosenbery then forcefully
writes that his acquantance, John Markey, should return his tools.
January 3, 1864
Army of the Potomac
Stephensville, Va.
Dear Family:
Your leters of December 27th came to hand yetserday evening. I was glad to hear that you was well and Brother William and Sister Eliza was recovering from their illness. Sorry to hear that Jonas must still be troubled with them spells and sorry to hear of Grandmother's death but the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Blessed by the Lord. I hope she is praising God in Heaven.
Where there is no war or no trouble to contend with. But all is joy and peace.
Well, I hope Brother John is well and Solomon I hope is well and obeying his parents so that when he has to be away from home he will not have that trouble to think of. If this should be his lot but I hope he will enjoy the presence of his parents awhile he lives and the rest of my sisters and step mother are well and enjoying health which is the richest of God's Blessings.
This is the Sabbath Morning and finds me in good company while living a soldier's life for my country's sake.
By the help and grace of God I am trying to live a soldier for Jesus. May God keep me faithful and all those that desire His Salvation.
Well, now, concerning John Markey...I would advise him, as a friend, to return them tools home and in as good order as I left them. And if they are not all in the chest or any of them broke he shall stand good from them. As to selling them-under any circumstances whatever I intend using them myself if I live.
This is not going to last forever and if I never get home the tools will not eat anything.
Now, I ask you to bring them home immediately-no matter where they are and if he does not watch I shall sue him for stealing them as he had no orders to move them.
I could not tell whether the tools was at Stephen Keeffer's. As you had not writ it very plain but no matter where they are. You get them home and when you get them. Let me know and then if I can see the point I will pay.
I think that I can see the point. You make some inquiry to this affect and see if I
can hold his pay till him and Joseph Markey pays you. If I can I will pay him in his
own coine. I will try here and name the tools:-
1
joiner
1 Face plane
1 smoothing plane
Jack plane
2 sets plow and
grooves
1 rabbit 1/4 head 5/8 head
Roof Bevit Trying Square Steel Square Compases 9 Thuset guages hand saw-tenant saw-three
lurges-chisel- a lot of small chisels. I can't give the number. Saw set-whet stone-Brace and 3 or 4 bits. 2 small gimlets-2
[unclear: seniling] all chalk line-red line-hatchet-hand aue=3 screw drivers 1 3/4 auger that you gave me 3/4 auger-1/2 auger 5/8 auger- a malet-bench
hook-screw and burr foot luge.
When you get the chest home, mark on a paper all the tools and what kind. I will tell you if they are all there or not. If I had not been merciful my tools would have been at home before I left.
I did not think John (Markey) was so bad up. I shall pay him every cent when it suits me and he will take when he gets it..
No more at this time.
Franklin D. Rosenbery
