Lowell History: Mill Boy Letters

 
                                                          Levant  Jany 11th  1833
 
Dear Cousin
 
   I received your letter Dated Jany 3rd in answer to mine, and was very glad to hear that you were a printing a paper there, and hope you will find a sufficient number of subscribers to make it profitable. I received also three numbers of your paper, which I am very much pleased with and supposing that, the more subscribers the better. I have obtained four in this place and have enclosed the amount in this letter. You may direct them to the Post Master Levant, M.E. They wish to have the back numbers sent. I am much obliged to you for sending me your paper, and hope I shall have it in my power to repay you for your kindness. You inquired about this place, I cannot say much in its favor. There is but little society here, and a very little literacy taste as you will perceive by the small number of subscribers which I have obtained, however, this is a place of considerable business and not the worst place that ever was that is all I can say about it. I hope you will meet with success, in all your laudable undertakings. Charles, I understand will leave Dixmont and remove to Bangor in June next and go in to practice with Father. My business is such that I cannot write any more at present. I shall be glad to hear from you often. Give my love to all enquiring Friends and except the same from you affectionate cousin Alfred Gilman                                            Samuel A. Gilman

 
                     Levant Dec. 31, 1832
Dear Cousin

   I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you in haste. I am now living at this place which is 12 miles from Bangor, with Mr. William Bradbury. I like him very much he appears to be a man of very good feelings, he has one other clerk. I am at the head, and have all the writing to do which is considerable, and hard work. I have not made any particular agreement about the wages but expect to get between 16 & 20 $ per month, not less than $16- I saw Stephen here the other day he & Family are all well. He told me you were a printing a paper at Lowell. I hope you will do well with it. I should have written to you before but did not know where you was-Charles and wife expect to start for Exeter this week on Thursday to make a visit there-The Family are well as usual. It is a very cold day to day and my hands are so cold that I have hard work to write at all-you must write to me a letter and let me know how you get along at Lowell with your paper----I hope Marks’ health is better than it was when I was there-I had a very good passage from Boston to Bangor when I came down-it was but 47 hours from the time that I left the wharf at Boston before I arrived at Bangor. I left Boston on Saturday-I came down in the Free Trade- I don’t think of anything more at present-Give my love to Mark and Family and expect the same from you
             affectionate cousin

Mr. Alfred Gilman Samuel A. Gilman