Quarto bifolium ca. 25,5x20,1 cm (10 x 8 ¼ in). 4 pp. Brown ink on yellowish wove paper. Fold marks, several light stains, but overall very good letters, written in a legible hand. With the original envelope, addressed to “Mr. Ephriam Mills, Georgia, Plains,” with postal ink and U.S. postage stamp.

Historically interesting collection of two content-rich original letters, documenting legal troubles of Minnesota pioneers.

Both letters, written in July 1859, are addressed to Ephriam Mills of Plains, Georgia. The first was authored by Eliyah C. Mears (ca. 1807-1878), a pioneer farmer of Pleasant Grove (established in 1854), and the second by his sister-in-law Sylva (ca. 1802–1886) and likely his nephew Marion Pattridge (ca. 1835–?). The letters detail the financial struggles of Prescott P. Pattridge (ca. 1828–1883), a relative of all three authors.

As follows from the text, Prescott had mortgaged his land property to Mills, but due to mounting debts was unable to fulfill his financial obligations. To protect the property from creditors who were aggressively claiming it, Prescott secretly transferred the land to Eliyah C. Mears. This created a legal complication, as Mills still had a mortgage on the property, and the creditors' claims were still unresolved.

In the letters, the authors explain the situation to Mills, request his understanding, and ask for leniency on the mortgage. They also discuss John Cooper Woodworth (ca. 1818-1901), who had taken possession of the property and was refusing to vacate it despite Mears' legal efforts. In the rest of the letters, the authors, complain about the harsh economic conditions, express hope for a good crop harvest, and describe Prescott’s desperate decision to join the California Gold Rush after discouraging news from Pike’s Peak.

Overall, historically interesting collection of two content-rich letter, regarding legal negotiations in the early years of Minnesota Territory.

Excerpts from the first letter (original spelling preserved):

By request of Mrs. Pattridge I have thought proper to write to you, respecting Prescott’s affair and also your intent in this place.  In the first place, Prescott was possessed with rather a daring spirit but was not sufficiently cautious and did not look forward for - . He supposed that good times would last always, but in that we have all been deceived, and it has been a great lesson to the people of Minnesota. Prescott had got deeply involved in debt and would have worked himself out if the times had held good. He had a valuable farm and had built splendid house which cost 3000 dollars and a barn worth 12 or 15 hundred and was doing good business keeping a stage house. At the time that he loaned money of you he did not dream of disappointing you in any instance. The property that you have a mortgage on, would be worth 4000 dollars quick, if there was any money in the country and there is no other mortgage on the property. Prescott had sold a part of the property and received 2000$ in land in march AD 1858 and gave a bond for a deed…

Notes of 7,50 dollars with interest at ten percent per – was done the second day at last march, but not one cent was paid. Prescott foreseeing the trouble that was coming from demands against him sold the whole property to me and assigned the notes he had of John C Woodworth over to me for fear that his auditor might levy on those notes and frustrate the payment running to you. I have tried to collect from Woodworth but have failed. He has got possession of the place and swears that he will keep it. I am doing as well as I can for Prescott. I have commenced action against Wooworth, he failing to fulfill on his part the Bond became null and void on the second day of April last. I have sued one Note of 750 dollars and demanded the possession of the premises. But I have a multitude of foes to encounter. Prescott’s auditors are doing what they can to break the deed running to - . How it will turn in the end I don’t know. I supposed that Prescott had informed you of his situation before he went to California, but I understand by you that he did not. Curtis encouraged Prescott to go and I was informed that he (Curtis) promised to assist Prescott in paying up your mortgage. There was no intend fraud practice on you by Prescott, I believe he intended to deal honorable and punctual with you, but it is out of his power to do so at present. We are looking for a letter from Salt Lake he promised to write at that we wish the boys good luck if the should do well there might be some thing saved, but if the boys fail Prescott has gone up Salt River. If we fail with all the cost to get possession of the property unlike your mortgage is due Prescott will be in a bad fix. He is one of my family and I am interested in his behalf.

I want to hear from you confidentially that we may know what to depend upon. Woodworth swears that he will keep the place till the Mortgage becomes dire and then bid in the whole place for the mortgage. We have to be guarded on our conversation for our neighbors are watching every move and every word to prove that it was a share bargain with me.  Be so kind as to put in a slip of paper in your letter to me stating to J. C. Woodworth that you will take no advantage of E. C. Mears on that Mortgage but will bid the farm in and give him a chance. I should have told you that the boys started for Pike’s Peak but muting returning emigrants who brot discouraging news, the concluded to got to California.

Excerpts from the second letter (original spelling preserved):

At your Aunt’s request I will write a few lines for her she received you letter and was glad to hear from you and your family that they are enjoying good health she got my father to write to you concerning – becous she could not write verry well he has wrote all the paticulars in regards to the mortgage you have got It is on record I have the receit to show that it is and I guess that it is signed on the back of you mortgage I suppose that the storry came from Richard but he dose not know all about it he did not like it becous Peck owed him 20 dollars but I do not know that he ought to blame him when Richard came out here Peck had sold his farm and did not want him but Richard would stay and done the chors all winter Peck paid him 10 dollars a month but could not pay him all I am glad that he has got home for he wanted to go we have had some verry warm wether the crops look well wheat will soon ne fit to cut if the crops come in well it will be better times in Minnesota about that interest money I do not know what to write I suppose Peck intended to sell his team when he got to Pikes Peak and send you the money but they have alterd their course and gon to California…