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Can You Read Cursive Handwriting?

mandoracmt

If so, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) needs your help!


One of my most treasured items of ancestral history is a letter written to Aaron Ballard (my 3rd-great-grandfather) by his father, Amos Ballard, in the month and year July 1841.


Letter written by Amos Ballard of Grayson County, Virginia, to his son Aaron Ballard of Jefferson Township, Henry County, Indiana, in July 1841 (page 1, original), held at the Henry County Historical Society, New Castle, Ind.
Letter written by Amos Ballard of Grayson County, Virginia, to his son Aaron Ballard of Jefferson Township, Henry County, Indiana, in July 1841 (page 1, original), held at the Henry County Historical Society, New Castle, Ind.

Letter written by Amos Ballard of Grayson County, Virginia, to his son Aaron Ballard of Jefferson Township, Henry County, Indiana, in July 1841 (page 2, original), held at the Henry County Historical Society, New Castle, Ind.
Letter written by Amos Ballard of Grayson County, Virginia, to his son Aaron Ballard of Jefferson Township, Henry County, Indiana, in July 1841 (page 2, original), held at the Henry County Historical Society, New Castle, Ind.

There were several areas of the letter that were difficult to decipher, but, with time, I was able to transcribe the entire document. I often wonder what Aaron had written to Amos in "November last half" because Aaron's fourth child, also named Amos Ballard (my 2nd-great-grandfather), was born on 24 February 1840. Did Aaron send word of the newest Ballard boy, named after his father? As far as I know, that correspondence no longer exists.


My favorite part of this letter is the valediction: "I Remain yours with Love Amos Ballard."


Tangible history is the best! I have held this letter written by a man born in 1770 to his son born in 1796...what a fabulous connection to my ancestors.

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