1833 Stampless Letter Pittsburgh to Carlisle, PA Judge Benjamin Patton Caustic

Description

1833 Stampless Letter Pittsburgh to Carlisle, PA Judge Benjamin Patton Caustic Content.  Letter written in 1833 from Benjamin Patton to his soon to be wife Matilda Helfenstein of Carlisle, PA. Patton was born in 1810 in Bellefonte, PA. His Grand Father was a Lieutenant in the French and Indian War under George Washington and his great Uncle Benjamin Patton was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Patton passed the bar and at the age of 22 was appointed by President Jackson as the U.S. District Attorney of Western Pennsylvania--a position he held for almost 12 years. Patton and Helfenstein would wed in 1834 and have two children. This letter gives us a good idea of Patton observational skills and caustic views on life. He makes great fun of choir members of an Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh but leaves his harshest comment for the pastor, "I never had any wish for the bigoted opinions and exclusive doctrines of its present pastor." He remarks on a recent wedding with his unsaid thoughts for the groom, "sir, your marriage within six months of the death of your first wife evinces a degree of heartlessness, at which the most unfeeling Black-foot would shudder." Patton travels on business to Uniontown, PA via stage and steam boat. On the way he had a nice view of the scene of Braddock's defeat in the French and Indian War, where his grand father "had his arm broke in the battle."  In part, due to the purchase of a library and travel, Patton finds himself in debt about three hundred and fifty dollars. "With ordinary luck I hope to disperse of this debt." He ends the letter, "I kiss you many many times. I will think long about you to night and I will love you very dearly."
Very legible. Several small areas torn by seal. Bold black Pittsburgh, PA postmark with red PAID stamp and manuscript 10 cent mark.