Scope and ContentTranscripts of four letters written or received by Wallin family members with note, likely written by Kit Lane, to give historical context. --- Note: Franklin B. Wallin had apprenticed to the tannery trade as a boy and in 1853 the firm of C. C. Wallin & Sons, which included his father, his brother, Thomas, and himself, purchased an old tannery which had been built on Goshorn Creek about 1844 by Wells and Johnson. Wallin and Sons already had an interest in a tannery at Plummerville, and a large store specializing in leather in Chicago. They would later also buy the old Gerber tannery in Douglas. Franklin had married Orcelia Tanner in 1857 and the couple soon begun work on a new house near the tannery. That house still stands at 6473 135th Avenue and in 1992 its present owners, Bill and Molly Baker, were remodeling the kitchen when they discovered a small cache of letters in the ceiling rafters. The first concerns an earlier letter that Franklin had written to his father noting that the couple wanted to purchase a piano for the parlor. The response was quick and emphatic. Portions of the letters that are mouse-chewed, or too faded to read or indicated by [ ]. --- 1 Chicago Sept 2nd 1859 Frank -- Yours upon the Piano business is to hand. Its contents and Spirit carefully noted. Now parents are almost useless except to grumble at their children. I suppose I am the only person living that would take the trouble to tell you the truth, or in others words to differ with you upon any matter that might come up about your own affairs. Now I know it makes but little difference to me whether you buy a Piano or not, but I don't think it is so to you. Now I think every body that deals with you in the house or out of it will say well never mind our boss is rich, he keeps a Piano. He can stand it. The Girls in the house always expect more price where the Lady of the house keep a Piano and they will be more liberal handed with every thing there is in the house. The men in the Shop will say, well I guess our Boss can afford to pay more wages, times must be flush with him, he has got a new Piano. The whole neighborhood will charge you more for any thing they have to sell or that you want of them because you keep a Piano. A man with a Piano in his house ought immediately to double the number of his Spare beds -- to all benevolent objects -- and objects of charity he must double his subscription. Indeed if his minister or his [ ] family want anything he can't easily refuse it without causing great dissatisfaction. But after all the real mischief will be with your own house hold and your own employees. They will change more price and won't work so well. The fact is when persons have things about them that are peculiarities of the rich, they must pay rich prices. There is no dodging that. Charles Fowler said that a young man needed a Father most after he was 21 years of age and in business for himself than at any other time in his life. Now I will suppose you to be a looker on and you had an acquaintance, a young man recently married, prospect of family immediately before him, health not very good. Tanner, with but little property. You found he wanted a Piano. What would be your thoughts upon the subject? Now I have only found today that the Piano at my house did not come there by my consent. Your mother bought it, paid $100 dollars for it and agreed to pay for the whole of it with her own money, it has always been a great eye sore to me. I have never felt well enough off to keep it in the house. Now, if these thoughts are just and right and can be of any use to you. I shall feel well paid for putting them on paper About drawing money from the concern. I took the property on the [????] side from the concern at $7000 [?] Dollars It was a bad bargain. Now I couldn't sell it at $4000. I took this property more [ ] on your account that you might not have so much interest to pay. I am using the proceeds of that property to pay [ ] and not dealing out of concern for your interests. I hope you do not conclude that what I have to say if from ill nature. I believe it is as unpleasant for me to advise contrary to what I know your feelings are as it is for you to hear me. and I will further say that my advice may clash with your feelings for the moment but it will be for your interests in the end. Is it not possible to find a place in that Tannery for Edwin to work this winter. I don't know what in the world to do with him. Try again to get a book of qualifications to enter that school. -Father Note: Edwin was apparently Frank's brother, the youngest Wallin son, born to C. C. (Charles Curtis) and his wife, Dorothy Strongitharm Wallin in 1846. Although C. C. dabbled in a nearly continuous stream of real estate, farming, manufacturing and retail ventures (he was even appointed postmaster of Buchanan in the 1850s.), he was a trained physician and continued in this profession for most of his life. Did Franklin get his piano? There is no direct word, but in a 1933 book about the family, Frank's son Van A. Wallin notes that his sister, Elizabeth, was "an excellent pianist "and later became a music teacher in Wisconsin. *** Note: Franklin B. Wallin and his new wife, were part of a group of people who decided to form a Congregational Church in Saugatuck. They chose as the first pastor of the church C. H. Eaton, who had been living at Summit, near Jackson. Eaton why had apparently told his interviewers that he could be in Saugatuck by the, following Sunday, changed his mind, after he surveyed the packing that needed to be done. He decided to ship the household goods by train to Allegan. Bro. Alert was a member of the committee from Allegan. --- 2 Summit Nov 30th 1859 Dear bro. Wallin I arrived at home on Wednesday evening and found all well. After looking around a little I found that it would be impossible for me to pack up, settle up and get out to your place by Sat. Evening Dec. 3rd so I have given it up. I expect to send my goods to Ann Arbor to be shipped to Kalamazoo immediately. I send them to Ann Arbor tomorrow Dec 1 st. I found my horse unsold and therefore shall take him out and wait for a chance to do better. I shall go as far as I can on Friday, Sat & perhaps Monday & Tuesday before I ship my horse & buggy on the cars if it is pleasant. If my goods are shipped immediately as they probably will be they will be in Kalamazoo as soon as your teams can get there next week. You can ascertain the probabilities of getting my goods from Allegan to your place by boat. That would be cheaper and less trouble to you. But I leave it to your judgement to decide. If you think it best to try and get them by boat send the enclosed line to Bro. Alert and he will get teams to haul the goods to Allegan. Hoping to see you soon I subscribe myself your friend and bro in Christ C. H. Eaton PS I shall be in Kalamazoo and pay the charges on the goods before the teams will get there next week. CHE Note: No team met the train in Kalamazoo, so Eaton sent a second letter by way of E.D. Billings who drove a regular stage route between Saugatuck and Allegan. The Oliver bedstead factory opened in Allegan in 1854 and Eaton notes that he has purchased some of its wares and will include his new bedsteads in the household goods that needed to be hauled to Saugatuck. The First Congregational Church of Saugatuck has always dated its beginning to a meeting held at the Saugatuck school house January 11, 1860. From the dates on these letters it would appear that organization was well in hand before the official meeting. --- 3 Allegan Dec 6th 1859 Dear bro. Wallin Having arrived here last night and ascertained that probably you had not received my letter written and mailed last Thursday I write and send you this line by the stage driver Mr. Billings. My goods came to Kalamazoo Sat morning. I saw them stored and paid the freight and am anxious to get them removed to Saugatuck as soon as possible. I shall have to pay storage after Tomorrow at the rate of 63 cts per day. I wish if possible that two teams may start tomorrow after them. Two of the boxes are quite bulky. The rest are compact. They weigh 21000 twenty one hundred. We shall perhaps stay over until tomorrow before we come down. I am here with wife & children, horse & carriage. I shall buy 2 bedsteads here and wish them to be taken from here by the team with the rest of the goods. Hoping to see you and talk face to face soon. Your sincere friend & bro in Christ Jesus C. H. Eaton Note: The Allegan firm of Williams & Moyers ( W. B. Williams and Gilbert Moyers) was engaged to assist the C. C. Null in and Sons with a legal problem in 1859. Thomas and William Pincheon (spelled Pinching in the letter) were Irish-born tanners who lived in Ganges Township. Wells and Johnson had sold the Wallins some interest in the Plummerville Tannery in Ganges about 1850 and had sold the Goshorn Creek operation to them outright in 1853. The legal question was whether Wells and Johnson knew, and did not disclose, that a mortgage existed an the property at the time of the sale. Since the Pincheons both lived in Ganges Township in 1850 it is likely the question concerns the Plummerville transaction. Moyers must also have been a personal friend. Hence the postscript on the political scene. The Democratics, especially in Michigan, were torn by inter party quarrels. Moyer favored William H. Seward, U. S. Senator from New York. as the Republican candidate for the presidential election of 1860. Instead the party nominated Abraham Lincoln and Seward campaigned across Michigan, urging Lincoln's election. Appointed to Lincoln's cabinet as Secretary of State, Seward is most famous for his purchase of Alaska. --- 4 Allegan, Mich. Nov 16th 1859 F. B. Wallin Esq. Dear Sir On further examination of Mr. Pinchings case I am satisfied that we must show that Msrs. Wells & Johnson at the time of taking their mortgage knew of Williams claim. My first Scruples in regard to subsequent accruing equities were well founded. Yet cannot this item of evidence be supplied. It appears from your letter that Mr. Sanders was present at the time the first mortgage was executed and heard William forbid Thomas executing a mortgage on his land. Now what I wish to know is was either wells or Johnson present at that time? William can recover the land as against the widow of Thomas Pinching and his heirs. This is clear. The only obstacle in the way is the Mortgage title and if we can prove that wells & Johnson had notice of Williams claim we are all right as to that. The 80 that Williams claims now [... ] the mortgage for $250 26/100. Should we fail to secure the necessary evidence to defeat the mortgage title would it not pay to redeem and then enforce his claim against the widow and heirs of Thomas? You can rely upon it he (William) can recover his land and remove the mortgage title. Please inform me who Williams heirs are as they must be made parties. Where does his father live and what is his name? Answer by return mail and oblige. Yours truly G. Moyers. NB The Democratic Party has recently departed this life and bequeathed to the Republican party all the free states East of the rocky mountains. Sewards chances are good.. GM