Joseph (slave), Letter to Benjamin Chew, 1804

Joseph (slave), Letter to Benjamin Chew, 1804 Dec. er 5th 1804 From your plantation Front County Dear sir/ This Comes to inform you that Miss Bekcy Smyth hath broke up house keeping and has sold all off, my wife she was sold to Mr. Holinsworth in Baltimore for five years. Mr. Pearce since she went their has been so kind as to grant me the liberty to go to see her Once which I esteemed a very great favour be so kind Sir as to take this in to Consideration we have now been Man and wife this Eleven years, and I wish to be more Convenient to her, I was told by sundrie Gentlemen in Baltimore when over their, that if it was your pleasure to let me go over there for this Ensuing year they would allow you very generous wages I flatter myself that my Mistress will grant her approbation to this request. and you may both depend upon it that I will endeavour to behave myself so that I hope you never shall have reason to repent of the favour granted me should you not incline to grant the above request Mr. John Constable who owns One of the packetts in Chester Town will willingly hire me to sail to and from Baltimore with him but had I my wish I would rather be hired in Baltimore--please Sir, write me as soon as you see proper respecting this Matter, Mr. Pearce I have no fault to find with but I am uneasy in my mind being so far distant from my wife please give my humble respects to my Mistress, hoping that your self, My Mistress and all the Children are well I am Dear Sir, Y(our) [?] slave Joseph Writer Joseph Date written December 5, 1804 Paper x in x x in Pen Penmanship Style Collection Historical Society of Pennsylvania Chew family papers Collection 2050 Chew, Benjamin (1722-1810) Correspondence Joseph _____ (slave) to Benjamin Chew (1804) File name Joseph _____ 17xx-00x-00x-00x