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Very rare ORIGINAL 1848 letter from well known clergyman James Reid of Beaver PA.
He was the first resident pastor of the St Peter + Paul Catholic Church in Beaver, beginning in 1847.
There is a lot of Beaver County historical information available concerning Rev. Reid.
The letter was acquired with other Reid family letters in a Western PA auction in 2016.
This four page letter was written on July 25, 1848 to his nephew Bernard "BJ" Reid
who was living in St Louis MO at this time.
There is mention of other family members such as Bernard's three sisters (and James Reid's nieces) who have just arrived at his new home in Beaver for an extended visit, Mary, Catherine, and Ellen.  Also, "John" was the older brother of Bernard who transported the girls to Beaver from Clarion.
Reid gives several details of the home.
As expected, the Reverend goes into great details with his religious writing.
Reid also drops other names in Pittsburgh and Clarion County PA.
Interesting to note, Reid left several possessions in his will to those three nieces who stayed with him,
some 20 years earlier.
Materials and images used in research are for review only, and NOT included with the item for sale in this listing.
PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THE IMAGES BELOW THIS DESCRIPTION + TRANSCRIPTION
Letter has survived in VG condition. 
As for the transcription, I was able to decipher about 95%.  
Dear Bernard                                                                       Beaver PA 25 July1848
I hereby acknowledge the rect of your favor 10th ?? $ and in reply I inform you of the safe arrival of the girls accompanied by John. 
They have been here more than a week.  I had the new house and home furnished for them.  They only brought some bedding + carpeting.  John will remain a little time longer to rest himself and prepare for returning, to wind up all his business there + then in Westmoreland.  I take occasion to state further that I hope you will all look on this domicile as your home when you can make it convenient to come.  I have a private chapel dedicated to the glorious + blessed Virgin Mary above stairs and commenced services by offering the Holy Sacrifice in it this morning the feast of my patron Saint.  Thus the girls may deem themselves happy by having the altar so near them.  Mary’s room is adjoining the chapel.   Catherine + Ellen’s room is in the
opposite wing or part of the house.  Mary has a sitting room with a comfortable fireplace with a bed chamber adjoining + corresponding to my own rooms below stairs.   Catherine’s room is large with a fireplace directly over the parlor.  Thus you may conceive that we may be satisfied here ??? if not too hard to please.
I have Divine Service at our church of St. Peter + Paul about a mile from this house at the end of Beaver town the 3rd + 4th Sundays of every month.  The girls have taken charge of the Sunday School + have their own pew.
 
Now, as regards your jeremiad  I certainly sympathize with you judging the tenderness of your heart and feelings by your words.  “Vanitas Vanitatum” is the best answer I can give you.  All under the sun is vanity except to know God + Him
alone to serve.   The ??? of your short career with corresponding associations + localities bear especially on your youthful mind.  I am convinced but like the tender plant which is the essence of natural beauty when imperiled by the dew of Heaven at early dawn.  Seek to cherish a love for the dew of Divines grace enough to alienate your affections from all earthly objects to the prejudice of that love which is due to God alone.  Restrain every emotion which would be at variance with this first principle of a Sincere Christian.  I hope that you will be able to visit us at least once a year and by giving me notice previously I shall so arrange matters as I have the whole family assembled here to meet you at Home ie James, John + the girls.  This itself might be the amelioration and an antidote for your soliloquy.   Our best disposition of mind is resignation – a thorough resignation to God’s providence.  In me, you have a sample of a variable + changing life as to localities at least.  I think those changes are at an end.  As I propose to deed this property to the bishop to which he replied that I must keep it myself as a home.
 
I met Mrs. Connolly at Pittsburg sometime since.  She informed me of your good health.  I wish you to write to me frequently whenever you can take time.  I shall be always pleased + be prepared to give you the current news.  Young Counsellor Keenan will call on you, no doubt, while sojourning in your city.  I met him at Pittsburg on my way to Youngstown to the academic exercises of St Xavier’s.  He told me he would call on you.  Give my best wishes to Mrs. Garry + family and all enquiring friends.  John will write to you soon.  I am much pleased with John.  I went to see him at the Furnace when I was in Clarion County.  And he came to church to Clarion the Sunday I was there.  My good opinion of him still continues the same.  Rev’d Mr Dean is now pastor of Clarion and resides at Mr. Kelly’s.  Mr. James Karr I believe is much better.  All other friends as usual as far as I know.
In conclusion. I have to say that I desire to hear from you or receive a line after the receipt of this.  Wishing you every happiness + true contentment.  I remain your affectionate Uncle.  
James Reid
B.J. Reid
 
(Addressee)
Bernard J. Reid Esq
St. Louis Missouri
 
(Postmark)
Beaver Pa JUL 26