1838 NEW HAVEN CT LETTER ALFRED TERRY - FATHER OF CIVIL WAR GEN ALFRED H TERRY

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1838 NEW HAVEN CT LETTER ALFRED TERRY - FATHER OF CIVIL WAR GEN ALFRED H TERRY:
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1838 NEW HAVEN CTLETTER FROM ALFRED TERRY -FATHER OFCIVIL WAR GENERAL ALFRED H. TERRY - COMMANDED THE EXPEDITION WHICH CAPTURED FORT FISHER, N.C. -THE LETTER IS WRITTEN TO ALFRED TERRY\'S FATHER, NATHANIEL TERRY AT HARTFORD, CT.- HE SERVED IN THE U.S. CONGRESS, 1817-1819 AND WAS MAYOR OF HARTFORD.

1pg. letter, approx. 7-5/8\" x 10\", dated at New Haven, Ct.,July 3,1838, from Alfred Terry, to his father, Nathaniel Terry, at Hartford, Ct.

Folded letter hasblue \"NEW-HAVEN/Ct.\"cds postmark, dated July 4th,and manuscript \"10\" rate.

The writer of this letter, Alfred Terry, (1802-1860), graduated from Yale in 1821. He married Clarissa Howe, and practiced law in Hartford, 1824-1831, but then moved his family to New Haven, and from this letter and others in the correspondence, seems unable to earn a living, constantly asking for small sums from his father to help meet his expenses and support his family. He later served at Town Clerk of New Haven, 1843-1856. Among his children, was Alfred Howe Terry, (1827-1890), Civil War General, noted for commanding the expedition which captured Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, N.C., in Jan., 1865, closing the last port city available to the Confederacy; After the Civil War, he remained in the Army, commanded expeditions against the Indians, was Commander of the Dakota Territory, 1866-1869 & 1872-1886. He is generally considered one of the most capable Generals with no previous military training to emerge from the Civil War.

The letter is written to Alfred Terry\'s father (and future General Alfred H. Terry\'s grandfather), Nathaniel Terry, (1768-1844), graduated from Yale College in 1786; Admitted to the Bar in 1790 and practiced law in Hartford; Member of the Ct. State Constitutional Convention, 1818; In U.S. Congress, 1817-1819;President of the Hartford Fire Insurance Co., 1810-1835; Mayor of Hartford, Ct., 1824-1831; General in the State Militia.

The letter has great content, in which Alfred Terry writes that he is going to New York Citytomorrow to try to find some work, because he finds it \"impossible to procure any employment here\", and notes that after leaving his wife enough money to care for the family, he\'ll only leave with about $4, and asks his father to send$5 or $10 to him at NYC. He also thanks his father for sending them a half barrel of Shad, which \"prove very good\".Merits further research into why this Yale graduate and attorney, with a wife and family, was constantly in want of money to support his family, couldn\'t find work in New Haven, and practically lived off of the funds sent to him by hiselderly father.

The letter reads:

\"My dear Father, I am going to New York tomorrow in search of something to do, for I find it impossible to procure any employment here, & I cannot remain idle any longer. After leaving with Clarissa what money is necessary for my family, I shall leave here with about $4. Can you send to me in N.Y. $10 or $5? If you can, it would be best merely to direct the letter to me at N. Yk., as I do not know where I shall lodge, & I can get it from the Post Office.

We are all well, & Clarissa unites with me in much love to all.

The half barrel of Shad arrived in good order, & prove very good. I thank you much for them.

YourAffect. Son,

Alfred SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.