Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War
1837 Four Kalamazoo, Michigan Stampless and Highly Descriptive TRAVEL LETTERS by Nathaniel Marsh
1837 Kalamazoo, Michigan Collection of Four Stampless Descriptive TRAVEL LETTERS having excellent period content, Very Fine.
Terrific Group 1837 Kalamazoo, Michigan Stampless Descriptive TRAVEL LETTERS
Terrific group of four stampless folded letters (all dated 1837) written by Nathaniel Marsh in Kalamazoo, Michigan and sent to his uncle Samuel Marsh in New York City. See Nathaniel's biography below - and Samuel is referenced in the last paragraph.
There is great contemporary travel content, with descriptions of the parts of Michigan he is traveling through, the land being available to buy, local economic conditions, and more. A great find for a Kalamazoo or Michigan history buff. All have lovely Red stamped Kalamazoo Postmarks. (4 items)
Nathaniel Marsh (1815-1864), was the son of David Marsh, Jr. (1767-1854) and Sarah Colby (1771-1834). Nathaniel grew up in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts and was educated at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts but then moved to New York State where he became the First Assistant Postmaster of NYC, and was then made Secretary of the New York and Erie Railroad.
After a time, in 1861, he was elevated to be President of the Erie Railroad. Nathaniel was married to Elisa Atherton Brooks (1814-1846) in May 1839. About the time of these Letters, in 1842, the couple had two young children, Sarah and James. Nathaniel died in 1864 at the age of 49. There has been some speculation that the news of the Great Shohola Train Wreck that occurred just prior to his death may have hastened his death.
Nathaniel was mentored by his uncle Samuel Marsh (1786-1872), who united with others businessmen to promote the development of canals and railroad in the United States. In his advanced years, Samuel made his home in the Astor Hotel in New York City.