Peggy Pike Gordon, 2456 Douglas Drive, San Angelo, Texas 76904 915/949-8870
April 6, 1999


Dave, Below are the two letters that were written by my
gr-grandfather, Frederick George Louis Beuhring. He came to America as a
youth - the only member of his family to come here. He settled in Baltimore,
worked for Frederick Konig Co, the largest import company in Baltimore.
He fought in the war of 1812
in defense of Baltimore. In 1820 he married the niece of Frederick Konig and
they moved to Cabell Co, VA, now WV. He became a well to do merchant and
farmer, and was a member of the General Assembly of Virginia. His home,
Maple Grove, was on the Ohio River and the land is now part of Huntington,
WV. I came across these letters when looking for something else - I love
that kind of discovery! I found that the Maryland Historical Society have
in their manuscript collection, the papers of the Frederick Konig Company
papers. I sent for a list of the contents and found that there were personal
letters also. There were 50 letters F G L Beuhring wrote to his wife's 
uncle between 1820 and 1844. I purchased copies of all the letters and
transcribed 23 of them - the rest were in old German Script. They are really
very interesting and give you a feel for the times. Such as the 1840 letter
below - we are so used to being able to write a check, get a money order, or
bank draft to send funds anywhere in the world. F G L Beuhring was widowed
for many years and in 1848, he married Melcena McGinnis, my gr-grandmother.
After his death, she took her 5 children to Texas, where her parents and
brothers had moved a few years before. That is how I got to be a Texan!
Good luck, Peg

Letter addressed to: Fredrick Konig, Baltimore On board Steamer
CANTON, Sunday April 14th, 1839

Dear uncle, I'm on my way home from a trip to Steubenville (where Louisa is
at school at the institution under the care of the Revd. Mr Beatty) and
Pittsburg. left in the hands of Mr Vols $550 for which he has promised me 
to obtain a check in your city, or Philadelphia & send it to you. When
received & paid, I want to ask the favor of you, to remit that amount,
for my account to the Cashier of the Bank of Virga at Richmond, to the
credit of Peter Scales, when convenient for you to obtain a check or dft on
that place. I left Fanny & the children all well. We hope that yourself,
aunt and all our friends are enjoying the blessing of health – and expect
to receive by Mr Ross the confirmation of our wishes. For a long time we
have been deprived of the pleasure of hearing from our esteem friends.
Wishing them alland you, and Dear aunt in particular,health, happiness &
content, remain with< torn page > esteem. Your very obdt
Nephew & Servt F. G. L Beuhring

Letter addressed to: Mr Fredk Konig, Mercht, Baltimore, Maple Grove, Va
14th June 1840

Dear Uncle, I had the pleasure to receive some days ago, your letter of May
enclosing receipt from my mother of $100, and feel greatly obliged to you,
for your kindness, in having this money placed in her hands. I hand you
enclosed a dft for $41.28¢, on Mr Andrew Brune, (our representative in
Congress), at Sight, which please forward with the enclosed letter, to your 
correspondent, for collection, I have the Balance ready, and if no private
Conveyance present, will endeavor to get a $50 Virga note and forward it
pr mail. During the whole period of timeI have lived in this Country, I
never knew money to be so scarce. Eastern, paper is very scarce, and
currency Consists all together of western Bank notes principally Illinois
and Kentucky, Inda & Ohio. No collection of debts except by the officers of
the law. The farmer's prospect of realising the cash for his produce at
living prices are dull; we live however in hopes of a change, and better
times, so soon as by the election of old Tippecanoe, we have secured, and
shall produce, a change in the measures of the administration. While 
writing this, the Steamer Lawrence is passing by, with flying colours and
martial music, and a full load of passengers returning from great Harrison
meeting in Ohio. Since the days of Jefferson and Adams, no presidential
election has created so much excitement as the present, it extends in the
west to all classes, ages & sexes. Mary & her husband are with us on a
visit,. Fanny & the children are well, all send their love to aunt &
yourself and would rejoice to hear that you and our dear Aunt, are setting
about it in earnest to pay us a visit. Your own Carriage would carry you
comfortably to Pittsburg, in a few days and 24 hours sufficient to perform
the trip down. We will continue to hope, as you do not seem to discourage
the idea of an excursion to the west. 
Remember us to brother Frederick & Sister Louisa and believe me to be with
much regard Your obdt & obligd Nephew & Servt
Fredk G. L Beuhring 

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