An Interesting letter
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:09 pm
The Bullitt family papers - Oxmoor collection has an interesting letter that should interest John and Gary, if nobody else. The first paragraph is very interesting. The letter is from J[ohn] Brown to William Christian. Here is a transcript:
Crour Station June 17th 1784
Dear Sir
Your letter from the store I recd. a few days ago informing me the scarcity of provisions and poverty of horses prevents the coming of the Negroes which I am sorry to hear as I am oblige to give such enormous Wages for worke men. I have got Mud Garrison settled again by a very clever Industrious set of people they put in repair and give one fifth of what they make and at the fall move off to their own place. I have procured about 90 bushels of Rye and mean to sow the greater part of it as I find I can make a great deal by distilling of Rye; provisions I hope will not be as scarce as i once thought it would by reason of a large quantity of flour coming down and Tolerable crop of wheat raised.
The letter goes on to discuss his store and salt business as well as some legal depositions made from people in the neighborhood. What I find most interesting is the fact that he appears to have already distilled some rye and found it profitable enough to raise a crop of rye to make some more. This is very early Kentucky distilling. You have to wonder if he streched his supply of rye by adding corn to the mash as well.
Crour Station June 17th 1784
Dear Sir
Your letter from the store I recd. a few days ago informing me the scarcity of provisions and poverty of horses prevents the coming of the Negroes which I am sorry to hear as I am oblige to give such enormous Wages for worke men. I have got Mud Garrison settled again by a very clever Industrious set of people they put in repair and give one fifth of what they make and at the fall move off to their own place. I have procured about 90 bushels of Rye and mean to sow the greater part of it as I find I can make a great deal by distilling of Rye; provisions I hope will not be as scarce as i once thought it would by reason of a large quantity of flour coming down and Tolerable crop of wheat raised.
The letter goes on to discuss his store and salt business as well as some legal depositions made from people in the neighborhood. What I find most interesting is the fact that he appears to have already distilled some rye and found it profitable enough to raise a crop of rye to make some more. This is very early Kentucky distilling. You have to wonder if he streched his supply of rye by adding corn to the mash as well.