John Lambert Esq. to Thomas Dennis<\/strong>^{1<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n}

I am going to backtrack a couple years from the first letter that Lambert wrote to his granddaughter Susan Hoppock in 1807.<\/p>\n

Thomas Dennis was John Lambert’s\u00ac\u2020son-in-law,\u00ac\u2020the son of his second wife Hannah Little and her first husband Benjamin Dennis.\u00ac\u2020At the time, Lambert was in his first term as a U. S. Representative, having just been elected. Previous to this he had served in the New Jersey legislative council, or state senate.2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

It is clear that he left the care of his homestead in the hands of Thomas Dennis during his absence in Washington, and the instructions he includes show some of his anxiety about that, with special concern that things be properly prepared for the coming winter.<\/p>\n

Lambert wrote in a sort of stream of consciousness fashion, jumping back and forth between farm matters, family matters and business in Washington, so\u00ac\u2020I have divided the letter into paragraphs to make it easier to follow.<\/p>\n

Mr. Thomas Dennis
\nNear Coryell’s Ferry, New Jersey
\nTo Post Office at Trenton, Mr. Wilson’s care<\/p>\n

Washington, Dec. 26, 1805<\/p>\n

Sir:
\nI received yours of the 13th inst. and I am obliged to you for it, you give a good account of the work, if you will continue during my absence to manage well, it will be a very pleasing thing to me. I am sorry for Elijah’s troubles and for his wife, but he should be resigned, tell him that although I do not write him a letter I have not forgot him, and I hope he will do the best he can for me in my absence.<\/p>\n

I want my sweet grape vines laid down and covered with straw, be sure you stop the windows of the cellar well with horse dung, to save the potatoes, if we should get cold weather this winter. The time\u00ac\u2020past hath been very warm here and but little rain.<\/p>\n

I have been to Alexandria last Saturday, George Coryell was well but his wife much amis with s’anthony fire. I came back the same day. I dined with the President on the 25th. That likeness at home is pretty good.<\/p>\n

I have wrote to you about the young cattle to be fed at the Hay Barracks at the river last week. I suppose you must have it by this time.<\/p>\n

I shall continue to send papers to New Hope which Mr. Rap will send to Uncle Jo’ Lambert. I am sorry I have no picture to send my little Achsah, tell her I don’t forget her, and suppose you must remember me to Amelia Hannah and Betsey.<\/p>\n

If they will want more hay, you must hall it from the river, and put it up safe for them.<\/p>\n

I am well my love to Achsah and yourself and you will please to tell John Lambert and his wife I think of them and Tho’ and Achsah. Dennis and little Achsah.<\/p>\n

[signed] Jno. Lambert<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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