A letter from Ben’s father, John Elliot, asking for $1,000 for Ben to pay off the mortgage that is facing foreclosure.
Please leave a comment below with your reaction to this letter. We are interested in your thoughts about the Levi’s Letters Project.
Object ID Line 175
John is critical of his and cousin Levi’s Uncle Stephen Steward. Stephen being brother to his mother (Lucy Steward Elliot) and Levi’s father. Stephen never had children and acquired considerable property on the Corinna-No. Newport boundary. John points out that his son Ben had worked hard for Uncle Stephen who should now help Ben pay his $1,000 mortgage. John also paints Uncle Stephen as miserly because he didn’t help Stephen Smith who probably is a half-brother. John Elliot’s father allegedly died at sea before John was a year old and his mother Lucy married 2nd John Smith. Uncle Stephen was more likely held in higher regard by his beneficiaries.