Letter signed James Gowen, St. Louis, Mo., to Thomas Croswell, Farmington Falls, Franklin County, Mo. I am frank to say that I have no doubt that she could marry well, very well, a sensible, intelligent likely man, a good tradesman--very industrious, no bad habits, and a man I should prefer for a sister or a daughter of mine to any of the little upstart aristocracy which some folk seem to think so much of…I have every reason to believe that he is sincerely attached to Rebecca. I am exceedingly gratified to hear that Mary is succeeding so well in her favorite employment, how much better for her than to have got married at 16 or 18 and been tied down with the burden of a family and for aught one can ever know perhaps an unworthy husband…it is so sickening to see young ladies act as though they thought they were made to be mere playthings--I hope and have no doubt that Mary is sensible in those things. Individuals mentioned: Charles, Daniel Davis, Father, Egbert, and Hammond. Subjects mentioned: Steamboat Dubuque. Places mentioned: Abbot and Boston., 1848 June 19, Box: 2, Folder: 2. Saint Louis History Collection, A1427. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center.

Letter signed James Gowen, St. Louis, Mo., to Thomas Croswell, Farmington Falls, Franklin County, Mo. I am frank to say that I have no doubt that she could marry well, very well, a sensible, intelligent likely man, a good tradesman--very industrious, no bad habits, and a man I should prefer for a sister or a daughter of mine to any of the little upstart aristocracy which some folk seem to think so much of…I have every reason to believe that he is sincerely attached to Rebecca. I am exceedingly gratified to hear that Mary is succeeding so well in her favorite employment, how much better for her than to have got married at 16 or 18 and been tied down with the burden of a family and for aught one can ever know perhaps an unworthy husband…it is so sickening to see young ladies act as though they thought they were made to be mere playthings--I hope and have no doubt that Mary is sensible in those things. Individuals mentioned: Charles, Daniel Davis, Father, Egbert, and Hammond. Subjects mentioned: Steamboat Dubuque. Places mentioned: Abbot and Boston., 1848 June 19, Box: 2, Folder: 2. Saint Louis History Collection, A1427. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center. https://mohistory.mobiusconsortium.org/repositories/2/archival_objects/17076 Accessed September 19, 2024.