Whateley March the -13 1832

Major Stebbens

Sir I have concluded to go to york
this Summer on my olde Business Selling
Brooms I am aware that the undertaking
may prove dishonorable to me I have all sorts
of people to deal with and it is hard to suit all
I do not no as you wish me to do any thing for you
but if you should Sir I should be happy to do
with you as I have done it is a late thing [document torn]
I have made up my mind to go, and as you
have been one of my best friends I wish to notify
you the going is bad I thout I would drop a line
I do not claim any obligation I give you many thanks
for what you have done and wish you to manage
to suit your own feelings in futer if Mr Baxter Stebbins
or any other gentleman in Deerfield should like to send
any brooms by me I will endeaver to do the best for them
I can I think I cannot buy any untill I have ben
once to york please to drop a line to me by return
of Maile and I will come to Deerfield if you think
best I wish to no soon if I take any at Deerfield
I must take less below

yours Truley
Richard T Morton

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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Broomcorn was a significant crop in the Connecticut River Valley for about fifty years in the 19th century as farmers looked for alternatives to the beef cattle business. Dennis (1778-1842) and Baxter (1793-1862) Stebbins of Deerfield, Massachusetts, were in the business of manufacturing brooms. Dennis, on Lot 39, had a broom shop behind his house. Mr. Morton, the writer of the letter offers to take the Stebbinses' brooms to sell in New York City. It seems he has done business with them before and now needs a way to pay his debts.

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