Title: Samuel Leffers correspondence with his brother John Lefferts

Identifier: 0099-b1-fb   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/86884)

Description: Correspondence written by Samuel Leffers of Beaufort, North Carolina, to his brother, John Lefferts at Long Island, New York. A March 19, 1800, letter describes the fevers raging in the principal towns of coastal North Carolina, particularly New Bern, Edenton, and Washington. Other Leffers correspondence speaks of the "dull" times in trading with the English and French Caribbean Islands since the peace in Europe (May 1802); frequency of mail delivery from New Bern to Beaufort; and severe hurricanes that struck the coast of North Carolina in 1803 and 1815 and the subsequent losses reported in crops, ships, homes, and livestock. Additional letters report on the fever (presumably yellow fever) that was raging in Philadelphia, New York, and New Haven (1805); the establishment of a post office in Beaufort (1805); the effect of local sentiment concerning the embargo (1809); and the construction of Fort Hampton at Beaufort (1809). A letter of July 20, 1812, reports that the "alarms of war" had sounded and a battalion of militia was being raised to station at Fort Hampton. Also, concerning the effect of the War of 1812 on Beaufort, there is a May 15, 1814, letter that indicates that the actual influx had increased and the price of goods had not altered significantly. Creator: Samuel Leffers - 1800-1821