Letter: Dr. Samuel Allen McCoskry to his brother Dr. William McCoskry

Thomas Foster House and Store

Thomas Foster House and Store (37E-11-07).

Letter: Dr. Samuel Allen McCoskry to his brother
Dr. William McCoskry in Detroit, 18151
This letter is filled with information about the new buildings being erected in Carlisle and the comings and goings and marriages and deaths of friends and neighbors. Note: Dr. McCoskry always begins a letter to his brother Dr. William with dear sir.

Dear Sir,
Carlisle July 16, 1815

This will be handed to you by Major Chambers; son of Col. William Chambers. He is an excellent officer. His station is in Detroit. There have been but few changes in this place since leaving us, except the death of some of the old residents. Mr. Tate and Mrs. Holmes, relict of Andrew Holmes, dec’d., were buried a few days ago. A number of others that you are not acquainted with. The town and country has been uncommonly healthy for a few years past.

Our place is improving rapidly. Mr. Foster sold a part of his corner lot to Mr. White, merchant. He and Mr. Foster has built the whole front three stories with bricks.2 The houses are elegant—Mr. Christian Leonard, father-in-law to Mr. Helfenstein has also erected a three story house with extensive back buildings opposite to the Sign of the Bear.3 George Hendel, nearly opposite to me is now erecting one sixty foot front.4 Those lofty buildings are the rage at present. Many handsome improvements are made in the back streets. We have no less than twenty stores and increase of taverns. The banks no doubt the cause of so great a change. They no doubt will produce one of a different kind shortly.

Mr. Turnbull’s family live on Alexander Nisbet’s5 farm fourteen miles from Baltimore. Mr. Krumbhaar [sic] has been in Europe with his family nearly two years, he does not return for another year. Mrs. Higginson is married to a Mr. Ashly an English gentleman who resides in Philadelphia and lives in style. Mr. Duncan’s daughter was married some time ago to Coln Wayne. He is studying law. I believe he holds the office of Adjutant General. George Lyon (son of William Lyon) lately to Miss Savage of Northampton County, Eastern Shore Virginia. He is expected daily. Thus, I have given you all the little news of the place.

I have been confined one month in consequence of an injury I received about nine miles from town. I stopped to get my horse fed. There was no hostler. I took off the bridle to let him take oats out of a tub. He immediately took fright. I held him by the reins some distance, at length fell with great force, received a wound and considerable contusion on the upper part of my forehead. The gig was broken although the horse did not run far. The second day my head became so much affected that I did not know what passed for a week. Doctors Armstrong and Chambers paid every attention. I am now able to walk about a little, but still weak. My family enjoy good health except Eliza who is very delicate. Charles graduates in September.6 The other children improved in their different branches of education. Mrs. McCoskry with the whole family beg their compliments to be presented.”

Respectfully,
Your Friend and Humble servt.
Samuel A. McCoskry

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Letter: Dr. Samuel Allen McCoskry to his brother, 1817

Dr. Samuel Allen McCoskry (1751-1818) was one of the first children born in Carlisle. He was a physician, Revolutionary War surgeon, member of the Society of the Society of Cincinnati, Trustee of Dickinson College, and son-in-law of its first president Charles Nisbet. He writes to his brother Dr. William McCoskry (1763-1831) that he and his wife are concerned about their son William’s debts and conduct as well as the impaired heath of the family.

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References (Sources Available at CCHS in bold)

1Burton Historical Society, Detroit, Michigan.
2Lot #172 North Hanover Street. In 1816 The Carlisle Bank erected its building here.
3The Sign of the Bear (later called the Pennsylvania House) was a large stone tavern on Lot #149 on the north west corner of Hanover and Louther Street. It was built in the 1780s and remained a tavern into the 20th century
4Silversmith George Hendel purchased Lot #196 on East High Street and erected the buildings when he returned from serving in the War of 1812. He kept a tavern there briefly named the Sign of General Washington. In 1823 Hendel sold the western half to John Bannister Gibson, Esq. and in 1831 he sold the eastern half to Edward Stiles.
5Alexander Nisbet was Dr. Samuel A. McCoskry’s brother-in-law.
6Charles McCoskry became a doctor in the Army and would die in St. Augustine Florida six years later.

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