(MISSOURI) Knaus Daniel Letter from an early settler of cent

Sale 2391 - Lot 223

Price Realized: $ 688

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750

(MISSOURI.) Knaus, Daniel. Letter from an early settler of central Missouri. Autograph Letter Signed to friend Simon Ruply of Greencastle, PA, 2 pages plus integral address leaf but no postal markings; minor wear at folds; accompanied by typed transcript. (MRS) Franklin, MO, 1 January 1818

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Daniel Knaus (circa 1791-1818) and his wife Catherine left central Pennsylvania for the frontier in 1817: "What could induce me to go so much farther into a more wilderness country, which separates us at least 1000 miles. It is this to get me a home." He found land too expensive in western Kentucky, but was able to get it for "2 to 4 dollars per acre" in Howard County, Missouri, insisting that "in a short time it will come to be a great country; this town, which was only laid out a twelve month ago, contains at least 50 families and is rapidly increasing." A blacksmith, Knaus writes "I follow making guns at present . . . the country is too new to sell many sickles, but will come to be in a short time a great wheat country as the soil is most excellent." Provenance: Charles Hamilton sale, 20 May 1965, lot 10, to the consignor.