Autograph letter signed (“Wm. Makepeace”), one page with integral address/docket leaf, dated May 27, 1812, Franklin, Massachusetts. A vivid and unusually detailed example of early 19th-century rural correspondence documenting a neighbor dispute over wandering livestock and property damage. In this sharply worded but controlled letter, Makepeace responds to Nathaniel Mayer’s complaint regarding sheep trespass. He acknowledges the incident but firmly counters by cataloging repeated incursions by Mayer’s own animals: “Your sheep have been in my mowing… your cattle… your swine… your geese destroyed more corn for me in one year than my creatures ever did you damage…” The letter provides a rich, firsthand account of agrarian life and informal property norms, illustrating how neighbors balanced tolerance, reciprocity, and escalating tension. Makepeace underscores his restraint: “I did not confine them nor threaten you with impounding them…” while warning that strict enforcement could destabilize community relations: “a measure that will involve a neighbourhood in a very disagreeable situation.” He concludes with a conciliatory note, requesting the release of his sheep and promising better control going forward. The reverse contains a partially written petition addressed to the Selectmen of Franklin, referencing hardship and insufficient means, along with later pencil notations and accounts—adding layers of social and economic context to the document. Condition: Good. Age toning, edge wear, and fold separations consistent with early American manuscripts. Some light loss at fold intersections; writing remains largely legible. Docketing and later manuscript annotations present on verso. Significance: A compelling artifact of early New England rural life, this letter captures: Everyday legal and social customs regarding livestock trespass Informal dispute resolution before escalation to town authorities The economic importance of mowing fields, corn, and pasture Community dynamics in a small Massachusetts town on the eve of the War of 1812 Manuscripts of this type—rich in narrative detail and illustrating practical rural conflicts—are increasingly scarce and highly desirable for collectors of early American history, agriculture, and social life. An engaging and relatable piece that vividly humanizes early 19th-century neighbor relations.
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Mr. Nathl Mayer Sir I rec’d a line from you that you have taken up my sheep in damage and have confined them in your yard. Sir I am sorry to have any of my creatures do any of my neighbours any damage. I fenced a pasture yesterday & that my sheep but through mistake there was a place left where they got out last night. You wrote to have me come and pay the damage. Sir I could have the opportunity of taking up some of your creatures almost every day. Your sheep have been in my mowing several times this spring, last year & years before they have been in my mowing field and corn but I did not confine them nor threaten you with impounding them. Your cattle have been in my mowing field several times this spring, last year I drove out of my cornfield as much as 15 or 16 of your swine at 2 or 3 several times, yet I never confined them, and several years ago your geese destroyed more corn for me in one year than my creatures ever did you damage since I lived in town, & your geese are now in my mowing and have been there a great part of this spring, & sir I receive a great damage every year by you and your men crossing my mowing field going to and from the Aldin farm all which I have put up with without calling on you for damages. Sir if you wish to take this meas- ure that when a neighbours creatures happen to get into your inclosure to confine them and threaten to impound them, it will perhaps be no more than what most men would do to retaliate, altho it is a measure that will involve a neighbourhood in a very disagreeable situation. Sir if you have a mind to liberate the sheep I shall endeavour to take care of them. May the 27th 1812 yours &c Wm. Makepeace Docket / reverse (partial): To the Select men of Franklin We under sign your petitioner Resident in the town of Franklin Now complains to the select men of sd Franklin for some present Relief my self and 3 small Children are in a Suffering Condition Not having sufficient means to
