The original letter is followed by an easier to read transcript. Joseph provides affectionate counsel to his son, who is beginning to achieve some financial success in the west.

He goes on to be glad that the political climate seems more favorable to business but prays that the current and future administrations will always lead with wisdom for the good of the nation. In early 1841 the country was still in the grip of a deep recession in the wake of the financial Panic of 1837.

Joseph's letter was penned in January 1841 so he is probably referring to the upcoming inauguration of William Henry Harrison of the pro-business Whig party, who took office on March 4, 1841. Little did anyone know that Harrison would die of pneumonia in his first month in office. Whig Vice President John Tyler succeeded Harrison in April, 1841 (yes, the 1840 election had featured the slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler too").

Joseph Bacon's son, Granville's amazing Henry Bacon, lived the kind of life you can't make up. He was in the right place at the right time, achieved much, lost much, but according to his obituary which follows the transcript, he was always generous.

Joseph and Abigail Bacon are buried in the Silver Street Cemetery.]]> Henry Bacon Obituary: 1893]]>