Here is a sample of the type of documents that mean so much,
both to later historians and also to family members.

What follows is a poem written by Rebecca Leeper, the wife of Alby Bucklin, from Rockford, Minnesota to her sister in LaGrange County, Indiana. It was written sometime between 1857 when Rebecca came to Minnesota and 1861 when she died. Her sister, Lavina Leeper, later Lavina Hartman, moved to Menominee, Michigan, sometime after that latter date. The Keziah, George and Jonathan referred to in the poem were Rebecca's brothers who had come with Rebecca and her father to Minnesota. 

Here we see the troubles that a young woman from Indiana had in coming by covered wagon to Minnesota, where the Bucklin families in the wagon train claimed new homesteads. 

To Sister Lavina,

How I love thee, youngest sister Years of absence only tell - Little thought I when we parted It might be our last farewell.

When I left for Minnesota, Or the Eden Land to find, I thought not then how I should miss them, Miss the friends I left behind.

For I always had been with thee And knew not what it was to part, But at last the separation Sends an arrow to my heart.

May a ray of sweetest sunlight Fall upon their coming years Chase away the clouds of sadness, Dry the fountain of their tears.

Though I seldom weep, Lavina, Yet my heart is sad today, And the tears will start unbidden While my children round me play.

For Keziah soon will leave me And my father too, you know, Oh, may earths choistest blessings Fall upon them where ere they go.

Jonathan still lives in Hastings George has gone a'claiming too, So you see they all are going And I'll be left alone like you.

Still keep courage absent sister, Should misfortune round you play - They are but a flying shadow And may quickly pass away.

Good buy sister, till I see you, Don't forget that I am here, Look ahead into the future For it shortly will appear.

It may bring again our meeting Though we have not met for years, Then keep courage, absent sister Till the looked for time appears.

Your sister Rebecca.

Copyrights 2000 to November 22, 2007  ©  Leonard H. Bucklin  See Additional Copyright Information.