7. 1869

These are parts of undated letters sent by Sven Petter, mostly to Victor about coming to America.  I have dated them 1969 because they follow others about the same subject.  Even though he is ill, Sven Petter is trying to help his siblings.  Johan August has already come to America.


Andover  IL 1869

Something else I want to let you know about is the sale of grain, which is only a little.  I have 18 buyers every day (?).  Sometimes I have 6 horses, 12 cattle and 25-30 pigs.  Every year I need grain to feed horses and pigs.  I have large expenses and small income.  Here we have winter rye, but we mostly use spring wheat.  Broom rye we use to sweep the cottage.

To go from Sweden to here the money shrinks.  If you have four thousand you get 12 hundred in dollars.  I am a little disappointed with Hans money.  He had $200 left after he had bought a few household things and a stove.  He cannot do anything for me next year because he does not know how to drive a couple of horses.

My friends and brothers, I am a poor writer because the sun has burned me so I am shaky and am failing as a man.

You should know that you must promise to spell and read in pounds and you will be here a little quicker to get together wheat so you can soon eat.

Brother Victor is going to Spakarp to think over what to do with the farm.  My younger brothers would not be one day in Sweden if they were thinking right, but I will not force any of them.

S. P. Swenson

I will say that if brother Hans comes alone, I think he will be satisfied and manage well.

Brother Victor, read this little note at last, because I have written much in the two others before, which you perhaps have not understood.  I leave it entirely up to you to go or not to go.  If you have a farm and have settled down, there is some possibility to get enough to make a living, you should stay.  But if you see that it is not enough, do not wait too long so you will be without enough money for the trip.  In that case it will be too late.  Do you understand that?  Nearly all maids and farmhands ought to quickly go.  But I will not force or entice anybody.

Therefore, search your happiness while you are young.  When you get old it is too late.  (I think Sven knows he is dying and is only 37 years old.)


S. P. Swenson

You talk about coming together.  It  can be ok but "the old" should stay and die in Sweden.  It will not pay at all if they come, because Father has bad health.  You have the right to go to a new country.

Sister Lovisa sends her greetings.  She is well.  She is fine looking and has much to eat and something to do.  Her husband, Hans, is laughing constantly and pats her.

Andover undated probably 1869

Now we are caring for two children, one is four and the other is two years but they are not our children.  Their mother died and we are caring for them.

Now I have 70 acres of ground (does he mean planted or his own ground?)   My health is worse and my lung sickness hangs over me, but I can still work some.

Kindly regards to you all and friends.

S. P. Swenson   Carolina Swenson

I will say that if Hans is feeble minded he should not come.