Trash or Treasure?
Some love letters have been treasured and preserved to be passed down to future generations. Many others have been destroyed—burned, shredded, or carelessly tossed away.
Those that survive help us understand a person, place, era, segment of the population, or slice of social history.

A Lifetime of Romance

Jasper Yeates (1745–1817) was born in Philadelphia. After
receiving degrees from the College of Philadelphia, he was
admitted to the Bar in 1765 and became a highly-respected and
distinguished lawyer.

He was appointed chair of the Committee of Correspondence for
Lancaster County in 1776 and served as a delegate from Lancaster
County to the Convention of Pennsylvania in 1787. Jasper
received a commission as associate justice of the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court in 1791, a position he held until his death in 1817.
Because of his political and judicial obligations, Jasper was often
away from home.

Sarah Yeates (1748/9–1829), born in Philadelphia, was the eldest
daughter of Sarah Shippen and James Burd. Her family moved to
Lancaster when Sarah was a child.

Sarah and Jasper married in December 1767 and settled in
Lancaster. They raised their family at 24 S. Queen Street. The
couple exchanged news, made decisions, and expressed their love
in letters throughout their marriage.

I have little to add but my sincerest

wishes for your happiness, & that

our love may receive perpetual

increase by an unvaried intercourse

of the kindest offices.

Letter to Sarah Yeates from Jasper Yeates
22 May 1769

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-206 YEATES, AUNGST COLLECTION

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…if you would get me half a dozen

pair of stockings (mine are almost

past mending) I will thank you and

give you as many kisses when I see

you.

Letter to Jasper Yeates from Sarah Yeates
10 January 1792

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-207 YEATES, CARSON COLLECTION

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I should be very glad if you where

coming near home instead of

going further from us, but I trust

you will be preserved and

return in health to your family who

will be made very happy by

the event and none more so than

your very affectionate wife.

Letter to Jasper Yeates from Sarah Yeates
17 May 1793

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-207 YEATES, CARSON COLLECTION Above:

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I now consider you at Belmont &

often speak to Mr. Smith about what

I presume to be your engagements.

In about a month I should begin to

turn my face homewards &

rejoice at the anticipation. But I am

fearful of pursuing the idea long, lest

my stay abroad should be made

doubly uneasy on reflection. My love

to our dear children. I ever shall be

my dear wife most affectionately

yrs

Letter to Sarah Yeates from Jasper Yeates
24 April 1797

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-205 YEATES, LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION

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I have received both your

affectionate letters for which I thank

you. I have need so to do when I

consider after such a number of

years acquaintance as we have had

you still continue your kind

attentions to me in writing

frequently. I do not know anything

more grateful than to hear from

those we love in their absence.

Below:
Letter to Jasper Yeates from Sarah Yeates
15 October 1801

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-207 YEATES, CARSON COLLECTION

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I earnestly long for the happiness of

your company which grows

more dear to me every day I live. All

the family are well—the

children join me in our love to you.

Letter to Jasper Yeates from Sarah Yeates
No date

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-207 YEATES, CARSON COLLECTION

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I must contrive some mode of

getting Yeates conveyed thither to

morrow…My letter shall not leave

you in a state of uncertainty

about the child. It shall remain

unsealed till to morrow at all

events…I am just relieved of my

charge. John Conyngham takes

out our child in 20 minutes. They

have just left my room with

the band box & bag.

Letter to Sarah Yeates from Jasper Yeates
3 March 1816

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES
MG-205 YEATES, LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION

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A Lifetime of Romance

I have little to add but my sincerest wishes for your happiness, & that our love may receive perpetual increase by an unvaried intercourse of the kindest offices.

Letter to Sarah Yeates from Jasper Yeates 22 May 1769 LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-206 YEATES, AUNGST COLLECTION

…if you would get me half a dozen pair of stockings (mine are almost past mending) I will thank you and give you as many kisses when I see you.

I should be very glad if you where coming near home instead of going further from us, but I trust you will be preserved and return in health to your family who will be made very happy by the event and none more so than your very affectionate wife.

I earnestly long for the happiness of your company which grows more dear to me every day I live. All the family are well—the children join me in our love to you.

I have little to add but my sincerest

wishes for your happiness, & that

our love may receive perpetual

increase by an unvaried intercourse

of the kindest offices.

Letter to Sarah Yeates from Jasper Yeates
22 May 1769

LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-206 YEATES, AUNGST COLLECTION

…if you would get me half a dozen

pair of stockings (mine are almost

past mending) I will thank you and

give you as many kisses when I see

you.

I should be very glad if you where

coming near home instead of

going further from us, but I trust

you will be preserved and

return in health to your family who

will be made very happy by

the event and none more so than

your very affectionate wife.

I earnestly long for the happiness of

your company which grows

more dear to me every day I live. All

the family are well—the

children join me in our love to you.