"Black Wolf Wis Novemb 12" Wisconsin manuscript cancel with "5" rate on a November 10, 1850 3+page letter datelined "Nekimi" addressed to Waukesha.

A quick search of the Internet found the following on a town website and I present it to discuss the "Nekimi" versus "Black Wolf" and I find that the date is within days of the name-change.  The postmark actually pre-dates the name change.

"The Town of Brighton was organized in February, 1847, and included in its limits the present towns of Black Wolf, Nekimi and part of Algoma. In 1850, the name of the Town of Brighton was changed to Nekimi and on November 14, 1850, the County Board set off the Town of Black Wolf."

This is an important letter in the Ashby-Philip Correspondence as it deals with what Robert Philip did in American when he immigrated from Bugbrook, England, leaving everything behind to start a new life with his wife and children in Wisconsin.

Addressed to "Mr. Robert Philip, Waukesha, Wis."

The letter is signed by John Madeville and the content is superb, dealing with timbering for railroad ties and land speculation and sales.

Saluted "Friend Philip"

Content (with some spelling corrected) Includes:

"...I take this opportunity to write to you a few lines relative to some business affairs.  You recollect that when last we met, which was at my house, you requested me to protect your timber land here and prevent any trespass or damage being done up on it.  This I have done.  There has been no damage done to your premises except it may be a few trees the telegraph company cut out of the limits of the road when putting out their wire.  Furthermore, I have kept up your road tax both last year and this.  The last years road tax was three dollars and fourteen cents ($3.14).  This year it was $4.10.  So far you will say so good.  Well, I will proceed with an account of my slew and ship last winter.  I was called on by the overseer of highway who informed that he was determined to open the road through that timber of a suitable width 32 crbs, this was necessary, and to consult with me as to the best manner of procuring as the original tax was worked out he would have to increase the tax 1/3 when he had power to do or after those who had the care of the lands to find some persons who could clear out the road and take the timber further means.

"This I did on my own land.  Fisher, formerly of Waukesha, you know him, I suppose, understood, but he made rather shabbily work the timber, was not quite as good as it looked and Fisher got sick of it.  What to do with regard to your land I did not know.  This was a contingency that under the general instructions you gave me that it was my duty to attend to it and that you would then be hard of me. If I did not, as the timber must be cut out of the road, would be done in a hurried and slovenly manner and would ultimately go to waste, I therefore applied to Mr. Benedict, a reasonable man and a gentleman who wanted to buy some rail timber, to clear out the road through your land for the timber accordingly.  He looked at it and decided that he could not cut as the timber would not pay for the work but he would take such as he could make use of.  Fall the timber with care so as not to damage the slandering timber outside the road and pay at $1  1/4 of your road tax which was agreed upon and he fulfilled his agreement to the letter.  I will now ask the question boldly and in curious innocence wherein have I erred in all this that you should so unceremoniously cut me off by the knees and treat me as an interloper and a vagabond.

"Old Swift has lately returned from Waukesha.  He says that he has bought your land and that you have empowered him to prosecute me for trespass and you do not sanction any thing I have done.  In short, you do not seem to know me at all, so I have been informed.  I met the old man a few days since and undertook to get an explanation of this mysterious affect, but he did not see inclined to give any.  He had got power from you and he meant to use it. (as scordes it will order to his supposed and I think no farther)  That you was particular I was aware and I do not blame you for it.  But I did not dunn you unreasonable or unjust nor did I anticipate that you take advantage of an act of kindness performed in good faith to place me in a predicament so awkward and unpleasant.  I do not think so badly of you now but I think that Old Swift (who by the way is a rum customer) has played upon your credulity and grossly misreprsents matters.  His threats of a prosecution were of no consequence.  There is no ground for that but as a Mr. Benedict has not carried off his rails which lie piled up outside the road, these the old man will seize upon under colour of your authority.  You will perceive that in all pains and do not ask for anything more but would petition you to suspend Swift's authority.  Too much in this affair if he has an (which I have some doubt of now for his character for breeth or honesty is at a low ebb here) and give your Benedict permission to take away his rails.

"I will be responsible to you for my trespass or damage done to your land here up to the time that Swift proclaimed himself the owner thereof to your entire satisfaction.  Yours, Truly, John Mandeville. 

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