Phila. 4th Oct. 1866
My Dear Brother Thomas
	   Having no doubt but you have gone on to Hamilton 
I, last summer got up a subscription of $70 a year to
carry you thro' a course of study. I afterward learnt with
much regret that you had gone to Granville. I am now in
difficulty I have got the proper [interests?] in you & now it is
a matter of delicacy to change their [liberalities?] to another.
Still it is very difficult to support you at Granville
We are commencing a new effort in this State & it seems
essential to its success that I be [illegible in original]. Now if we
allow one deviation we can't prevent others, & the
Board of Managers can not superintendent Scholars in a no.
of Institutions. We feel a deep interest in Granville and
[illegible in original] many there but we can only unite
the [illegible in original] on Hamilton. [illegible in original] wants to [illegible in original] a Scholar to 
a little School at Germantown _ Another one to East Pa
Another one to Washington D.C. etc. etc. etc. Now the Board
have resolved that all [2 words illegible in original] must go to Hamilton,
& they are bound to keep the pledge because the N. York
Education Soc'y pays a part of my salary. Now I am
anxious to help you br. Thomas but I don't See how to do it.
You are near the Ohio Canal. by taking [illegible in original] boats I
suppose you could go to Hamilton for $10 or $12. Your canal
to Cleveland – across the lake to Buffalo down the Erie
Canal to Utica 250 miles & up the [Chenango?] Canal
to Hamilton 30 miles. I don't know exactly what it would
cost but travelling is very cheap. If you were there you would
immediately rec'd $35. $35 more the first of Jan'y and $35 more
the 1st of July etc. Most of our married students get a house and
garden for $25 a year _ Your advantages there would be
better than at G. & the Society here in Phila. would help
you to some clothes yearly. I do not know what you had 
better do. The Lord direct.

Will you write me all about your circumstances
as soon as you get this? I hope to get your answer
within two weeks. Tell me how you are situated
what courses of study you have [commenced?] _ how long
you intend to study _ what means you have _ what
you pay for house rent & what for other things and
    what you think of the policy of your going to H.
       Let me know all about it _ write me freely
& I will do all I can for you at any rate.
			Your Sincere friend
				J. Edwards Jr

     Direct to 237 Arch Street

[Written upside down]

[b c?] 15th Oct ‘44
Answered___

[Written sideways]
			[in blue ink] 25	
Mr. B. H. Thomas
Granville (Collier)
Licking County
Ohio

[Written sideways above upside down writing] Single