Ulysses S. Grant Acknowledges Receiving Rent Due Him, Sent by His Friend and Agent William Coffin

Even after his assumption of command of the Army of the Potomac in early 1864, the Grant family continued to live in St. Louis. By the fall of 1864, with the comparatively militarily inactive winter coming up, Grant and his wife Julia wanted the family to be closer. So Julia and the children moved east, first trying to find a suitable home in Philadelphia. When nothing was available that suited her, Mrs. Grant went across the Delaware River to the little town of Burlington, New Jersey, where she found a nice home at 309 Wood Street, and put the children in school.

After the war the Grants left Burlington, but they continued to retain property in the area, and William Coffin managed their business affairs there. Coffin saw to it that taxes and insurance were paid, and that rents due Grant were sent and received. Grant called Coffin his "friend", but it did not stop there; their families also maintained personal relationships.

Autograph letter signed, on his Head Quarters Armies of the United States letterhead, Washington, June 22, 1866, to Coffin, on both business and personal matters. "Your favor of 8th June enclosing a check for $400 is just received. My absence until last evening from the city accounts for its not being earlier received. I hope to be in Philadelphia before a great while when I will do myself the pleasure of visiting your family. I hope Miss Coffin had a pleasant visit in Washington and that the coming winter will have the pleasure of her company for a longer period, and when it will be more agreeable for her. Mrs. Grant's and my kindest regards to yourself and family."

We obtained this letter directly from the Coffin descendants, and it is offered for sale here for the first time.