[Pamphlets. American history]

206
worth 5000 Doll.S If the above dificulties are removed
in your mind I shall be willing to sell at that price, &
shall leave it with you.
Y.rs N. A.
(Directed) Oliver Wendell Esq.
Present.
(Endorsed) N. Appleton's Letter ab.t selling Shop.
The family letters of Dr. Edward A. Holyoke, whose
practice in Salem covered a period of nearly eighty
years, contain interesting allusions to the events of the
Revolution. Dr. Holyoke was born Aug. 1, 1728, old
style, at Marblehead. lie commenced the practice of
medicine at Salem in June, 1749, and died here March
31, 1829. An excellent memoir of this eminent physician, written by Dr. Peirson, was published hy the Essex
South Medical Society in 1829. Another memoir by
Rev. John Brazer, accompanying an "Ethical Essay"
written by Dr. Holyoke, was published in the following
year.
Dr. Holyoke was residing in Salem, in 1775, in the
house now the furniture warehouse of Mr. Israel Fellows,
No. 205 Essex street. He sent his wife and family to
Nantucket, whither many other Salem people repaired for
security and refuge. It was thought that that island
would be treated as a sort of neutral ground. Mrs. Holyoke went to Nantucket April 27, 177.5, and returned to
Salem July 22d. A number of letters passed between
them meanwhile, and these have been preserved by the
family, who have kindly allowed me the use of extracts
from them.
Mrs. Holyoke writes from Nantucket, April 29.tl, that
"there is no provision to be bought here, neither salt nor
fresh. There is not a tree upon the whole island, except