Thomas Rotch letter to Jacob, Kendal Stark Co Ohio 8 mo 12th 1814

              A-29-17 
       	Kendal Stark Co Ohio  8 mo 12th  1814
	  Dear Jacob
		       I a few days since was anticipating the
	  pleasure I should have in writing thee that I
	  had the Sheep brought home last spring and atho=
	  =ugh they looked thin in flesh they soon began to
	  recruit and have improved as finely as I ever saw a
	  flock in the same time(excepting a few that seemed
	  from the climate to be diseased in the liver that
	  died). Until last night, when I brought them
	  up into the yard before the House they
	  were very lively skiping and playing along the way
	   and this morning on going amongst them(One had
	  been poisoned I supposes) I found a fine yearling Ewe
	  dead without the last appearance of indisparition
	  last night.  I opened her  found an inflammation had
	  arisen so high in the lesser stomach as to become disabled
	  in the performance of digestion, and from this a general
	  inflammation & final dissolution, which has made me
	  feel very disagreeable not merely on the acct of the
	  death of this One sheep but the fear of more going the
	  same way and not knowing or being able to find what
	  plant it is that occasions their death.  It being generally 
	  the most healthy and robust that fall victims
	  I had thought that my exertions to introduce the cul=
	  =tivated grasses all around us had so far succeeded to do
	  away that great evil that so destroyed Our flock
	  on their early residence in this country.  Neither
	  can I say that I am without hope the improvements