Recipient of this letter, Richard Brenan (1805 - ca.1860s) was a native of Charleston, S.C., and an 1825 graduate of Harvard; in 1829, Brenan married Mary Lavinia Brown (1806-1832), daughter of Joshua Brown, in Charleston, S.C.; by 1832, the couple lived in New Orleans, Louisiana; the writer of this letter, identified as "W. Durgh" of Hampshire County (Mass.) is apparently an attorney and may hold political office; "W. Durgh" likely became friends with Brenan during his college years in Boston.
From the description of Letter, 1827 May 6, Northampton [Massachusetts] to Richard Brenan (Charleston, S.C.) (University of South Carolina). WorldCat record id: 135058512