(Note: some of
the contents are written around the margins or upside down on the sheet. This was a 4-page letter written on one folded sheet of
paper. Words in parentheses were extremely hard to make out and are
supplied by myself as the best possibility, based on visual cues and other
family records. Blanks indicate
words I simply could not make out! - J. Morris]
(page 1)
Bull Run Halifax Co. Va.
May 29, 1867
Dear Bro and Sister
I will begin my letter with an apology for I know you all
think strongly of my (not answering) your most kind and well come letter and
especially from such dear relations as you and sister but in the first place I
was sick and after I got well I had some work to do that I did not have the
time to write you all such a letter as I wished. I deeply sympathize with you all in your bereavement but you
must remember that the Lord giveth and (the) Lord taketh blessed be the name of
the Lord. I know it was a hard
(travail) for you all to give those little dear ones up but the Lord does not
think as we think he saw fit to take them and welcome to such dear ones up
where he calls them.
(page 2)
He had a (true) purpose in taking them not our will his be
done and Christ say suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not
for such is the kingdom of heaven they are now basking in the smiles of a
________ Savior there. I know you
and dear Sister grieve after them and I feel for you all and wish it had been
his will for them to have stayed with you all. Sister (Bettie) is in the County. She is in very bad health. I have not seen as yet but am looking for her any day. She will not go back to (Baltimore)
very soon as (Mrs.) ____ ______ has moved back to _________. I am going to tell you something that
will surprise you very much. (Mag) was married the 6th of March last
to Cousin Jacob (Blane, Jr.).
(page 3)
She is not keeping house they are living at olde Cousin
Jacob's (Blane, Sr.) about a half of a mile from here. (I see) him every week. Father is at home now and will stay at
home. how many chickens have you
got Sister. I have about seventy
two and will have about a hundred in the course of a few days so you all must
come to see me this fall to eat chicken.
I hardly know what to say for you and Sister about going to live with
you all. I want to go badly you
all must come up in fall and if I can I will go back with you all but one thing
I hate to leave (Mama) but come and in the fall and if I can I will go with you
all. I know I would love to live
with you all for I love Bro dearly and I know I will love Sister equally as
well. I love her enough I have
_______
(page 4)
I know she is
______ ______ You all be
sure to come this fall. Father got
his arm very badly hurt this spring.
He got it caught in the saw and come very near sawing it off but
thankfull to tell you it is now well and he can use it as well as he ever
did. Bro Dit. is in business the
last we heard from him. (Tom) is
in Montgomery acting as badly as mortal man can act. Uncle Joe Averett was to
see us last fall he has been quite sick made a great many ____ _____ about you
and Sister and sent his best love to you all. Joe Jim has gone to live a busy ______. Jack is in Danville. Sam is living at Log Hill with Aunt
Martha. I was at Uncle (Elisha /
Eli's home?) about two weeks ago.
They are all well and send a great deal of love to you all. D(allie) was well and says she will
write to you all soon. You all be
sure to come this fall and I will go with you home if you can. You know to get coffee these times only
is a great (enducement) but I am not going for the coffee I am going to be with
you all.
(top of page 4, marginal note written upside down)
Sister I am going to
hold ____ on to that bean.
You waste one about all (send) (love) to (you) . (Write)
just as soon as you get this and give (me) all the news.
(top of page 2, marginal note written upside down)
I have wove both a ______ and yards of cloth since M____ was
M_____ about you _______ that is doing well.
(top of page 3, marginal note written upside down)
How is your garden _____ ______ is looking very well I would
like to be with you all to be with (Joseph) to (see him). -- Sallie
(top of page 1, marginal note written upside down)
excuse bad (writing) as my (pen) is so (bad). You all must
try and come this fall. Sallie