Leaf, Stem, Branch, and Root

Transcription:

Marion, La July 13 / 63

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Walker Co. Texas

Dear Sir,

C.T. Powell starts for your place tomorrow morning. By whoom [sic] I send you the money for the note of Mayo $804.25 after paying the collecting fees. The money has been collected for some two months I have had no opportunity to send it until now.

You will have heared [sic] before this reaches you of the fall of Vicksburg & Port Hudson & see the necessity of our getting away from this place. We have not heared [sic] certainly the particulars of the surender[sic] of Vicksburg in which we were so much interested we know nothing of the fate of our friends. There has been no news from there for more than two months. We can only hope that they are all living. The report is that the whole garison [sic] was paroled the officers going out with there [sic] side arms on we do not know that there is anything certain about it further than that it has surrendered.

You will perceive the necessity of everyone who has any thing to take care of getting away from this place. But the question is when shall we go. It would be useless to stop any where near this place, we should probably have to move again soon. If we could do it I would be glad to make our move do [sic]. I have thought of Austin & country around but do not know whether or not we shall be able to subsist there until we can make supplies. There is still another dificulty[sic]. I have no money, between 50 & 60 Bags of Cotton unsold. Move we must. If we go out about Austin through Waverly would be about as nearaway [sic] as we could go. Mrs. White is now willing to move. We are all going to fix up to that end. I have thought of the trinity country but there has been such a tide of emigration to that section that I fear it will not do for us. If we could get supplies I think it would be besto [sic] for the presend [sic] to go out beyond Austin until the war is over. Where best to go I do not know. I shall be there [sic] main dependence which is a very bad one. My health is very poor, all our mail [sic] friends are in the Army. Gus has joined a company & gon [sic].

You have no doubt heared [sic] of the sad fate of Marion's fall at Fredericksburg rather at Chancellorsvill. He was killed instantly by a piece of shell. It appears almost accidental but it was God's will & we have no wright [sic] to (?). It is said that C. Griffin fell at Vicksburg.

We hear from Randolph occasionally through him from your boys. We hear the cannon booming almost constantly in the direction of Vicksburg. We have some troops in the swamp. I do not think it is there & it is too good to hope that the report of the fall of Vicksburg is not true.

Our crops in this country are above an average. I think we plant nothing but corn, peas & potatoes &C. We do not know that we can make any disposition of them when gathered. The health of the neighborhood is good. There is whooping cough just at us. I suppose that we can not avoid getting it. This leaves us well except Miss Marthy Fuller. She has been quite sick for 10 or 12 days but is better. Love & best regards to all.

Yours truly

John Traylor

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Dr. Traylor Letter #13

Date: 02 Jun 1861

In today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill, we see a great deal of pessimism concerning the Civil War. He mentions that his step-son Pink (Thomas Pinkney White, son of Dr. Traylor's second wife Susan Fuller) had tried to enlist for one year, but that the military would take nothing less for than the duration of the war. So, Pink had come home. But, Dr. Traylor feels that since his sons Marion and Randolph have enlisted for the duration of the war, he will never see them again. (I am not sure who "Jack" is that is referenced in the same sentence.) Unfortunately, as we will see in the next letter, Marion would die in the war.

Most of the other commentary regards John Hill's financial deals and other small talk. We also see a mention of Dr. Traylor's daughter Katie (Sarah Kate).

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Transcription:

Marion, June 2nd 1861

Col. John Hill

Waverly Texas

Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 6th May was rec'd a fiew [sic] days since it was in company

with one of the 18th April from Katie.

I was glad to here [sic] that your healths were good. It is a great blessing to be well, when surrounded with such fearfull [sic] times.

The note of Mayo which was taken in place of the returned draft I have placed in the hands of an attourney [sic] for collection. Though I think it very doubtfull [sic] whether there will be any Courts in the State to decide Civil suits for some time to come. You have no doubt learned through the public press that the courts in N. O. are only held to decide criminal caces [sic]. There [sic] example will in all probability be followed in the country.

I will attend to your directions regarding the business of Mrs. Jackson.

I will also submit the controversy with Cole to arbitrators though it is much against my feelings to do so. He has no more just claim to that land than the man that never heard of it. It however will perhaps be the easiest way to get rid of it & I do not believe you can be looser.

Pink has got home. He had inlisted [sic] for twelve months, but as the call for such turns [sic] was filed [sic] & they would take no more for a less turm [sic] than the war he came back. (Marion, Randolph & Jack have inlisted [sic] for the full term of the war. I never expect to see them again, for I have no hope that it will terminate until total ruin shall have sweped [sic] over the length & bredth [sic] of our once happy land.)

The tone of the northern papers shows in what spirit it will be conducted. Like all civil wars it will be bloody cruel & devastating. Oh! That petty (?) councils had prevailed.

Katie writes me that she owes about $9000.00 dollars. I fear I shall not be able to pay all of it until I make another crop.

Our crops are tolerable promising. Corn is beginning to suffer a little for rane [sic] but we have had a late shower today (the 3rd) and a promise of more. Our cotton is backward but, there is full time for that. If nothing hapens [sic] to prevent you may look for me about the first of July.

Give my love to all

Truly yours

John Traylor

I have written to Katie of this date

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Dr. Traylor Letter #12

Date: 05 Apr 1861

Today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill deals primarily with financial concerns and small talk about farming.

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Transcription:

Marion Apr 5th 1861

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Texas

Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 11th March has been received. I am sorry; to here [sic] that Katie's health is bad. It is a consolation to know however, that her disease is one more of annoyance than danger.

As respect the Cole controversy, I believe I once before stated to you all the particulars.

When he caled [sic] on me to get a map of the land in order that, he might look at it. I showed him the map you left me for the benefit of Mrs. Bryant. That map I have never since been able to find & have sometimes thought it was in company with his lost deed. The one you sent with the Power of Attorney (and which was identical with it in so far as his purchais [sic] & the 1/4 in dispute is concerned) is the one since used. After showing him the map & telling him that you said "there was 1960 acres in round numbers" I then as he says truly "plased[sic] my finger on the disputed 1/4" & said Mr. Cole here is a 1/4 section detached from this tract, which Mr. Hill will sell with or without it, & advised him to look at it, saying that you told me it was the best land you had. He says I "bosted [sic] on it" & I told him that I had never seen it. Now it appears to me that any man of ordinary judgment would have known that it was not offered with the other at $6000.

He says I told him that $6000 would purchais [sic] all south of a certain line. If I said so it was in reference to the 1960 acres offered at that price. If the 1/4 section was to be sold with or without the other tract, no one would suppose it would be at the same price. $6000 was the only amt, mentioned. I think, perhaps it would be as well to leave it to arbitration as there is no prospect of selling land in this country soon.

Fact, Maclin paid his 1st note about 1st March that is he paid $811.00 which was sent to F & S in a fiew [sic] days, they say to me that they have acknowledged to you. There was a mistake in the time I counted interest of $18.15 which has been since paid.

I took Mayo's draft payable 20th March for the amt due from him. It was returned for non payment a fiew [sic] days since. But for the rane [sic] this morning I should have sent, today to get his note or the money. I shall send tomorrow if he does not pay, sue immediately.

I have written to Mr. Lupo giving him the direction you desire. I sent the note of Phelps & Lupo for allowans [sic]. The attoumey [sic] says Mrs. Phelps denies that it is a furm [sic] note says it never went to the use & benefit of the firm.

It sounds a little strange to here [sic] you speak of planting cotton so early. Allmost [sic] every day of week before last we had frost.

I have a pretty [sic] good stand of corn & had commensed [sic] planting cotton but the rane [sic] stoped [sic] me. It is now raning [sic] very hard.

I am planting about 200 Acres of my best land in cotton & about the same in corn 70 acres in Oats.

This leaves us all well. Dr. White starts to the City tomorrow. I shall send this by him to be mailed in the city. Love to all.

Respectfully & Truly yours

John Traylor

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Dr. Traylor Letter #11

Date: 21 Jan 1861

Today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill is missing the last page. We are fortunate to have Kyle Traylor's transcription which does continue to the end of the letter.

Along with the usual business matters, we see Dr. Traylor discussing the problems with their harvest which seem to be common. We also see the first mention of issues leading to the Civil War as Dr. Traylor laments Louisiana's stance on staying in the Union.

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Image 4

Transcription:

Marion, Jany 21st / 61

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Texas

Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 4th decr. is before me, inclosing sundries from I. Cole. I believe in a former communication I wrote to you all the particulars in relation to that matter. What I wrote was in evry [sic] particular true. I once thought him conciencious [sic] in his claim & felt sorrow for his mistake. I now believe he knows he is claming [sic] what does not belong to him. I see that he wrights [sic] to you that Brazile will testify that it, the disputed 1/4 was in the former deed. He writes to me from Alabama March 12th / 59 that Brazile informes him that, it was not included in the deed. He certainly will be a valuable witness, testifying both ways. He has no wright (sic) to the land, & I will sell it the 1st oportunity [sic] if not otherwise instructed by you.

Your Lock Land was sold in Nov. of which I informed you in Katie's letter soon after wards. It was sold to a Dr. Macklin for three dollars per acre 1/3 on 15th day of feby next the balance in one & two years, with interest from date on all the notes,

A short time before last count Cuth & wife accidentally stayed all night with us. They were just from Mayo's & in the cours [sic] of conversation he mentioned, that Mayo was speaking of what he owed you & said that he was to pay 12 1/2 percent interest which he would & should be able to do this winter stating further that he had $10,000 dollars in mortgage notes that, he was sure to get.

I was about to commense [sic] suit but thought that if I did so the unlawfull (sic) interest would be lost & that, it was worth another trial, so I did not commense [sic] suit.

I sent the note of Phelps & Lupo over to be presented to the administrator of H. Phelps. The young man that owed the other debt gave to the attourney [sic] near (?) $1200. dollars in notes & a/c. The most of which they say is good. He proposed further to sell two old Negroes belonging to his wife to pay the balance, This of cours (sic) did not suit, but it showed a willingness on his part to pay. I hope Mrs. I- will loos [sic] nothing in that debt,

I made about 100,000 tt cotton but as cotton is turning out badly from the seed I do not expect to get more than 50 bags, I have gined [sic] but a fiew [sic] days. We are using the old fashioned cotton Trasher & Duster that was used 25 or 30 years ago in Alabama. It improves the sample of our cotton very much. Dr. White is not done picking cotton yet, I am helping him if the weather remains good a fiew [sic] days longer, we will get it done. He did not make so large a crop

[the letter stops here, but Kyle Traylor's transcription continues, so a page is missing]

but from sickness & other causes he is late picking.

You think that Texas will go out of the Union & that she will be hard to satisfy. This state I fear will be out first. Our glorious union & country I fear is gon [sic] And its destruction will in all probability, be baptized in rivers of blood, with all the accompanying evils & crueltys of civil war. May God defend us from it.

I think more moderate councils would with concert of action obtained for us all that we could ask. We have many friends at the north, our course I fear will put them all on the other side.

And, Griffin & W.C. (Cork?) are our members to the convention both conservative. Quachita P-sh (Parish) sends Garrett (conservative).

This leaves us all in usual health. I write to Katie of this date.

Give my love to all

Yours truly, John Traylor

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Dr. Traylor Letter #10

Date: 26 Sep 1860

Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. prefaces today's letter to John Hill with a comment on the death of (presumably) a family acquaintance. (This is not fully visible in the image but is documented in the original transcriptions I received.) He begins the letter commenting about his sister's bad health (this is John Hill's wife). He also comments on Mrs. White's family having more sickness of late. Mrs. White is the father-in-law of Dr. Traylor's daughter Mary Louise. He mentions a little John having been sick. This is presumably his grandson John Traylor White, son of his daughter Mary, who was born 21 Jan 1860 just 8 months before this letter was written.

Much of the remainder of the letter comments on the harvest and deals with business transactions and disputes being handled by Dr. Traylor for John Hill. At the very end, John does express quite a bit of unhappiness with living in Louisiana and his desire to move if he ever can.

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Transcription:

Sept 28th Tell Katie that G. N. Benson died this evening of consumption.

Col. John Hill Marion La Sept 26th 1860

Waverly, Walker Co. Texas

Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 11th reached me by the last mail. I am sorry to hear of Sister Sarah's continued bad health. I hope yet that she may recover it again before long. The health of our country is unusually good. Swamp & all. There is almost no sickness except in a fiew [sic] families. Mrs. White's is one for the last two or three years they have had more sickness than formerly. Little John was quite sick a fiew [sic] days since, but was better yesterday. I have had some sickness in my family, which you know is unusual. Barn (?) has had two spells, the 1st was tedious. I have had no other sickness worth mentioning. I perceive your crop is coming fully up to your calculation. A great portion of this country is doing no better.

This immediate neighborhood has made corn enough for its consumption, a fiew [sic] will have to buy, others can sell. The cotton crop will be a full average. I think I have made com enough to do me & will make 4 or 500 Ibs of cotton to the acre. Others are doing much better than this, say from 6 to 800 lbs.

I fear that I am going to have some trouble with Cole. When he came to look at your land I gave him the map told him the no. of acres in the tract, & the price. I also pointed out the detached 1/4 section & told him that you would sell that with or without the other & advised him to look at it telling him that you said it was the best land you had. When I and Dr. White went down to make the titles he had left for Ala. leaving his overseer to take the deed & give the notes. He remarked that, there was more than 1960 acres. I told him that I had never made the adition [sic] but that you had, & that you was [sic] so generally correct, that I expected he was mistaken. When I came to look at it, I found that he had included the detached 1/4. I asked him if Cole wanted that 1/4 & that I knew with that quarter there was more than 1960 acres. I told him as Mr. Cole had left his notes for only $6000 dollars that I would reserve the land until we could hear from him. In reply he said that he had written those notes & signed them himself. So that but for Dr. White I should have given him a deed for the whole & made new notes including the amt, for the 1/4. Dr. White thought it would be an irregular way of transacting business & advised to postpone until we heared [sic] from Cole. It went on so until March 10th/59 when he wrights [sic] to me claiming the whole tract, as belonging to the trade, and proposed to arbitrate. I thought it so preposterous that I paid no attention to it. He pretends that the original deed is lost, & sent his son in law up to get another. When I went to give it to him he puled [sic] out the mortgage & said that Mr. Cole said that contained the true no.s of the land purchaised [sic] by him.

On examination I found that in copying the no.s from the power of Attorney I had included inadvertently the disputed 1/4. I told him I would give him a deed for the land I sold to Cole & no more, He said Cole did not want the deed unless the disputed 1/4 was included. I expect suit is already ordered.

When I received the instruction concerning the note of Philips & Lupo, I wrote to Lupo requesting him to go over & try to secure the debt of Edwards & informing him what my instructions were. In reply he requested that, I would wate [sis] until he could go over & see what he could do with Edwards, stating further that, he did not know that his sister was in necesitous [sic] circumstances, that he had but recently sent her money & that so soon as he could purchais [sic] a check he would send her $200.00 more.

Some time after this he writes me that he has seen Edwards & the Lawyer & that Edwards promised to make the note good. He is now perfectly [sic] steady & sober Clerking for Will (?) of Ouachita Cty.

I will have the note presented it costs nothing & can do no harm.

I received a note the other day from a Mr. L. L.H. Maclin offering $3 per acre for your lock tract of land 1/3 1st Jany the balance in 1 & 2 years. I wrote to him that if he would close the trade immediately he could have it at the price he offered 1/3 cash the balance on one and two years with interest from date. That I had several times been disappointed, by persons contracting for it & unless he closed the trade soon I should sell to the first person who came or rise in the price if I saw fit. This was 3 or 4 days since. I have not heared [sic] from him. He addressed me from Hilsborough. Randolph got a letter from one of your Virginia boy [sic] the other day they were well & well pleased. I hope Katie will make good use of her opertunities [sic]. Should she need any thing I must beg you to furnish it. At the same time, I hope she will restrict her expenses as near to her actual necessities as posible [sic].

I sometimes wish that I could get away from this miserable poor country. There are fiewer [sic] inducements now than ever to remain, our Landing is in the hands of vilons [sic] that I beleave [sic] burned my cotton last year. I shall have to hawl [sic] to Ouachita Cty. And then again when I reflect how well others are doing I think it is my fault that I do not succeed better. On this much however I am determined, If ever I am able I will try some other place. My love to all.

Respectfully yours & c. John Traylor

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Dr. Traylor Letter #9

Date: 27 Feb 1860 (and 29 Feb 1860 - leap day!)

Just 4 weeks after the previous letter we see another letter passing from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. in Louisiana to John Hill in Texas. Dr. Traylor reports apparent yellow fever in his general area. He also comments on some poor crops and poor luck, leaving him poor as is apparently common.

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Transcription:

Marion, Feby 27th 1860

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Texas

Dear Sir,

I wrote you about a month since (since when, I have none of your favours to acknowledge) Informing you of a remittance of between $26 & $27 hundred dollars. Frillsen & Stevenson have acknowledged receipt of it & say they have acknowledged to you. I have also started a draft by C.T. Powell for $1000.00 which amount completes the payment for Coles land. I have sent Mayo's note to him & hope in a fiew [sic] days to have the money for it. I have also sent the note belonging to Mrs. Jackson, I have no instructions from her what disposition she wishes made of it, when paid. I informed you in my last, that, I expected to sell your Lock Land to him, John Steel (?) since when I have twice hered [sic] from him. One time he sent me word he had been sick, the other that he would be over soon & yet he does not come.

I believe I have no other business transaction of which to inform you. The health of the country is (with the exception of cold) is [sic] very good, but fiew [sic] caces [sic] require treatment.

I saw Dr. Larkins a week since he says three or four of there [sic] most prominent citizens have died within a short time pased [sic]. He says they died in the same way that his Son Wm did with all the symptoms of yellow fever. Henry Phelps is dead. He lived near Bastrop on the Bayo. It is said of Pneumonia.

I made a very poor crop of corn & cotton last year. I fear not corn enough to do me & had the misfortune to get 7 or 8 bags burned of my best cotton, which will make me (as I always am) very short of funds. I must beg that you will supply Katie's necesities [sic] & charge to my account. I shall be ready in two or three days to plant corn, I plant 140 acres in corn, have it all beded [sic] with 5 furrows a portion all plowed out.

I am going to try to plant 200 acres in cotton 55 of it new ground. If we keep healthy & are favoured [sic] with good seasons I hope to make a better show next year.

Mr. E. George returned from Ala. a short time since with his new wife. We have caled [sic] on them she appears to be a sensible good woman & has seen good society. His children still keep up there [sic] foolish enmity. None of them have caled [sic] on her. We here [sic] that the most bitter and hostile language had pased [sic] between him & they.

Feby 29

I was too late for this last mail nor have I much time for this.

Yesterday it raned [sic] all day. Tell Katie I intended to have written to her by this mail, but as Marion wrote by the last & Gus, by this I have concluded to defur [sic] it for a day or two. Tell her that Susan has 75 or 80 young chickens & that her peas are large enough to stick. I expect her aunt Sarah's are blooming by this time. I have not time to write further. Give my love to all & for yourself accept my best wishes for your prosperity & happiness.

John Traylor

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Dr. Traylor Letter #8

Date: 01 Feb 1860

Today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill mixes a small amount of business with a good many personal details. Ever the doctor, Dr. Traylor relates a bit of the health of people in the area. He also comments that 1859-1860 has been a very cold winter.

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Transcription:

Marion Feby 1st 1860

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Texas

Dear Sir,

I sent to Frillsen & Stevenson by Dr. White $656.00 & requested them to inform you of the same. Mr. Cole has today paid his last note of $2013.00 Which I will send as above as soon as I can. His (?) $656.00 was paid by M.W. Goldsby he is yet owing you a fraction over $100.00. I sent over to Mayo. He said he would be over in a short time & pay up.

I expect he will be able to do it as he has made $1600.00 by trading this fall & winter. He sold a lot of negroes he purchased at Brother Paschals sale for $700.00 profit the balance he has made by trading on mules. You perhaps recollect he purchased some land & negroes for which he paid $11,000.00. He has sold the land for $12,000.00 making the 5 negroes & $1000.00 clare[sic], so you see he must be flush & the prospect for his paying good.

I have made no other collection. The note deposited with me for Mrs. Jackson falls due 1st March. If paid when due, what disposition does she want made with it? please learn & inform me. I expected before this to be able to inform your that your Lock Track [sic] was sold to Old Jonny Steel (?). He looked at it & was pleased, sent me word some three week [sic] since that, he would be over soon since which I have not heared [sic] from him. The price agreed upon was three dollars per acre he paying 2/3 this spring the balance in two years without interest. I do not know the cause of his delay.

I am happy to inform you that we are all well. Our little Sally was quite sick for 3 or 4 days last week of cold but is quite well now.

The health of the country is quite good though there have occured [sic] a fiew [sic] caces [sic] of much savierty [sic] from cold. Henry Philips died 10 or 12 days since of pneumonia it is said. He lived on Bayou Bartholomew near Bastrop. We have had the savierest [sic] winter that, I ever saw in the south. Since it set in it has been almost constantly cold until about two week since the mercury ranging from 8 up a great deel [sic ]of the time as low as 30 for two weeks pased [sic] we have had beautifull [sic] weather almost like summer until yesterday evening when the wind changed suddenly & blew a gale from the north the mercury was found this morning at 17 and at its highest elivation [sic] today it was 28.

If they have not already learned it you may tell them that Addy Powell has a daughter that, her name is Ida. We think there is a pretty good chance for a wedin [sic] in our neighborhood. A certain Mr. Harges Editon (?) of the Farmerville Paper, visits there pretty often & I mean Mrs. Bensons & we think it eminent.

Mr. George & his lady are expected daily from Ala. By the way since he left his fine Gin house & screw with about 20 bags of cotton were burned by accident. I am claring [sic] 50 or 60 acres east of my field by your old place it looks terable [sic] poor, but I can't do any better.

Tell Katie we can't come up with her Aunt Sarah's Gardin [sic], we should have had to plant last fall to have such peas as she has. We had cabbage, lettis [sic] & mustard up on yesterday I guess there is not much of them left today. Our peas are just coming up.

Tell Frank he must give Mary a mawling for me & that I am going to write to her in two or three days & give her jipes (?) for the way she scolded me. Sally says tell Taby (?) to turn (?) over here & she will (?) with (?) her.

What about your trip to Anjalina? Is it timbered or Prairie land?

Susan joins me in love to you all

Yours Truly

John Traylor

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Dr. Traylor Letter #7

Date: 27 Apr 1859

Today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill primarily focuses on the management of Hill's affairs in Louisiana by Dr. Traylor. Although we do see Dr. White mentioned twice, the husband of Dr. Traylor's daughter Mary Louise.

Dr. Traylor also comments about the health of the folks around him and a bit about crops he is planting and hopes for a better harvest than the previous year.

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Transcription:

Col. John Hill Marion La. Apr 27 / 59

Waverly, Texas

Dear Sir,

I have been long expecting to reply to your two last favours [sic] but for causes not very satisfactory have not done so as yet. Not long since I sent a draft of C. T. Powell for the amt, due you & directed F. S. & Co. to credit you with $600.00 on my account. This amt, will not cover the amt, collected for you. If you do not particularly need it I will keep it until next season. I made a very poor crop last year. booked about $3000.00 made rather poor collections & having incured [sic] some liabilities, find myself pretty tite run (?).

I have collected the debt of Everett Moor nearly all of Singleton, Grisham & $72.80 of E. George. There is yet ten dollars due from him. Esqr Ford paid his little a/c the other day. There was a small mistake in your favour in it. This I beleave [sic] (without refuring [sic] to the books) is all that, I have collected which is unacknowledged. I beleave [sic] that you have been informed that Cooper has paid & that, the funds are in the hands of F. S. & Co.

Mayo has been over & Quite sick about this. I did not see him but tryed [sic] to do so by going to M. E. Daniel, he told me that Mayo expresed [sic] much regret that, he could not pay yet. He sayed [sic] that he had shortly since returned from the swamp & saw the man that, bought Mayo out. He had been disappointed in getting his money from Miss- & could not pay Mayo so that it made a disappointment all round.

It does not appear that the swamp is a very money making place. W. A. Daniel has not paid Dr. White & myself yet & it is because he has not been able. Goldsby has paid nothing begs not to be sued, says that he will pay certainly before it can be collected. He has paid Frillsen by procuring a $1000.00 of accommodation drafts, I beleave [sic] that he has paid almost all his other debts except, those not due & what he owes to you. He has sued Cooper for what is due on the Andrews debt with that, & a good crop he will be able to pay all that he owes. Beside this he is offering the place on which he lives for sale, Cooper to retaliate entered the land around him & says that he has taken a good portion of the best part of his farm. That he has been offered $5 cash per acre for it if he could give possession, which he can not do until this crop is gathered. Goldsby says it is not worth 2 [?] per acre so they go.

The debt of Willingham for 1st note of [Cole?] is still unpaid you have forgotten that transaction. It was in this wise Willingham was owing Cole & promised to pay that debt for him which he did in cash drafts on others & a note of his own. Some of the drafts were returned for non payment, leaving a balance of some seven hundred dollars still unpaid.

Willingham is a man of considerable property & I am told purfectly [sic] good. I am expecting to here [sic] from him every day. If he does not pay soon I will put it in suit.

The land trade is again a failure, 10 or 12 days before the time it was to be closed a gentleman caled [sic] & offered to take the place at the price stipulated, but I did not feel justified in selling until the time had expired agreed upon. Since then he has concluded to look about for sometime before the purchaises [sic]. He is a brotherinlaw [sic] of Tod (?) Robinson's. I was in conversation a fiew {sic} days since with Sam Robinson & told him that I intended to write to you & advise you to rise on it that it was worth more. He said that the last person mentioned he thought would buy (?) the Jourdin plase [sic] & if he did he would buy your land for his Brotherin law provided you did not rise too much on it. (?)

I am planting this year 120 Acres in cotton of my best land & about the same in corn. If I am blessed with seasons I hope to make a better show than last year. I have about 40 acres yet to plant which I plant late from chois [sic]. I shall get over plowing my corn in a fiew [sic] days, tomorrow if it does not rain too much it is now raining. We have had a fine spring but for its being rather cool, we had considerable frost last week which did not damage us much except in putting back our crops.

The health of our country is generally very good though we have some sickness, L.M. (?), old woman Shortlitt (?) a week after confinement took savier [sic] cold was very sick, had several savier [sic] fits, but is now better & I think will recover. Since I commensed [sic] writing Dr. White informed me that, he had Rec'd a letter from you & that, you had lost another valuable negro. You are certainly having very bad luck [some?] way. Tell Mary she must write to me again & Robert, I beleave [sic] I have an unanswered letter from him, he must not be offended, I will write to him as soon as I can & he must write again. Tell Wm Powell, M.D. that Marion bosts [sic] of having been sent for several times in preferance [sic] to me. That however is no great compliment. I have [booked?] this year, I think some 6 or 800 dollars. Randy had a chill today the rest all well.

Give my love to All. Yours truly

John Traylor

Monday, August 23, 2010

Dr. Traylor Letter #6

Date: 29 Sep 1858

In today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill, Dr. Traylor expresses his enjoyment at visitors from Texas. But, he appears to have been quite busy as a doctor with many illnesses circulating at the time. He mentions the deaths of many common acquaintances in recent time.

The remainder of the letter comments on continuing poor crops and summarizes payments on debts outstanding to John Hill.

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