Chevy Chase Dec 12th 1853
Dear Jack
We
were truly gratified at receiving a letter from you the other day delighted
to hear Cowan's little ones had arrived in the land of corn and pork(?)
and with those who will take care of them. It was the best arrangement that
could have been made.
Moll returned about 3 weeks ago from Huntsville in fine health
enjoyed herself very much among her relations
last week we all went to Jackso to Sallie Swann's weding [sic]
spent 3 or 4 days there and at Mr Listers(?) very delightfully. She married
Mr. McGee a plander [sic] on the River. She did very well. Synod meets at
Jackson in 3 or 4 days we intend to be there nearly all the time & expect
to have a pleasant time of it.
Mrs. Skipwith has sold her plantation 1650 acres at $10.00
pr acre. Will moove[sic] to Jackson or that neighbourhood we loose [sic]
fine heighbours in them & they will be replaced by a young couple Mr.
Austin & wife.
My crop is not turning out quite so well as I expected though
the greatest complaint I have is about the price of what I have made I make
about 55 bales corn enough(?) & two or three thousand pounds of pork
to spare but that is worth but little here now most people here have raised
enough many some to spare. I shall kill 80 hogs.
I bought the 8th of land belonging to the Smith tract which
ran down to my Gin(?) house at $3. pr acre, which is quite an addition to
my tract. If I was disposed to sell I believe I could sell immediately at
$10.00 pr acre. I have had a considerable Texas fever and want if I can
to visite [sic] Texas next year. It is the place where we will all have
to meet finally.
Our school has been doing finely thru fall & winter &
still is though I do not know that we can keep the same teacher next year.
I am very much at a loss whether to undertake to give Will a thorough education
or to put him in a store to buisness. It is a subject that gives me a good
deel [sic]of anxiety. May be you can settle the questioin for me.
You ask so little money this year that it must certainly be
forthcoming. It shall be sent as soon as I can conveniently. My expences
have been very high this year from building painting Molls trip which cost
upwards $200 & I had also to pay $200. for mules. I owe nothing now
however but to you & my store acts. which by the by is a good deel [sic].
We have had some sickness this year Sucky one of the Negro girls has been
in the house this 2 month with rheumatism. She is now geting better. Mary's
health is not so very good. My health has improoved very much.
Bene Toole(?) has withdrawn from the Senatorial canvass &
will moove to Texas New Orleans or California probably the latter place.
There has been a good deel [sic] of selling and buying of
real estate & a good deel of emigration to Texas from this county Clinton
has improoved very much from the location of the Baptist College there which
is in a flourishing condition they have obtained an endowment of $60,000.
The Baptists are carrying every thing before them in this country. All join
in sending their love to you and the family Let Va. Cowan know that we all
love her & feel much interest in her & hope to see her before very
long.
A. Johns
Mary says you must send her a quantity of those Smyrna Raspberrys.
She and Mrs. Calvit are very anxious to get them also some cutings from
the golden Pippen apple. If you send them send to the care of L. R. Coleman.
VBurg.
A. Johns
Typed below:
Charlottesville, Va. 1961
This notation is made by F. Winston Johns, great nephew of the writer and
Grandson of Addressee, John Jay Johns, St. Charles, Mo.
The above letter was written by Alfred Johns, from his plantation,
"Chevy Chase" near Vicksburg, Mississippi, to his brother John
Jay Johns, at St. Charles, Missouri.
Alfred and John Jay were the sons of Glover Johns of New Market
Buckingham County, Virginia. They migrated west in 1831.
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