Pikeville July 7, 1859

Beloved Wife

I have just finished reading your letters of the 2 & 5 inst. I do not know why they should both come at the same time. I was truly glad to hear from you as I will always be glad to hear from you. I was in hopes that you would have better news to write concerning mother. Though, when I think of the enormous size of the affection, I can scarcely hope for her to be permanently better. Yet there are some favorable symptoms from what you write. But the Lord only knows the future. 

We are getting on the best we can - - very well I suppose. We have had no flour since you left. Mary Jane said she used all we had the morning we started to Knoxville. We will send for some tomorrow. We are done ploughing. I want to chop my corn out. In fact I have had a good deal of it done already. We need rain very much, and it looks like it would rain to-night. I reckon it will not though especially if the prayers of our Opposition friends prevail. They are cooking the meat for the barbecue to-night. Tomorrow will be a great day for Pikeville. The band from Athens and Cleveland are in attendance. They gave a concert at the Academy to-night - - 25cts admission. The object was to get money to pay expenses. I am informed by Mr. Howard that they did not collect any regular admission fee as they would have had to procure license. They asked voluntary contribution. There are a great many in town to-night. The taverns are full and we have several - - Mr. Rogers kindred. Mr. Rogers & others. I will give you more of the particulars when I write again.

Mrs. Bridgman is still very badly sick - - thought to have inflammatory rheumatism.

Our garden has not been injured except by Mr. Rodgers calf. It has eaten up all the beans and vines. I will have to expel it. It's eating the pop corn. Mr. Rodgers returned from Spencer yesterday - - did not get much cash. Had quite a time at Burritt. Erasmus, Mr. Washburn, Mr. Gernand and Mr. McCauly were made A.M.s and some gentlemen of Virginian D.D. He had forgotten the name.

I have not attended to having Billy's clothing made. You will have to scold more. Have you not done me injustice by saying I am disposed to procrastinate? We will talk it over when I see you. Write to me often. It seems so bad to miss getting a letter every mail.

May God bless you.

W.J. Hill 

I received a letter from Uncle Abner Hill to night. He says Martha and Reals family are well. Sends love to your father and sympathises with him on account of mother's condition. He pursuades me to abandon Law and preach.

 


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan