Pikeville Aug. 22, 1859

My dear Mary

I feel much disappointed that I did not get a letter from you to-night. I will have to wait till thursday night. I felt very anxious about mother. I somehow felt that she would either be considerably better or worse. I feel almost certain that before I hear again there will be an alteration in her. But she is in the hands of her God, and He alone knows about these things. I can't help trying to think what has prevented you from writing. We are apt to think unfavorable you know. I hope that you only failed to get a letter in time. Maybe Erasmus is on the road and you depended on him bringing news. You wrote that he was speaking some of starting down here immediately. I suppose he has succeeded in his mill enterprize. I want to hear how that is. He will write.

Dear wife, how I would like only spend an hour with you to-night - - that I might see how things are. I was telling Mr. Rogers to day that I did not know what to expect in your letter to night. I hope that nothing bad is the matter or I would certainly have got word. I feel comforted in the thought that you are all in the hands of him who watches over us for our good. 

I have nothing of interest to write to you. Matilda and Ann Acuff started monday morning to Post Oak. They intend going to Knoxville. The health of the valley is generally good. Cousin John Hutcherson has been rather unwell indeed was thought to be threatened with fever when I heard from him last.

Camp meeting is still holding on. I reckon the rain we had to-day will disband them. We have a baptist meeting going on at the school house at Mulkey's. There was a great revival at a meeting house near Mr. Humbles - - baptists.

I will stop hoping that you write so that I can hear by next mail. As ever

Your devoted husband

W.J. Hill

Our sales in the store have been very satisfactory for the last week or two. Mr. Rogers speaks of going to Nashville next week.

I have done nothing in the line of improving since I came home. I am having the weeds cut out of my corn. I want to try to get my stables built before I take fodder. My old sow is getting so she can walk. The pigs will die - - most of them. I hope I can save the sow. My big shoats have not been seen since I came home. I reckon they are dead. Give Love to all and kiss the children for Pa, especially Dolly, and imagine yourself kissed by me.

W.J.H.


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan