Pikeville Sunday night Aug. 28, 1859

My dear wife

The time has come for me to write to you. I would much rather be with you to-night. I would like very much to know how you all are doing to-night, especially your mother. I think it very probable that she is gone before now. You wrote in you letter of the 23rd that she was very bad. It would seem hardly probable that she is living. Indeed I could not sorrow to hear of her death. Although I esteem her highly and I might say I love her (I have never seen but one woman that I esteemed her equal, taking all things into consideration) no one except, perhaps, her husband would be more rejoiced at her recovery, but it seems that it is not the will of the Lord. To wish her life prolonged in her present state would be cruel. If it is the will of the Lord I hope her prayer may be granted, "that she may be taken from hence where she may find rest." I feel for you; for your father and for you all. I hope you will have fortitude. The stroke will be more easily borne, since by your mother's protracted illness, the idea of her loss has become familiar. There are many things which will not fail to comfort and console her sorrowing friends. I only crave that she may retain her reason. I don't know why it is but there is something in the idea of one's dying deranged that is revolting to my mind. 

I saw our neighbor Billy Dalton deposited in his resting place yesterday. He died of some old disease or rather a combination of diseases. The general health of the valley is very good. I do not hear of any sickness scarcely at all.

I received a letter from brother James Hill yesterday. The friends are all well except Ed Moore and sister Helen. Ed has been sick ever since his trip to the south. James says that Sanderson has made a fine crop of corn. Ed Real has sold his farm and talks of going back to Texas this fall. James had received a letter from George Real. George had joined the Christian Church. I am truly Glad to hear it. He will now encourage Martha instead of exerting a bad influence upon her. 

But I must again bid you good night. I rejoice that though I am absent from those I love most dearly, there is a Friend to whom I can entrust them believing that he will watch over them for 

Your devoted husband

W.J. Hill


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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Transcription by Charles Massey.
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