John and Diadama Morris to W.N. Trout


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                           Caddo Cove Post Office

                          Montgomery Co., Arkansas

                               Mr. W.N. Trout



Georgia Gordon Co.

June the 16, 1854.



Dear brother W.N. Trout. I state to you that I re(ceive)d your kind and

affectionate letter which found us all in good health. Dear brother, it

came to me unexpected, for I had come to the conclusion that you had got so

rich in Texas that you had forgot all of your kindred in good old Ga. But

I will just state to you that we are still poor in Ga. yet and haven't

forgot none of you, hoping to our heavenly Father that these few lines may

arrive to you and find you enjoying the richest of heavenly happiness,

health and prosperity and that good old faith that once was delivered to

the saints - for this is the rock of salvation - and if we never should ever

meet again on earth, this is the faith that will bring us to meet in glory

where the parting of poor pilgrims shall be no more, where we shall meet our

friends that ... (have) gone before us ... (that) died with faith.



To call back 10 years Nesbit and to see our friends that was here then that

is gone and left us, and to see how the balance is scattered in this

(poorest) world fetches serious reflections upon me. Here is a weeping

mother. Here is ... weeping sisters. Here is John Morris - here yet in the

land of Ga. How (foolish) like. He wants (to) stay his heavenly Master's

time here on Earth and then to take a cold grave by the side of one of

those friends that is gone before me. No more on this subject.



God bless you all dear Brother. According to your request, I will try to

answer you. First there is health in our land and times are good. The

country (is) improving. First land is about like it was in prices. Some few

deaths occasionally. Produce is high. Corn is worth 65 cents, bacon 10

cents, other things in proportion. None of the old citizens is gone from

here. They are settled. They say there has been several (have) been to look

at Texas and Arkansas and don't like (it) at all. I got a letter from J.H.

Trout yesterday. He has moved (to) Sevier Co., Arkansas, Mineral Hill post

office. He stated he was well at present but in a bad fix. His steers died

and he had to stop. Anyhow he said he was afraid of sickness there, but

could not get away for the lack of means to travel on. Mr. G.W. Walker is a

working close by me (with)in two hundred yards on a house, and when he gets

done there, he is going to do some work for me. He said (they) are all well

and wants to see you back in Ga. in the white settlements. Frank is a living

close by me (with)in a quarter. He and family are all well. J. Davis is well

and family and doing well. (?) strange in Ga.



                                 John Morris



You must look over my hand writ(ing). I cut my thum(b) with a sight blade

and I can't hold my pen good. Some lines from Didama.



Dear brother. I am well at present hoping you (are) all the same and your

little children. I want to see you and them again while here on earth. Give

my respects to all of my cousins and uncle (and) all the connections. Dear

brother I think you would do well to come back and live in Ga. with your

little babes. Mother wants you to come back. She is well and Susannah, she

is generally well. No more at present but remain your sister till death.

Farewell.



                E.D. Morris to W.N. Trout. Brother W. Nesbit.



Dear Brother. I want you to write to me oftener than you have and if I live

I will to you. I never will forget you as long as I live. I have thought of

you a many a time since you left me. Notice and I will send you a paper that

will give you the daily news of Ga. So I want to be remembered by all of you

to them cousins by letter and by (love). So dear friend I must come to a

close. My letter is like us all. It has got a beginning and ending. So don't

forget me. So no more at present but remain your Brother till death

separates us on earth. True to the end.



                                 John Morris

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Letter of John and Diadama Morris to Wilson Nesbit Trout provided by Jessie

Mae Ashford, Arlington, Virginia.

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HTML file and design by David Kelley, 1997. All rights reserved.