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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.