Letter from Allie Weeks to Unknown Recipient

Letter from Allie Weeks to Unknown Recipient

The recipient may be her step-father John C. Moore. She writes about happenings since she has arrived in Smith County, Texas, and mentions that her "negroes" have been hired out on a wheat farm. She also plans to look for a house near Marshall.

Harriet Weeks

Records of Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations, Series I, Part 6, Reel 18, Frame 102-104

Image scanned from 35mm microfilm published by UPA. Published here by W. Caleb McDaniel.

June 10, 1863

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English

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8E05D792-0177-4684-9AB0-1979006F3A19

Starville [Smith County], June 10th / 63

My dear sir,

I have an opportunity of writing. I know you are very busy as you would have answered my letter. I have been quite sick since I wrote to you. [Edward?] has also been sick, both hard chills and fever. I am still quite weak, and a good deal [worsted?]. I have met with a serious loss within the last ten days, in my excellent servant Henry. He died of typhoid pneumonia. There is a good physician here, and all was done for him that could be, but all to no purpose. I miss him sadly. He is a loss to me that can never be replaced. I do not know what I will do for a driver. None of my men know anything about it. I think I wrote you that I had sent most of my negroes to the wheat field with Mr. [Rawlins?]. They have not yet returned. I hope they will find employment there for some time. We are very much worried what to do about a [house?]. We cannot procure a house of any kind. We are very anxious to go to housekeeping. We are to go as soon as I am able to look at a house near Jamestown, about 15 miles from here near Marshall. Mrs Brashear and myself want to get a house together. Have you heard from [below?]. I have not heard a word, but am so anxious to hear. So if you have heard anything let me know. I feel so unhappy about not hearing I believe it keeps me sick. We heard that the yankees had all left the Teche and returned to the Bay. Do you know where our army is? I shall anxiously await a letter from you. Where is Charlie? I have not heard from them since I left Mansfield. I suppose he remained there. I wish you would write to Mr. J. B. Terry (Jefferson, Texas) again about my [molasses?]. He had 51 [lbs?] to sell and I think [illegible] of sugar.

I would like to hear something from Mr. Terry. I haven't got a lb of sugar when I go to housekeeping. Ben told me he could let me have some, as he had some at Jefferson and Shreveport. But the difficulty would be to get it here. I send this by a lady who leaves here this evening for Shreveport. I don't know her name, merely stopped for dinner. Please say to Mr. Weightman that I am much obliged to him for the papers sent. I received the Democrat to day sent by him. I wish we could hear something definite about Vicksburg. The reports are so conflicting. The last news is that Grant has surrendered. I trust it is so. Please when you write let me know where our army is and if the Yankees have returned to the Bay. I am so anxious to know. Everard sends his love. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain yours most truly. Allie.

P. S. If I write home and inclose the letter to you, do you think you could send it [down?]. I wrote to [ma?] last week, and enclosed the letter to Natchitoches to Col. [Stark?] with a request that he would if possible forward it, but not knowing his whereabouts he may not have received the letter. Write as soon as you can.

Manuscript