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ANDREW
HAMILTON Letter TO MOTHER - DECEMBER 1838
From: "Bill and Olga Wilson"
To: Nacogdoches Co TXGenWeb
Subject: Old letter written in Nacogdoches
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009 8:09 PM
This letter came into my father¹s possession while he was researching the
Hamilton family. All of his research was done before computers were common
in homes. I have the original letter. I thought that you might enjoy seeing it.
The transcript is as follows:
Nacogdoches, Texas
Saturday Night 15th December 1838
Affectionate Mother,
As Mr. Williams is to start to Alabama in the morning I take my pen to
drop you a few lines. As it has been sometime since I wrote you owing to my
absence from town and the lack of an opportunity, I was here only a few days
before I was called off on business of my profession and gone until a day or
so since, and expect to start again Monday morning if nothing happens more
than I know of at present as there is much need of me in my district for
there is much work wanting done and no one to do it but my partner who is
there now and I expect looking for me constantly, though I have a good
chance to make money here yet my promise is out to you which I am anxious to
fill and will if life lasts. There is a great deal more hardship to endure
here than there and not only that much danger to encounter, but we need
never expect to make anything as past and ease in Zion,but at the same time
I don't think I will risk much as I am anxious to return to Alabama at least
by the 10th or 15th of February that is I aim to start by that time.
Money is very scarce in this country at the present and no hopes of it
being plentyer soon and the curency of this country is very bad indeed and
no prospect of its being better soon. Aunt Nancy is quite unwell and has a
very severe pain in one of her eyes; all the rest of the connexion is in
good health as far as I know and I believe I have seen all. They are all
living in this place but Cousin Vincent and Betsey. The old woman says she
does wish she was back again at least as far as Alabama, if not all the way
to good old Habbersham for she is tired of Texas, but I think she takes
things much harder than she need to as you know she always does. I have not
seen Metter for more than two weeks. He has been here but I was absent an
when I got here he was gone. I found my old mistress here and just as good
a woman as she was when I left here and about the same, I have not sold Jim
yet have not tried as I don't expect to sell him before I return to
Louisiana where I think I can get the worth of him which is more than I can
do at present. Nothing demands money here like my work and I am anxious to
do some of that so I may clear expenses on this trip. John L. Carithers has
moved to the city of Houston and I have not had the pleasure of seeing him,
but I saw Judge Brown yesterday, but was in his company only a few minutes
as he was on his horse to leave town when I saw him, but he lives in about
20 miles of this place and I had to promise to call on him but I don't know
when I will have the chance as I am very busy and will be until I start
home, I have not seen Henderson since I got here, but have learned that he
has a chill every now and then and wants to see me very much. I would write
more, but my paper has given out or nearly so, so I must quit. I am your
affectionate son,
Andrew
Copy from Script letter folded into a self envelope and sealed with wax
addressed as follows:
Mrs. Jane Hamilton
Elyton, Alabama
Date Taken: Saturday Night 15th December 1838
Place Taken: Nacogdoches, Texas
Owner: Bill and Olga
Wilson
Contributed by Bill and Olga
Wilson, October 2009
Copyright © 2009, Bill and Olga
Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
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