Nine letters between the Reid and Simpson families
written between 1816 and 1847
Contributed by Ralph Simpson
3) John B. Reid to his mother, Keziah Simpson
Reid (3/5/1816)
Outside envelope: Mrs. K. Reid
Caswell County
N. Carolina
Madison County Ky., March 5th 1816
Dear Mother,
I now write you to let you know I have not
forgotten you nor the many favors I have recd. from you. I was very glad
indeed to hear you had recovered from your fall you got in Chrismas & hope
this letter will find you & the rest of the family well. I am not
very well at present having a bad cough & pains over my eyes. But you
need give yourself no uneasiness for there is no doubt but what I shall get
well. – I have not been to see uncle & aunt Cleveland but will go as soon
as possible. I have been to see Dick Oldham & family & found them
very kind. I have also got acquainted with Keziah Thompson who made me
promise to come & see her which I should have done long since only the boys
are generally busy & cannot go with me. I have got acquainted old Mr.
T Reid & his family also uncle Alex’s John Holby (Holley?) & several
others of your acquaintances – I intend going over to Lexington this spring with xx
Hardin among the Heart family. – I have got acquainted with Jere Burton who
came to uncles the week before last from Ten. & setts off tommorrow with
uncle for hovire? & he says his father & the relations were well &
that Dick Williamson came there & made up a school & had 38 schollars
at $8 but drank very hard & at length agreed to quit his school at the end of
4 months if they would pay him for that time which they did & he had $69 on
Tuesday morning & went into town & on Thursday he had not a cent &
went on in this way.
I have inclosed you a cap which I wish you to accept as a memorial of my
gratitude & love for you – but I don’t want you to lay it by & not use
it. I sent it for you to wear. I have also sent Clarrissa a brest pin which she must keep
to remember me – Duke Williamson is well & living with uncle & working
in the crops he gets $50 & clothes himself he says he is coming to N.C.
next winter. Mr. Hardin & cousin Betsey are well & their son
continues to improve daily. Uncle’s family are all well. Give my
love to Tommy & Clarrissa & believe me ever to be yr. affectionate son.
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From the John Reid Papers #3882
Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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