Nine letters between the Reid and Simpson families
written between 1816 and 1847
Contributed by Ralph Simpson
7) Richard "Duke" Simpson to his
nephew, William B. Simpson (9/9/1845)
Outside envelope: Westport Mo
Mr. Willam B. Reid
Fayette County Tennessee
P.Office White Hall
Independence, Mo., 9th Septr. 1845
Dear Nephew,
I wrote you sometime ago
that my Daughter Henrietta and myself contemplated paying a visit to Sister
Keziah and your family and expected to start about the 1st of this
month – we prepared for the trip & had all things in readiness when to our
disappointment, my son Duke & Daughters Henrietta & Julia Ann were all
three taken down with the fever and had a violent attack – the first two are
recovering and I trust out of danger, but Julia Ann has been expected to die
every hour for the last ten days, however we think a favourable change took
place yesterday evening and we now have some hopes she may recover – this has
prevented us for the present from attempting to set out, & before she can
sufficiently recover to be left in safety, the season will be too far advanced
for a man of my age to undertake it. – add to this the Missouri River is so
low, that the steam Boats have ceased to run, consequently we could not come if
nothing else prevented – however we have not declined the visit & if I live
and enjoy my health untill next spring, I will attempt it if I find sister
still lives & I hope you will write me from time to time informing me of
her health.-
We had six weeks of extremely wet weather in May & June at the close of it
our crops looked very bad, but since that time the season has been favourable,
and they have come out surprisingly & will be very abundant. – My
whole family except those I have mentioned I think are in good health as I
sincerely hope these times may find Sister & your family – to all of whom
present my best wishes & believe affectionately,
Your Uncle,
[written in margin]
When you write again, tell me about your mother in law - if dead,
when and where she died & where her other children are.
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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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