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.
From the John Reid Papers #3882
Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
|
1) John B. Reid to his father, Major John Reid (1/9/1816)
2) John B. Reid to his father, Major John Reid (3/3/1816)
3) John B. Reid to his mother, Keziah Simpson Reid (3/5/1816)
4) Richard "Duke" Simpson to his brother-in-law, Major John Reid (4/24/1816)
5) Richard "Duke" Simpson to his brother-in-law, Major John Reid (5/8/1816)
6) Richard "Duke" Simpson to his nephew, William B. Simpson (4/7/1845)
7) Richard "Duke" Simpson to his nephew, William B. Simpson (9/9/1845)
8) Richard "Duke" Simpson to his sister, Keziah Simpson Reid (5/4/1847)
9) Duke Williamson Simpson to his aunt, Keziah Simpson Reid (10/25/1847)
