Bickley's Mills Va.
April 16th
J. Bickley P.M.
Free
Mrs. John Gose
Clio
Pike County
Ill.
Bickley's Mills Va. April 16th 1836
Dear John and Eliza,
Yours of the 27th Jan, came to hand on the 16th of March bearing the grattifying intelligence of your all being well, and it some how impressed our minds with the belief that the prospects before you were some what flattering, that you were cheerfully looking forward to a time when you would be comfortably situated and advancing in the wourld. O what sweet communion with each other by means of so silent a messenger at so remote a distance to enjoy is a priviledge we should appreciate very highly. Dear Eliza your fectionate page was read and repeated with emotions perhaps only known to parents under like circumstances. We were much grattified to hear that you were not repining, but that you were in possession of fortitude and self command enough to pursue the even tenor of your way with cheerfulness. We do hope that you may be so fortunate as to obtain the Lands of which you speak so highly, with the beautiful situation, which must be very pleasant. If to these blessings your kind Creator and Preserver should in mercy add that of sweet health, O how grateful ought you to be for those blessings which are evidently intended to lead your mind to that happy clime, where Joy and pleasure are perfect without mixture of sorrow and pain. We fondly anticipate the pleasure we shall yet have at some future period, if life lasts, of seeing you both again in this your native place, where your juvenile days were spent among the hills and limpid streams. I have been for 2 or 3 weeks afflicted with complaint in the right ear. Commenced with considerable pain, finally broke and matter ran from it some time. It has ceased running but my hearing is not yet restored, the ear is yet sore and feels unpleasant. Your Mother has been in something like a similar condition but not quite so severe. Otherwise we are all enjoying usual health and getting along as usual with us, that is, aloly.
Our election is over, Billy our Cousin beat Doct. McFarlane about 100 votes. Mr. Bowling W. Redwine got 3 votes only. The last Legislature passed an act incorporating a company to make a Rail Road from Lynchburg to the Tennessee line, with several others. I have no interesting papers to send to you. I sent to you one of Hopkins against Carter. Saul. Aston sent one of Carter's to Oscar. By changeing you can read both. I cannot tell what Hopkins will say on his return, it is believed pretty generally that it is a party acting through Carter against Hopkins to prostrate him if possible that they may elect a Whig in his place. I do not believe that Carter wrote out his piece alone, and I have no doubt but what Hopkins could materially change many of Carter's representations, if he things propper to continue the controversy. Many of his friends advise him to let it rest as it is considered to be a law acurilious piece at best, the fact is they had both better been quiet.
Old Squire John Jessee was attacked with a stroke of palsy about the first of March and lingered abou 20 days and died, he was speechless and helpless greater part of time. Old Johnny Conway died about the same time from the effects of the cold to which he was exposed being lost in the Sandy Mountains 2 or 3 days without fire in some of the most severe weather last winter, some part of his feet came off before he died.
H.B. Gray's wife died we learn at Tazewell 7th Inst., she was under the care of Doct. Peary--she had not abeen well since they moved to Castle's Woods, she had something like dropsy. We received a letter from John and Ceily Price dated 21st Febr. They and Famy. well and McKinney and family were all well and wishes to know where you had got to and to be remembered to you all. We received a letter from Thomas Brown Dated Febr. 25th all well in that part, great talk of rail road one in contemplation which would run through his land. He had rather it would run a mile farther off. Land has raised in vallue from 50 to 100 per cent in the last twelve months on account of the improvements in that part of the country. He sent me a pamphlet to convert me over to Harrison for President. He thinks it would be greatly to the interest of the United States to keep Vanburen from being elected. But I can't do anything for him. We go for Van here-he stated that he had received a letter from you stating that ou are not satisfied where you are and that you thought of going to Missouri, and that he answered you and strove to dissuade ou from going to Mo. and encouraged you to come to his country, requesting John to let him know if he might look for you, but he had not then received an answer. I gave him in my answer to understand what were your views and prospects at present as stated in your letter to me. He stated that the widdow Brown's son Daniel had been lately married to Miss Ledosha Candler. Miss Candler went out with them last fall. There has been some marriages occasionally here, but I expect you have had an account of the most interesting cases in your Father's letter. William Gibson to Miss Sabray Horn were the last. It is said that J. L. Donohoe has strong inclinations to place himself in juxtaposition with Miss Phoebe Lee, but that a certain O.H. Price (son of old Daniels) succeeds so well in baffling his designs that J.L. is quite alarmed and very restless.
I am glad to hear that you have fine markets, but it is but little satisfaction when you are so far off as to have nothing to sell. Let me hear in your next how your wheat looks and how you are coming on in the stock and farming line, and how the sale of goods turned out. You said the sale would be on the 20 Inst. and your letter was dated 27th 7 days after the sale should have been perhaps you intend to say the 20th of next month.
You wished to know the amount of money coming to Oscar left in my hands. I am not able to tell you presisely what amount is due him here, but will give you the best account I can. He left with me Notes and accounts amounting to about $32, then there is some individual hog business in wich Love's interest would perhaps be $33. Then there is undivided debt between Alderson and him of which I have no account, on which I have received of Alderson $109.50. He also authorized me to receive a debt die him in Tazewell which Hopkins has for collection of about $200. and 30 dollars on Boyd for town lot. What amount will be yet coming from his and Alderson's concern I know not. The whole amount perhaps would be over $1200, some perhaps will be lost. I sent by Alderson $625 which was all I had collected. Oscar's note to me is for $432. Since writing the above we have had the pleasure of receiving your Blue letter of the 24th Feb. We were glad to hear that you both as also Oscar and Mary were all well and we hope as each one now attends to his own concerns that you are all getting along friendly toward each other. Your samples of janes and stripe arrived also, and are very good, for which you have our thanks, and in return we send some stripes. The draft cannot be had at present but will be sent perhaps in our next. John Dickenson and R. Boyd, F. Hendricks and Cooper drove the hogs last winter, port bore a fine price. I expect that before this comes to hand you will have received a letter from your Father giving you some information on this subject.
You directed that we tell your Grandfather Gose to tell little James howdy for you. I suppose that you was not aware that James was in Missouri with Unkle Joe and Polly. I have a letter on hand to send to them. I shall present yours and Eliza's respects to them and James. They live near Lexington, Lafayette County, Mo. You also wished to know where to direct to Joseph Bickley--Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana is the place. Let us know in your next how far you and Oscar live from each other and how your land which you expect to get is watered, whether you have a good spring, and how Love's people are doing, whether they farm it considerably or how they work it. I have given you some accounts of Marriages, Deaths, etc. I will now give you some idea of the increase here. It is said that there are 9 children born last week below here and none more than five miels apart. Our Little J. Fletcher is just beginning to walk, is quite a promising boy. James says tell Liza to send me some sugar. Nancy, Thos, and Helen are going to school to Mr. Lane from Scott County at our new school house. Fanny has to stay home as nurse etc. Wm. and Tevice are plowing in oats etc. all gowing and hearty (thank providence) they all wish to be remembered to you both and to Oscar and Mary. Accept of the best wishes of your affectionate Parents for you health peace and prosperity.
John and Elizabeth Bickley
P.S. The price of Negroes is still up. Squire Burdine sold Charles and Cary to Haynes for 800 dollars each.