Bickley's Mills, Va.
Dec. 14th
J. Bickley, P.M.
Free
Mrs. John Gose
Clio, Pike County
Illinois
Bickley's Mills, Va. Dec. 13th 1836
Dear Son and Daughter,
With pleasure I devote a few moments of passing time to address you through the medium of the silent messenger. We are all way anxious and much grattified to hear from our dearly and well beloved children, it is one of our greatest enjoyments on earth to hear that you are all in health, satisfied and doing well, consequently yours of the 19th October did not on its arrival fail to give consolation to our anxious minds. We had not heard from Oscar and Mary for some time, your mention of Mary's having a daughter is all the account we have had of that matter, we do hope that they with the precious little babe are doing well. We expect Oscar will not fail to write soon if he has not done so before this comes to hand.
We were glad to hear that your friends arrived safely, doubtlass it produced feelings calculated to strengthen and cheer your mind, by them we sent to you and Mary three sleighs and some yarn which we expect you received, they were intended for the use of both Eliza and Mary.
We are glad to hear that Long is pleased with the country and hope that you may be a help and satisfaction to each other, from your accounts of crops and lively business appearance of the country we are led to suppose that your prospects for life are flattering. But for fear you should place too high an estimate on these things we would remind you of the uncertainty of the best laid plans for happiness in life, of the short time you may have to enjoy wourldly goods should you even live long, and that there is yet a better healthier and more happy clime, for the attainment of which it will certainly be the greatest wisdom of you all to make preperation and keep it in mind. We had a verry striking instance here yesterday of the uncertainty of life. Old Isam Hall aged near 90 years in attempting to cross the Clinch River at the mouth of Lick Creek got too lowe down and somehow fell off his horse and was drowned. Mr. Jas. Wheeler saw him fall and ran down to assist but the current had carried him perhaps 200 yards and before he could find and get him out the spirit had fled from the body, the river is not past fording to a person acquainted. We have had some cold weather for the season, about the 25 of last month the thermometer was down to 6 degrees. 20th it snowed, the ground is now just about clear of it, today it is raining with thunder, waters tolerable flush, crops of corn is not so good here as last year, a good deal not gathered yet. Pork sold as high as $6.25 for large hogs, generally at 6 dollars a hundred.
We had an election in November for State senator in this district to supply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Col. Keller. The candidates were (torn) Preston Esq. of Abingdon and Major Fayette Me (torn) of the county of Scott. Both B. McMullen was elected by about 400 votes majority. The following are spoken of as being candidates for the spring election, Col. Thos. Dickenson, Wm. Gibson of Lebanon and Cummings Gilmore for county representatives, Archer Jessee for Senate, who will oppose him is yet unknown, as who will be candidates for Congress is not yet know.
Dec. 14th, This morning the ground is again slightly covered with snow--and I again set down to say a few more words to you before the mail arrives. I should like verry much to pay you all a visit, if I had money sufficient to buy a settlement or so for the boys as Eliza says. But we gather it so slowly and have so many ways to scatter it here, that I am afraid that before we get much to spare I shall be too old for the trip and the land in your vicinity all sold. Upon the whole I think it verry uncertain whether I shall ever see the country or any of you except you should visit this country. Yet it may be possible if I should live many years and have health and strength and if their was good land well situated any where near you to be had at $8.25 an acre, or a moderate price, I should like to send what little money I could spare to you to buy some for the boys, as it will be out of the question for me ever to get land here for them. I am trying to send them all to school, what we conveniently can. Robt. Fugate's son Joseph is teaching for us at this time, boards one half of his time with us, he is quite an agreeable younge man and as a teacher the best we have had for sometime. We send sometimes half a dozzen of our children at once.
We had a meeting Saturday and Sunday last in the Temple, as we call our meeting house, it was intended for a quarterly meeting but the Elder Wm. Patton did not come. The circuit Preacher, Hugh Johnston, and I. Gaston were there and a tolerable congregation considering the cold weather and the Babtist meeting being at the same time. On such occasions when we see those with shom you used to associate taking their seats, we feel that those on whom we once looked with pleasure are absent, our minds immediately with the speed of lightning fly to the far west and enquire where are Eliza and Mary, Oscar and John, there for a while we linger, and then heavily and slowly return to our former composure. Tell Oscar and Mary that we should have answered their letter of 30th Sept. but I understood Oscar to say he would write again soon, but if he did his letter has not reached us, we are glad to hear that his Engine has arrived and will expect a letter from him shortly.
Miss Phoeby Lee was recently married to Mr. O.H. Price. She had been previously asked for and promised to Mr. G. L. Donohoo but delaying the cerimony too long she became more attached to Price and Poor Goerge was kicked. In conclusion I would say grandparents and relatives generally in this vicinity are with the exception of colds and hooping cough enjoying common health and getting along in the old way pretty much. Step Mother is very weak and feeble and has been so for a considerable time, her cough of late has nearly ceased. Father is in common health and as stout as could be expected. Expecting to hear from you again shortly we will conclude with our best wishes for your present and future prosperity and happiness.
Present out best love to Oscar and Mary with our Compliments of respect to Long and wife.
John and Elizabeth Bickley
P.S. The children and Blacks generall as also the Old People unite in sending their compliments to you Both and to Oscar and Mary.
Please show this letter to Oscar and Mary. Robinson Ganaway rides the Lebanon circuit I understand. I do not recollect whether I have informed any of you that W. S. Brownlow was married to Miss Eliza Ann Obrion of Carter County Tennysee. Such however is the fact, he has quit travelling.