D. and Marthena Davis – 29 Sep 1851

Addressed to 
Green A. Davis, 
Union Parish, 
Farmerville, La.


Henderson County, Tenn 
September 29, 1851

Dear Son,
I received your letter of September 2. I am very week and feeble 
at present. I was atacted with a bilous fever about the 10 of August. 
I broke the fever very qwick but mended slow.
James and Susan was atacted about the same time. Susan had a conjectiiv 
chill and wold have died no dout had the doctor happened to be thare. 
Many had died with it in these parts.
Also about the same time David Y. was atacted with Tyfoid fever and 
died the 10 day. The family was moved to Matlocks. 
His wife was taken first. The Matlocks hole family was taken 
before and afterwards. Not one of us coud go to see him. 
They sent for myself and John B. At that time his wife had a 
child born and died. 
Not one of the family ever saw him before nor after his death. 
They brought him to my burying ground and buried. This has been the 
sicklyest time since 1840 and the dryest and hotest I ever saw. 
Thear is few famileys that mis of being som sickness in it. 
The fammins that threttins and the pestilent that now is in the land 
is a grate warning to every one to prepare for death.
I returned last evening from a meeting on Maple [?] and came by 
Matlocks to see Betsy and child for the first time since they were sick. 
She looks very week and lean as does all the fammily. I know not 
whether you was aquainted with Matlock or not. He has undertuck 
the aminastration of what he has left.

D. Davis and Marthena



October 2,
I am not as well as I have been. My ride Saturday and Sunday was too 
hard for me as week as I was. My old lady is complaining of teeth 
aches today. She has talem cold. We had frost Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
I shall rite precisely the same about the seasons and crops that you did. 
It has been dryest I ever saw. There was barley rain anuff to bring corn. 
No more till August to wet over a inch deep, then there was anuff to 
start corn again. It come out better than coud be expected. 
Now since turnip and gardin is none as you might say, though my turnips 
is good. So I stop for Michel Montgomery to rite down.
David Davis



Dear Cousin,
I imbrace the present opernity as I happed to be here at the time 
that Unkel David was wrighting this letter. Mother is well and family.
John M. and his family is well. Tha live with me and mother. David G. 
Montgomery has gon back to North Carolina. 
I am not maried yet but I am in hops that the time is not in 
far distant when I shall hear the glad sound "I pronounce you man 
and wife". But the girls all tell me so proud "they don't eat mush" 
and when I go to court them they tell me to hush, no more on that 
subject. 
I am going to start to Missouri in about twenty days and 
I expect to stay until Christmas. I want you to writ to me all 
about the country where you live. 
Write to me or I will write again no more.
I remain yours. 
M. Montgomery



Friday 3rd
I wated for John B. a day or three thinking he might come to see me. 
he had not been for some time. I expect Henry Morris dead. Thely sent 
for his sroud yesterday. They live neighborurs on Cubb. I ad no more.
Your affecionate father til death. 
David Davis

I have brok my ax this morning and am vext. I want to build my house 
that we had on hand for sometime. It will be 22 x 14 logs high which 
will make good roome [?] above.
David Davis


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