From a Collection of Hutchison Family Papers, Winthrop University, SC

Transcribed by Debra Lowe, Nov. 16, 1999.
From: Lowe <jlowe [at] synapse [dot] net: Transcriber’s note: I’ve added periods to make the letter more readable.  My copy was hard to read, so transcription mistakes are likely.  I have retained original spellings and grammar.

Outside of letter:
(From) Troy, Tenn
Nov 1st
(To) David Hutchison, Esq.
York District, South
Carolina, Yorkville
“In Haste”

Inside of letter:

Troy Obion County Nov 1st, 1830

Dear Uncle,
I have again attempted to write you a few lines on important business and by all means don’t neglect to answer these lines immediately.  I want you to send me at once (a?) coppy of my Fathers will.  I want it if possible by the fourth Monday in December.

Sarah Baxter and her children is Determined to Cheat me out of Nell and her increase after hagging at me in Carolina to buy them and after me getting them all here have give me no pease untill I give James Harper two of the negroes that belonged to the estate of Baxter and put Nell and her children into the estate. She has now got every thing first (as she thinks) to Cheat me out of about eight hundred Dollars she now shows her cloven foot. I am sorry to confess that I have a sister possessed of so much disonesty but I must judge the tree by its fruits I have don more for that family than ever.  I am for my own if possible and still I am an unprofitable servant.

My family and friends at this time is enjoying good health.  Crops are very good in our County.  Corn can be had for fifty cents for cash.  Last I have sold my cotton for two dollars and fifty cents in cash notes.  I have Eighty acres in Crop thirty of which is in cotton.  I have taken a trip this fall through the state of (transcriber’s note: word here looks like “Masuria”   Maybe he meant Missouri?)  Looking at they Country I am highly pleased with parts of it but not enough to move to it.  I think the climate too cold for my constitution.

on Saturday last  I had my horse saddle and bridle stole from the rack in Troy and has not heard anything of them since.

I must not neglect to let you know that I received a letter a few days ago from Dr. Hutchison which certainly gave me more satisfaction than anything I have heard in some time.  he tells me he has not  tasted spirits in upwards of twelve months. he has formed a (transcriber’s note:  word here mostly blotted out, but from context I’d think it is “temperate”, meaning “Temperance”) society.  he has joined the Presbyterian church, has his sins pardoned, he now feels (as?) though he was the happiest man on earth.  I might say with (two or three words illegible) almost he has persuadist me to be a Christian.

Dear Uncle let me a gain ask you the favour of writing to me.  It is the only means left us.  Although I am far from you in person I am still preasant with you in mind.  I have never rec’d but one letter from you since I parted with you in York.  Give my respects to all the family.

Yours
John Hutchison

(It also looks like someone has lightly written in a different handwriting “nephew of James” next to the signature)