Saml Allen, Esq.
Diana Mills P. O.
Dear Cousin
I am again seated pen in hand
for the purpose of writing you a few lines, as it has been some time since
I have written to you, notwithstanding it appears that I have
written to you since the receipt of yours, so
I will only say that yours for only one has come to
hand. - In the first place we are all well at preasant
notwithstanding most of us have been unwell. Cousin
Jemmy has just come in from visits some of the neighbors -
Uncle Robt is at
work upon a rat trap, Aunt Kittie is making a Blackberry
Pie, Little Jonney is playing upon the
floor, Jemmey has gone to school and you humble servant
seated as above ---
You thus have the
outlines of our several occupations, but perhaps you
dont know who Little Jonney is.
He is Uncle Suttons youngest child - the one Aunt Coth
has taken. I will here state that we have had nothing
directly from Uncle Sutton since his arrival in California
but have heard from him several times indirectly -
The last accounts were that he had arrived
at the diggins, and that the First week he and two other
Gentlemen from New Orleans realized $6,000 being $2,000 each.
This report is well authenticated and there is but little
or no doubt about the accuracy of the report,
he wrote to his agent in New Orleans. His Negroes were
brought up to Memphis at the same time of his Child
and in less than ten days three died. I have not heard
from there now
for several days - at the last account the Cholera was
raging to a fearful extent, upwards of Nine Thousand
have left and died together. Uncle Jack was in the
neighborhood a few days ago trying to get a location near
the Nashoba Springs for himself and a
number of other families during the Epidemic - We were
to have heard from him the next day but not a word has
reached us since. I fear he or a portion of his family
have been taken off by that fearful disease. I had a
letter yesterday, he stands his ground, while kindreds
are dying around him, he could tell
nothing concerning Uncle Jacks family. Such times were
never seen. None are exempt. Young Men and Ladies in the
very bloom of health perhapse in on hour are no more.
Business is almost entirely suspended.
Nor can you see a face that looks bright, nor an Eye
looks drye - As yet we have had no case of true Cholera
in the Country only those who contract it in Memphis
or some where on the river --- to the reverse - there is but
little sickness just at this time for two days I have
not had a call --- But enough of the Cholera &c.
Cousin Jemmey Says
he just wishes you could [see] his corn, it is higher
than his head when on his horse, he dont
mean just a small patch, but all his crop. The Cotton
Crop is likewise very promising and is blooming out very
prettily. Aunt Kitty says She
is smaller than you ever saw her. She desires to be
remembered by all the family, so says Uncle Robt. And Cos.
Jemmey __ You wishes you to know if there was any
thing in the way of instruction I might want to give you to
write to you. I am satisfied with
any thing you will do, only adding that you will
please take in an order which I gave Charles Sanders upon the
Father for some $10.00 or $20. Dollars as it appears
he cannot get his money - write me word if there is any
probability of setting the Est. of
my Uncles, and whether there will be any thing more comeing
to me, what has become of his Negroes?
Tell Cousin John to
come out one of these mornings and we will take a
fox hunt, they are very plentiful -
you may see them most any time when you have no gun --- ---
write to me soon giving my love to all the family
and relations ---
tell Cousin Sallie W that her namesake has given me
Thunder if you call No B any thing.
Cousin Jack Winfess family were well at last accounts,
which do not date very far back. I have not seen Calvin
for several days - he is well ---
Again write
Yours affectionately
W H Chambers
From the
Collection of Frederick Smoot
