JOHN BUTLER Letter 1867.
This letter is written with brown ink, and in the Illinois Butler family papers. The letter was sent to William and Nancy Butler, Madison Co, ILL. The Butlers were from: Henry (later county changed to Weakley Co, TN) Wiliamson Co, TN and other counties in TN. The family has 2 John Butlers, one Benjamin Butler (Rev War soldier residing in TN), one Edmund Butler that married Permelia Easley in Williamson Co, TN, one William Butler possibly the Father of the John Buler that wrote this letter. Other ties: Joel Butler, Thomas Butler, Henry Butler, William Butler, all in Tennessee. Family came from VA to SC to TN, with Edmund Butler coming to Madison/Macoupin Co ILL.
I have a letter from Como, Tn written to William Butler & Nancy Patrick Butler May 11, 1867, from the John Butler family. In 1867, the county was Henry Co, Tn. later it became Weakley County.
May 11, 1867, Como, Henry Co, Tenn. ..Dear Cousin, I take the opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that I am living yet. I think you all have forsaken me I haven’t had the crack of a pen from any of you in so long that I can’t recollect the date. I am afraid some of you al have got mad at some of my foolishness, if you have you ought not, for I mean no harm by it. I have wrote several letters and recieved no answer. I want to hear from you all, Cousin Catherine letter was the last I have heard from any of you.
I have ben married going on 4 years and have jest moved home to ourselves in the last month. I have ben living with my Mother-in-Law she has ben sick about three years confined to her bed the most of the time. Her son maried last month and the only child she has except my wife and so that leavst me and Arrilla.
I am not done planting corn yet I want to finish next weak. I have some cotten to plant yet we had a white frost last Tuesday night it bit the corn and stuff some. I fear it will damage the wheat mightly. This the growing wheat crop had been promising up to this time. Wheat is only worth two dollars, per bushel corn is worth 60 cents, per bushel bacon 12 1/2cents per pound, everything high and greenback scarce with me. I would be glad to see you all but I reckon I will not soon if some of you don’t come out here. I think that Frank or Henry could come out and see us and the country if tha would try and Cate if if tha are not all married. Bill, I wish I could see you. I could tell you aheap since I seen you. I haven’t stold any wood since we hauled stone coal nor ben whipt by a Methodist preacher.
Do you reckon he has saved a soul since he got drunk. Bill, ask Nan if she ever found her dish rag that I stold to cure my warts. If she has not I will not tell her where it is. Now Arrilla sends her best love and respects to you all. We have a little boy most three years oldhe is a pert chap but you know he don’t take it after me.
I must close my letter tell Elizabeth and Peter that I haven’t forgotten them yet and neither do I expect to forget there kindness to me while I was there sick. Ask Buck if he runs the chickens as much as he use to, give my respects to Aunt and her folk, tell them to write, tell Peter to write, and Rob and Lide. Give my respects to Sarah E. Patric and all who feel worthy of my inquiry. I want you all to write to me you know not how glad I am to hear from any of you.
I think Arrilla would be willing to move out there if it was not for her Mother being sick. I had rather live out there than here. I never knew how well I liked that country until I came back here. I must close my letter write soon and direct your letter to Tennessee, Henry Co, Como Post Office where it will be gladly recieved and promptly answered. Good by (Drawing of a hand stretched out, under the good by)
Notes: John Butler b. March 13, 1838 in Illinois d. Feb 19, 1884 married Arilla Frances Tyson/Ticen 24 October 1863 in Weakley Co, TN Also part of this Butler Family: Edmund Butler, m. Permelia Ann Easley/Ensley 6 Jan 1830 in Williamson County, TN John Butler born 1838, died 1884, from Weakley Co, Tennessee. His wife, Arrilla Ticen Butler born 1844, and died 1892. Son: Henry C. Butler born 1864, died 1886 and buried in the Butler Cemetery, Weakley Co, Tn. Also an
E-E Butler buried in the same plot at the Butler Cemetery. Weakley Co, TN
John Butler, 1838-1884 . Arrilla Ticen Butler 1844-1892 (Wife Of John Butler)
Henry C. Butler 1864-1886 Submitted by Crystal Jensen
