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Letter
4
April the 27/56
Dear Father & Mother(1)
It is with mutch pleasure that I now attempt to answer your kind which received
a few days ago. I was very glad to hear that you are all in good health. We are
all well at present, the health of the people is generly good I beleive, I know
of no sickness in our neighborhood excepting Mrs [illegible]te, she is still
very low with the consumption(2). Father I
received those fine presents that you & mother
sent me, that is your likenesses. There was nothing that you could have ever
sent that I would have valued half so mutch. Oh, Father, their is no words in
which I can express thanks enough to you both for those mutch valued presents
and Oh if you could have seen Johny when I told him that it was his Grandpa & grandma
he says Oh Ma let me kiss them, I will have a Grandpa as well as Van(3).
It has been all of his talk ever since we received them. He will come every day
and
want to look at them and kiss them. I have sent lettys(4) to
her. Cleat(5) and sister Marthy(6) have
been
down,
they were all well, the Children
has grown a great deal,
I sent letty by them. They expect to move this faul to Baites wheather they sell
or not so I hear. I have not been to see them since last summer as the winter
has been so bad. We have a very backward spring, we have our oats sowed and corn
ground broke up but have not commenced planting yet. Mr Hays(7) keeps
his two wagons going all the time. He makes from twelve to $15 per day. He is
now gone to the
Potewatemys(8).
Mother, Aunt Feby Hays(9),
Wade Hays(10) mother
was to see me one day last week, she has moved up hear and alls Dick Hays(11) and
his family. Aunt Feby hays not heard
from the boys since some two or three weeks after Wade12 was
married. Uncle Jemmes(13) family
is all well,
he expects to start to Santeffe next
Monday, it is Aunt Marys(14) calculation
to go but I shal not believe that she will go untill I see her start and then
hardely
believe it untill I hear she passes the grove(15).
Mother I suppose you have heard of Uncle Johnson(16) Death,
as he dide last faul, he was not sick mutch over an hour. I have wrote to you
about Mrs Majors(17) Death
and about Aunt Elizys(18) Death and also of
Marys Death. The black Girl, Morris(19), was
to see her every day during her sickness
excepting about a week of the time
and then he thought she was out of danger and she had a backset. Dr Carr(20) was
to see her some two or three times. My letters has been so uncertain about goin
I hardely know what to write. Upton(21) sent
the Westport(22) paper in Febuary, write and
let me know whether you got it or
not.
Tell Jack(23) that I have not forgoten
him, that I want to see him very bad. Johny(24) very
often talks about his Uncle Jack, he knows all his Uncles names and very often
wants to know why they dont
come to see him. Give my love to all of my Brothers and recieve a large portion
to yourselves. You must all write as often as you can, so Farewell to you all
from your afectionate Daughter
Margaret J. Hays
to John S. Watts
E. E. Watts
[Summer 1856 (25)]
[First part of letter missing] Collins(26) has
an attacht of colery(27), he staid here
[letter torn] to ride horse back he went up home. Our corn looks fine,
the clearest of weeds of any corn I know of, they have plowed it over five
times and want to get over it once more before the oats is ready to cut.
I think harvest hands is going to be very Scarce. Lin(28) started
last tuesday. Amberson(29) and Pap(30) staid
all night with me. Am said that every one was down on Ambers Felernay(31) for
leaving the way he did. He said that he was not a bit sick, that he had
got a little homesick. He said that he was
satisfied before he started out but thought he would go a little peace
with you and if he did not like any better he would leave. Molly is still
with me. John has not forgoten you yet, he calls you every day. Give my
love to Frank(32) and Herb D & receive a large potion to your self. Write
every chance you have, so no more at present but remain your affectikonate
wife untill Death.
Margaret J. Hays to Upton Hays if you cannot read this bring it home and I will
read it for you.
I'll think of thee when evening closes
On a landscape bright and clear
I'll think of thee when hope repres
To Calm a grief that none can share.
When sleep upon every eyelid hovers
When every heart but mine is at ease
When darkness heart and ocean covers
Oh then I love to think of thee.
M. J. Hays
Oct the 29/56
Dear Father and Mother
Once more I am permited to answer a kind letter I received a few days since.
Your letter found us all enjoying good health and hoping these few lines
will find you enjoying the same blessing. Mr Hays has gone to Texas to look
at the country, he expects to be gone some three months. I wrote to you the
week before he started. We have peaceable times in the territory at this
time but dont know how long it will last. The health of the people is good
at present, I know of no sickness in our neighborhood at present excepting
Polly Hays, she was right sick this last week but is now better. I saw George
Bryant(33) last week. He said that John
Ferrels(34) wife Ann Bryant(35) as
uste to be, was very low, they were looking for her to die every moment then.
The
rest of the acquaintences was all well. Cleat(36) has
built out between Nutens old Place and Mr Rolands(37).
He expects to move this week. Mrs Vawn(38) staid
with me one night since Mr Hays has been gone. They both sent their love
to you all. They lost their youngest child some three or four weeks ago,
it was only a year old.
Aunt Mary(39) was over to see me last week,
they were all well. Aunt Mary has not got entirely over her beating the negro
gave her face is all scared all
over. Rachel(40) has gone to Chaple Hill(41) to
school. I heard from Caliway42 a few
weeks ago, they were all well down there. Calup Berrys(43) wife
dide a short
time ago, he had been married about a year. Calup was a son of Uncle John(44).
I have not been out to see Letty(45) yet
as Mr Hays sent for me a carriage a few days before he started. It has been
longer acoming than I expected
it
would be, it just landed today. He paid $125 for it, it is a very nice one.
I shall go out there soon if it dont turn to Cold. Mother, Larrenda(46) told
me to tell you that you had a mighty pretty namesake(47).
I did not mutch like to tell you that she was pretty for fear you would think
I was trying to
brag on her but every one that has every saw her thinks or at least speeking
of her being sutch a pretty Child. She is one of the best Children that I
ever saw. She has black hair, fair skin Blue eyes, round face. John(48) is
not stout like he uste to be, he has the phthisic(49) very
bad all the time, still
he is very fleshy. He has a spell every two or three weeks of Croup, the
last spell the Dr was to see him twice in one day. He will take sometimes
in a half hour turn so bad that you would think every Breath would be the
last. I asked John what I must tell Grandpa and Grandma, he said tell them
that he was going to see them when he gets big enoug. He calls himself the
little Border Rufian(50). Mother you may
be sure that Betty and Johny is great pets with us all. Mother, Cousin Becky(51) has
a son four weeks older than Betty, Cousin Polly(52) a
Daughter 4 weeks yonger, Becky Poteets(53) third son, the same
age of Betsy.
Give my love to all of my brothers and tell them that I have not forgoten them.
I would write to them if I did not know that when I write to one that you are
all near enough to hear all that I write. I dont want any of you to think that
I dont think enough of you to write for their is no Sister ever thaught more
of their Brothers than I think of mine. Mother I was mighty glad to hear that
Jemmy Lobb(54) has got in. He promised me that he would go to see you and take
you the likeness that I sent. Tell Jemmy that Johny has not forgot him yet,
he will very often talk of Cousin Jemmy bringing him candy.
Mother you wished to know how the negros(55) comes
on. Uncle Jemmy has bought Reason(56), Wilson
is hired to a widow womman across Blue, Ned Noland(57) bought
Ben(58), Henery is grunting about all the
time, he dont do anything much but quart and grumble. Sometimes he will lay
up all week untill Saturday then he
will
feel well enough to go to Westport. Nancy, she has been stouter this summer
than she has been in the last three years. She is very anxious to be set free.
Hannah is as tall as I am and a great deal heaverer. She would be a very good
negro if it wasnt for her dady and mamy, they make her with all the rest beleive
that they aught not to mind me as I was not their Mistress. I hired Hannah
out about the time Mr Hays started, for a cuple of months at $8 per month.
Harrison(59) the youngest Child can not walk
yet. Liz is my nurse, Andy(60) is almost large enough to Plow.
I must come to a close as it is getting late. I have no one with me but the
two Children and a yong man61 we have hired. I am very lonesome. Give all my
love to all enquiring friends, you must all write me often as you can. So fare
well to you all.
Margaret Jane Hays
John S. Watts
E. E. Watts
[Nov 1856](62)
Dear Father and Mother
It is with mutch pleasure that I attempt to write you a few lines to let you
know that we are well at this time. I wrote to you about three weeks ago, Mr
Hays has not got home yet. I received a letter from him last Saturday, he has
not seen any part of Texas that he liked. I look for him home about Chrismas.
I just returned from Cass County Friday. They were all well at Mr Rolands. I
did not stay out there as long as I expected to as it was getting very Cold and
I did not mutch like to be caught out their on that big perraria(63).
Bunnion and Mary(64) is going to school. Bunn
is almost grown, Mary is almost the
same size
she was when you left. Hear, Letty has began to look old, her hair is getting
gray very fast. I was at Cleats, they were all well. Travis(65) is
almost grown. Berry(66) has also grown a great
deal. Cleat(67) has improved a place
on the big Peria(68) between his old place and
Rolands. He has a very large nice house. He lives on the Westpoint Road. Old
Dr Lea(69) lives on his old place. You would
not know that country up their, was evry acher of that peraia(70) is
entered between
Nutens old
place & Bolands. Their is a little house put up about every half mile. Old
Uncle Billy Bryant(71) has built him a fine
house near our old grave yard. Chap(72) has
built at the campground. I was at Mr
Duncans(73), they were all well. Mariah
Browning(74) is staying with them this winter.
They were all well at Cousin Dicks(75),
they still have Cousin Mandys children.
December the 4. I commenced this letter some 7 or 8 days ago since I have received
a letter from you. I was very glad to hear that you were all well. I received
those Dolar pieces that was sent to the children. I had a chance to send them
in a cupple of days after I received them. Mr Hays has got home sooner than he
expected. They sold their wagons and packed in. He was very mutch pleased with
some parts of Texas. If he can sell his place for a good price he will move their
next faul. Lin also liked very mutch. Sam has not got home yet, he expects to
buy him a farm before he comes home. I know you would like to know whether I
am willing to go to Texas or not. I can not say that I want to go but I never
could feel satisfied to live hear as I do not think that Uptons life will ever
be safe hear, in fact I know it. He is known by a great many persons out in the
teritory and his life has been threatened and their is so much meannest carried
on hear to you hear of stealing and murdering going on every few days. The furs
is sorter stoped in the territory(76) now but there is more stealing going on in
the states than was some time ago.
Father, Uncle Bill Watts(77) is maried to a yong Widow. John and Betty is both
well, Betty is beginning to set alone, she is now sitting in her little Chair
a Sleep.
John talks about you all every day. Uncle Jemmy and Aunt Mary is well, they were
here one day last week. Aunt Marys face is still scared up. We are going their
tonight. Mr Hays sends his love to you all, also give my love to all enguiring
friends, to my Brothers in perticular and receive a large portion to yourselves.
So fare well to you all
Margaret J. Hays
John S. Watts
E. E. Watts
Letter
8
Febuary the 23/57
Dear Father & Mother
Once more I am permited to write a few lines to let you know we are all well
at present. I have been laid up with the pneuralgia for some two or three weeks.
Last week I concluded that it was from a decayed tooth that I had. I went to
the Dr and had it drawed. I have been better ever since, so mutch better that
I have been visiting ever since. I got home yesterday from Vaughns(78),
Bowlars(79), and
Dr Penaltons(80).
We was visiting around
up their three or 4 days.
They were
all well and wished to be remembered by you all. Jane(81) is
coming down next week to stay a while. Willy(82) is
a large likely boy, he dont
look like he every had
a days sickness. They say Tommy(83) is taller than Mr
Hays but very slender. I
have
not saw him for several years. I have not saw any of Mr Rolands family since
I was out their in the faul. I heard from them last week, they were all well.
Not finishing my letter when I commenced it I will now continue it. Yesterday
I had a house full of company. Yesterday their was some twenty five or thirty
eat Dinner with me. Mrs Ewing(84) and
several of Mr Majors(85) family
was hear. Aunt Betsy
Shull(86) from Caliway
and some
of Mr Hays kin
from Indipendence. Cousin Pap(87) is
agoing to start to Caliway in a few weeks. Jemmy Berry(88) has
taken a notion to
go to California
in the spring and wants Cousin Pap to go with him to see
his mother(89) about
going. We have had a very disagreeable winter, not mutch snow but a great deal
of cold weather and rain. I have heard
a great many say that
the ground has been frozen deeper this winter than it has been sence 48. Mr Hays
has not sold out yet, he gives himself untill next faul to sell out. If he dont
sell by then he will Build hear. I am anxious for him to sell for I dont think
he will ever be safe hear. It is the opinon of ever person I have heard speak
of it that their will be a greater furse in the teritory in the spring than has
ever been. The Yankes(90) is layin up enough of privisions
to last them several
years.
Mother I received your nice preasats that you sent to me and sister. I sent Lettys
cloak out a few days ago by George Bryant. Mother you have now idea how mutch
I value those preasants. I cannot send you enough of thanks for them. I intend
the first opertunity I have to have your name engraven upon the ring you sent
me and keep it for my little Betty. I intend to have her likeness taken and send
to you in the Spring. Father I have sent you two papers, one from Westport and
one from Indipendence, the one from Independence in the faul, the other a cuple
of weeks ago. I am in hopes you will get them regelur for they can give you more
news than I can write. Mother you wished to know wheather I ever received those
dolar peaces. I did and sent them out to the children. Father your little Johny
talks about you every day. He wants to know what is the reason I dont let him
go and live with Grandpa. He does not have his sick spells as often as he did
last summer. Father, if you and Mother and my Brothers was hear I would be as
happy as any one could be for I have as good a husband as and woman ever had.
Their is nothing that I want but what I get. I have the nice carriage and mules
so that I can go when and where I please and more than that I have two as smart
Children as any one have. Father I want you to write to me. Mr Hays sends his
love to you all. Give my love to all of my Brothers and receive a large portion
to yourselves, so fare well to you all
M. J. Hays
J. S. Watts
E. E. Watts
Father did you get your Masonic diplomy.
March the 21, 1857
Dear father & Mother
I Once more take this Opportunity Of writing you a fieu Lines to let you no that
we ar all well at presant and I am inhops these fieu lines will find you all
enJoying the Same blessing. We received your letter dated febuary the 1, we was
glad to Here you was all well. We got Some presants for the children, John was
pleased to Sea his and talkes about you and grandpaw. Bettyes bracelets was to
Small, we will Have to Heave them fixed, you had better not Send Margaret Anymore
fine prsents Or She will bea for Seting Out again. I havant Sene George Or Letty
Since i came back from texas, we meant to go Soon and Sea them. I will write
to you again and lete you no what they think about texas. I think that we will
all go to Ellis Co. though we have no Certeain place picked out. I havent Sold
Out here yet though I think i Can Sel aganste fall. Land is very High here, ther
was four hundred Achors(91) Sold the Other
Day for forty two Dollars per achor though I Onley Ask thirty for mine. Everbody
thinkes that mine is Cheap At that.
There
is a great many new Cummers here. Ever thing is mighty high here. I under Stud
that Corn out in Cass Co.(92) is five Dollars
per barrel. We Sint you two papers, the Independence and the Westport. We paid
for the Independence paper Laste fall.
I doant no that they started it or not, you never Say any thing about it. At
that time we had no paper at Westport. John Hatcher and James Hamelton(93) is
a
goin to fetch to that Country One thousand Head of two year Old Heffers(94). We
would like to Sea you all first Strait. So Nothing more at present.
Upton(95) and Margret Hays
March the 25
Dear Father and Mother
as Mr Hays has finished his letter I will write you a few lines to let
you know that we received your letter and also some presents you sent to
the Children.
Bettys bracelets was most too Small tho she wore them last sundy to Church.
Father, Cousin Sam Kimberlin(96) has
staid with me two or three nights here lately. He Bought land out in Johnson
County(97). Since he moved out their
has has got very much dissatisfied, he has been trying to rent a farm
in hear somewhere. He thinks Aunt Nancy(98) will move out hear. He wished me
to give
his love to you all.
Mother you wishe to know whether Travis(99),
Berry(100) apeared smart. I never saw any
smarter Apearently to their age than what they are. I think that Cleat(101) takes
as mutch pains sending them to School and learning them to work as he could
with his own. Berry is a great pet with them all. I have not seen Jimmy and
Johney(102) lately. Uncle Dick(103) has
a store and is making money very fast, so I hear. It will be two years in the
summer
since I saw Uncle Dick. Aunt Mary(104) was
hear one day last week, she expects to start down to see Aunt Nancy(105) soon.
Aunt
Peggy(106) is going also. Mother you wished
to know what had become of old aunt Eidy Moore(107).
She is living on the old farm, John(108) lives
with her. Sally Grinter(109) has but two
children, Susan Bryant(110) has none, her
health is very bad. America Burney(111) has
one child, Mary Oldom(112) one. Marriah Browning(113) has
two living. She lost a little girl about a year old. Darcas Selecman(114) has
three. I have not seen her
in a
long time. Mrs Duncan(115) has not heard
from Elen(116) for near a year without she
has heard in the last two or three weeks. Rebecky Poteat(117) has three boys,
the oldest
one three months older than John.
Tell brother Jack that I want him to write to me and to write to Dick Yager(118).
He has writen two or three letters and never got any answer to them. He thought
rite hard about it to so brother I want you to be sure and write to him,
it will please Uncle Jemmy and Aunt Mary so mutch. Give my love to my
Brothers,
I will
write to them soon and see if Brother John has forgot how to write for I
know he can write well. I must bring my letter to a close so fare well
to you all.
M. J. Hays
excuse my bad writing for Johny has spoiled my pen so that I cant write.
J. S. Watts
E. E. Watts
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