Letter from Silas
Farmville, Virginia
Christmas Eve, 1839
Mrs. Judith Biglow
Shady Dale,
Jasper County, Georgia
My dearest Judith,
Your letter of Dec. 16 came to hand today. I had been talking of writing to you
for a day or two, but concluded to wait for a letter from some of your company. It
of course gives me much pleasure that Frances Ann is no worse, although not at all
well. I hope the weather in Ga. will soon be milder and that she will still im-
prove, though the character of our weather here does not favor that hope that yours
can be mild. There has been snow on the mountains ever since the 24th. of Nov. and
the snow here is now about 4 or 5 in. deep. It fell on Saturday night, commencing
about 12 o'clock. The weather last week was generally very cold.
I spent last Saturday night at Mrs. Woods with little Charlie. I sent for him
on Friday evening, and had a note from Mrs. Wood that he had an eruption resembling
the measles though he seemed perfectly well, and as it was very cold, she did not
think it appeared when I was there, but he had no cough, and scarcely the slightest
perceptible fever. I regretted very much that his situation made it advisable for
him to remain at Mrs. Woods, as I expected to be at home all this week, and intended
him to be with me, as the boys have gone to Mr. Slinn's for Christmas.
I visited mother and sister Sally the Tuesday after I wrote you, and I have seen
them once since. I found mother very calm and resigned - just her usual composure
and placid serenity. She bears her afflection better than could have been antici-
pated, tho sister Sally says that she is alone, she grieves very much. Sister Sally
also bears it with much composure.
I spent a night at James Woodson's the first trip. Elizabeth was very well,
and much fatter. I did notice her the last time, but James told me that she had
not been so well, tho she had had only one fit, that was before my first visit.
Bro. Charles keeps much as usual, except that his cough is much better than when
you left. My own health is very good.
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The negroes have all kept well, except that Luch was laid up for a few days the
first of the month. She has got the cloth for the men woven, and their pantaloons
made up. Pup burnt one of his hands badly some 10 days ago by falling with it into
the fire. It is nearly well, tho the end of his little finger came off. I do not
know whether it is too far up for the nail to grow or not. Luca has sold a few
eggs for you, and I have got the money and spent it. I believe this is most of the
family news, and I have little of the neighborhood news to find. It was been gene-
rally healthy except for a great deal of measles.
Mr. Ely has been confined to his house most of the time since you left, and I
thought it very doubtful at one time whether he would ever get out again. He has
been much more comfortable the last week. We talk some of visiting Georgia if he
is well enough, say in March or April, for the benefit of the journey. I am sorry
to say also that Mrs. Binford has had an attack of palsy in one side of her head
and face, extending on down into her neck. It commenced perhaps 2 or 3 wks. ago,
tho' I never heard of it, until Mr. Ely today requested me to mention it. Your
other acquaintances are generally well. I do not recollect whether I have men-
tioned the death of Mrs. Sally Venable, who died, I believe, the night you left
home.
There is nothing saying or doing, I believe, in church matters. They have em-
ployed the Rev. B. F. Stanton as a supply, for half the time at the college church.
I have not got arranged my money matters, altho' the time is drawing very near
that it must be done, if I save my property. I have very fair prospects of being
able to do it, altho' until I get the money in hand, there will be doubt about it.
I rec'd yesterday a draft from Binford for $800, which, if it is and paid will aid
me very much. I sent it down yesterday. I fear it may not be paid. I have the
promise of $1000 from each of 2 other individuals the month of January for my mul-
berry contract, but promises are not money. One of them told me he would be in
Farmville today with the money. He did not come. Either because he did not get
the money, or from the bad shape of the roads.
There are no sales of mulberries. I do not believe the persons can be found
here who will even plant them out in shares. Mr. Land offered to plant on halves.
I have tried several others unsuccessfully. I wrote to Wm. Watkins, who I under-
stand was disposed to go into the silk business, that we would put in trees, if I
could sell my land, I would undertake the personal management of a cocoonery. Dr.
Smith forgot to carry the letter but told him he believed it was in reference to my
or A.P. engaging with him in the silk business. He remarked that he had thought of
making some proposition on the subject to A.P. I wish brother A.P. would send me
his views and wishes as to his mulberries. Shall I get some one if I can to plant
them on share, or should I make arrangements for him planting them himself, or go
in shares with Mr. Watkins or some one else, if an opportunity presents? Let him
write by return mail. I do not know when I will be able to leave here. I suppose
nothing can be done in Georgia in selling cuttings. My love to Mrs. Ware, Fanny
and brother.
Yours as ever, Silas Biglow
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