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Updated June 27, 2002
Website owned by Randy and Toni Campbell. Randy is a
4-great-grandson of
William and Mary Collins Robey |
Note: This letter was written by Cyrus Asbury Robey, son of Levi and
Almira Waite Robey, to his uncle, John Colllins Robey, son of William
and Mary Collins Robey. Cyrus Robey was living in Waddams Township,
Stephenson County, Illinois, and John C. Robey was living in Travis
County, Texas. Every effort was made to preserve the original spelling, grammar, and
punctuation. This letter is courtesy of Mrs. Jane King Fohn. R. Campbell, Ed.
Fort Robey
John C. Robey
Dear Uncle,
I grasp my idle quill to write you, although I must confess that I am not in a writing mood tonight as I have caught a severe cold which has taken up its abode in my cranium. Hence, "I feel as though--And I verily believe I have got the Big head"; if I have not, my feelings and head do not correspond. In the first place I am exceedingly happy to inform you that our folks and kindred all enjoy that great blessing Health, My Better half and her big unworthy included. Days, weeks, & long months has passed since we extended to you the parting and said farewell. The time has not been so long. But the old iron horse has carried our much loved Brother and Uncle many miles from us. Oh! What a word. What volumes it contains. Farewell: I am both hard-hearted & case-hardened. I have stood unmoved upon the field of carnage, have witnessed scores of my fellow-men bid adieu to Earth with dry eyes and unshaked nerves, but when I bid you farewell the tears stole down my cheeks, my frame quivered like a leaf, my feelings overcame me. I could not give utterance to words I was wont to say, but the parting is over. We heard from you at Graybill, also at New Orleans. No doubt if no misfortune befell you--you struck glad hands with friends at home long ere this. You are now enjoying life in your old home in the once Sunny South but now the Military Despotism of America, while we your friends are inhaling the frosty and chilling breezes of our northern home. We are organizing our forces for the next Presidential Campaign, recruits are daily enlisting under the Old Hickory Banner. The Democracy will make a strong effort to wrest the reins of Government from the hands of Traitors more Damnable than Jeff D. & Co. ever was. If they fail then God save America. Congress is about to put Grant in Military Dictator Subject to no restrictions. We are bound to follow in the footstep of Mexico. I will drop this agrivating and very mournful subject and give you a few thoughts upon matters & things in general will drop the Solemcholly & take up my old theme "trifles light as air." I am busy collecting; get along finely; was out today, got home at four PM. It was wash day. My wife looked so sour I proposed a ride. She was agreeable. Sleighing is very good. Ben was on his pins for a go. Made the bells jingle furiously. After starting we very soon reined up at the door of our very jolly Cousin Geo Slothowers. They had company, had just finished a splendid repast of turkey fixings & C. We were invited to follow Suit. As I had not had any dinner, did not object. I managed to put myself outside of one or two turkeys, more or less. Pies and cakes suffered like grain in a hail storm. I left [3 WORDS] feeling it was good for me to be there. The M.E. Parson has been holding a protracted meeting at our School House. A few are seeking for the peace of great price. the folks are mostly over Manda & I felt like staying at home. I busy myself writing. A. is cracking Hazelnuts. She divides liberally. Brother Wm has moved in from Lena. He is living with father; will go on his farm in the Spring. He was down to Freeport and traded Wad his Highflooting team for his blacks--a [WORD] exchange the other day. Wm Phelps was down and made us a visit a week ago. He said Wm Mc, Mary, Miss Kate [NAME?] & Brother would be down last Friday. They failed to come. I learned today that John had been sick. Do not know any of the particulars. Suppose that hinders them from coming. Geo Rima and lady came down about three weeks ago. He stayed a few days, then went down in the vicinity of Dixon sucking Stamps. His wife stayed with us. He came back last Friday. He is making money fast. They went home today. Geo. thinks of buying Himself a little farm in this vicinity if he has good luck. Henry Wait, Mother's Cousin has turned up among us. I cannot tell you any thing about Him as he has not been here. I was merely introduced to him this evening. He is a fine looking man. He will call on us in a day or two. I have not seen Ide or Rob since you left. Have been waiting for Wm & Mary Mc to come & go along, but we wait in vain. I have not heard from your Mary Ann at Cedarville since your departure. Aunt Pecht [?] is all well; enquires about you frequently. She would make a glorious bedfellow in a cold climate but methinks she would not be adapted to a warm one. She is to Gross. Wood is raising Cain with the girls this winter. The horses have to suffer. He is off tonight--guess he went to bring Mary to meeting. He is a bold youth right--the reverse of what I was when I was young. Uncle Nelson gets along after the same old fashion. [3 NAMES], Manda and I were all up to see and cheer him up on new Year's Day. He gave me one of your photos. I must say I was highly pleased to get it. It is good. You look like a Philadelphia Lawyer under your flag. I think I will hasten to a close. Do not suffer this ill-connected scroll to reach a critical eye. I wrote in haste. Our folks all join in sending love and many well wishes to you all. Please replay very soon if you think this merits a reply. I remain as ever,
Cyrus A. Robey |
