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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.
McConnell's Grove, Ills
Remembered Uncle:
It seems that you have had more snow in Texas than we have in Ill. If at one time. I do not think we have had more than four inches at one time. We had however some quite cold weather. The mosquitoes [elie] not bother us much, although they would sing on the corners sometimes. Taking Every thing into Consideration we had a very mild winter. It commenced to Rain on the 5th [inst] continued several days. The result was the water in the Pecatonica River was two feet higher than it has ever been since our folks has been out here. It looked like the Dad of all drinks. Bridges, fences &c &c had to suffer, I'll assure you. Bobtown the Notorious City was in the midst of a Sea. The Water was over Rockeye Store Porch. Me thinks I would like to have been where I could have taken a Bird's Eye view of Some of those Beautiful Churn-Heeled Dutch women retreating for tall timber on a picket fence. You may say "its no laughing matter." Why not? There was no lives lost; better laugh than cry. Thos Kahl and several others had to move out in the country. In one way it was an advantage to some of them Dutch, for in weeding out they got their feet washed. You know it would take an immense quantity of water to cleanse them up in a passable good style. Geo. Slothower was as mad as a caged Hyena. The water was nearly up to his house, of course several feet deep in his stables. He had to drive or turn his sheep and fancy cattle back in his field into the cuckleburs which of course did not exactly suit his fancy, but it was the only alternative. The RR and wagon Bridges were all swept away at Rockford, also in many other places. But the flood has subsided and at present is in just the right stage for Suckers & Bull Heads to run.
If we can manage to scoop them out we will no doubt live high. We have had no Sugar weather, for although we expect it will be on hand soon if we have any. I am building a Boat to cross the river in Monday---if nothing happens I shall introduce myself to the camp and put things in order to receive the sap when it comes. I will remember you and eat a chunk of wax about the size of my foot for you: Oh! You need not throw back your head and laugh! I do not expect to devour a pile of wax of that caliber at once nor in one day, but will kill considerable time in accomplishing the feat. But Hark! The tick of the old clock. Calls my mind to the time of night. It is near eleven O'clock. I think I had better drop my quill, retire, and deliver myself into the sweet embrace of Morpheus. My Better half is sitting by the table sewing. She looks tired and sleepy but as Long as I am up there is no use trying to get her to bed. She can't rest well without her Big Ugly Half occupies his part of the nest. I will bid you good night. Will finish on the Morrow.
Sunday Eve--15th. This has been a fine day. Attended M.E. Meeting this forenoon. the Preacher Mr. Smith came over and took dinner with us. He has gone. Will preach at Damascus this evening. Mother got a note from Ida yesterday. She is sick. Was bolstered up in bed when she wrote. She is threatened with the lung fever. Father & Mother went down to Robs today. Mother will stay a week or two. Father will report at HdQuarters in a few days. I have not been down to Rob's since your departure. Neither have I been up to Father MC's. Made Asa a short call in company with Am. Caught aunt in the wash tub. It made her Spunky. She talked of thrashing me. That is the only Calling I have done alone this winter. I brought my collecting business to the point on which I got my stamps in about six weeks from the time I commenced. My percent amounted to $238.00 on the square. I am aspiring to no office this spring. Am out of the ring. Wm. Phelps was down alone. He only stayed from Saturday till Monday. A short stay but we had a good sociable time while he tarried. The young folks have not been down although we have expected them all winter. (guess they have soured on us) but Mother Mc, Wm, Mary, & John have all been quite unwell during the winter. They have sold out Hook and line in Galena, were packing up & preparing to move back into the old [hise--house]. I suppose they have bid adieu to my old Sparking ground ere this. If so, Father, no doubt, is a well pleased man. He was, you know completely disgusted with living in Galena & I did not blame him. The city has no charms for me now. The lode stone that once drew me in that direction is now my daily companion & mine by law--you would be qualified to that fact would you not, Uncle John (I like Alexander Silkirk am monarch of all I survey; My right there are none to dispute) lest I forget it I will state that I have not seen or heard from your Duxy Ann at Cedarville since I wrote you. I will take some pains to enquire after her and report in my next. Prof. Rima has been here & staid [sic] nearly a week with a lame horse since I wrote you. He is all O.K. Said I should remember him to Uncle John when I wrote again. His brother-in-law H. Troy Has hired out for Eight months & is now working for Will Diveley. He came over here last night; him & L. Woodbury are missing since meeting. Guess they have called down to see how old Aunty P. prospers. The Mipes Pechts are quite well, I thank you. Mattie teaches the Fairview School this summer. I engaged our school [?] Kate [?], but as we did not get out home & of course did not see her to find out whether she would come to teach it or no. Will have to give some one else a show. Ella S. could have it but we do not know whether she is coming to Ill. or not. I have not heard from her for a long time. At last accounts they were well. The Friends are all well except Ide and Alice Robey. The latter poor little creature has the St. Anthony's dance and we fear she will become a cripple. Mill and Tute are now living with Father. They will move into their house the first of April. Tute's health is quite good for her. Emma & Meda Diveley's schools have closed. They re both at home now. Margaret's school has not closed yet. Uncle N lives in the same lonesome style. He is now talking of buying a residence in Lena. I think it would be a wise idea. He can live at his ease if he would only think so. If he does not enjoy His House and Stamps, how foolish.
Your photograph occupies a conspicuous place in my album. I call it a good specimen of a genuine Robey. I have never had our pictures taken yet. When I do you shall have one of each. How does your shrubbery prosper? Do you imagine it will pay you for the trouble you took in selecting it? Father rec'd yours [i.e., letter]; they took it to Rob's. I did not have an opportunity of reading it. Father told me to tell you he would reply soon. In my other letter I commenced in a Solemn--[holy] mood & ended on trifles and variety--but this time I will reverse the matter for a change as I have changed my tactics. I hope you will excuse some of the light and trifling remarks I have made, as no harm was meant-- I only wished to divert & cheer you for a little. We will have the best of the wine at the last of the feast. I will now dwell upon religious matters, as I am happy to say God in his infinite goodness has Subdued by the power of his love my stubborn will & melted my hard & flinty heart into a heart of flesh. Shortly after New Years the M.E. preacher commenced a series of meetings here at our School House. He kept them up for some time. But little good was done although a great many were convicted of the error of their ways, but resisted the stirrings of the Holy Spirit. Finally the meeting was adjourned to Bobtown the very headquarters of sin and iniquity. God moved powerfully upon the hearts of the people. The word that was preached was like seed sown upon good ground. A number of wanderers returned to their Father's house, and many of the very hardest cases were convicted, sought for & found peace in believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Your unworthy Nephew was one of that number, & tonight I feel to thank God that he has spared my unprofitable life. My eyes were blinded with the God of this world, & since God in his goodness has lifted my feet from the mire & clay, and I am permitted to see the condition in which I stood. How for years I had defied and feared neither God nor man. I am astonished that I was not cut down as a cumberer of the ground, but instead of dealing with me in justice he has remembered me in mercy. He has given me a new heart. I feel like doing unto others as I wish to be done by, and expect God to forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me. I have erected a family altar and am determined to take up my cross and follow my Heavenly Master through evil as well as good report. About thirty-five were soundly converted at our meeting. I will mention those you know. Mr. Wolf and wife, Will Diveley and wife, the two Miss Williams, Richard & Jacob Rayborn, Frank Wait & Tute Pecht. Twenty-seven or -eight united with the M.E. Church. It is the Church of my choice. We had a splendid Class Meeting today. Am will join with me as soon as she gets her letter. Uncle John, when you lift up your Heart in prayer to God in the sunny South, remember me, bear me up at a throne of grace. My prayer is that God may give me grace to overcome the world, flesh & the devil & that I may have the religion that will carry me safely over the dark valley of death and that will enable me to enjoy the Blessings which God has laid up in store for all those who keep his commandments and walk steadfast in the narrow way. Do not think Uncle that you are forgotten, for you have many kind hearted friends in Ill. I am one of that number and very often does my mind wander to your Southern home, where with my mind's eye I fancy I see your manly and cheerful face, but many hundred miles separate us. I will always respond promptly to your letters. Write often. Your letters are most welcome. (Am says tell Uncle John I will write him before long) and should we never be permitted to see each other again in the flesh, Oh let us prepare to meet upon the sunny banks of Canaan's bright short. But I must bring this long and ill-connected scribble to a close as I know I have wearied your patience. It contains a great quantity but very poor quality. Excuse mistakes. I have written in haste & in a blundering way. Remember me kindly to inquiring friends. Accept the love and best wishes of your affectionate nephew and niece for your prosperity and happiness.
Yours, Cy A. & A. Robey |
