Robey Family

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Ethelinda Reed to Cynthia Robey Graves, 1876

Note: So far no one has been able to tell me who Ethelinda Reed was. The letter's context indicates she was a cousin, but there is no clue as to whether she is a Robey, a Waite, a Collins, a Moore, a Graves, or related to some other family. Cynthia Graves is the daughter of William and Mary Collins Robey. In addition, I have left the date of 1861 intact, though the context makes it obvious that it is an error on the part of the person who originally typed it. In the first place, Mariah Waite Robey and William and Mary Robey, mentioned as being dead, were all still living in 1861. In addition, she mentions the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the death of Gen. Custer as a recent event, indicating a probable date of 1876.
Every effort was made to preserve the original spelling, grammar, and punctuation. This letter is courtesy of Mrs. Jane King Fohn. Any information about the identity of Ethelinda Reed would be greatly appreciated. R. Campbell, Ed.

Ethellinda Reed to Cynthia Graves
June 15, 1861
Yankton, Dakota Territory

Dear Cousin,
I have seated myself to write you a few lines after so long a time. Days & months & years have fled away since I have written to you, not knowing where you was until last winter. Cousin Levi told me that you was living near him. I have written to him twice and sent my likeness to Almira, and have not heard from them since; be so kind as to tell them to write and send there likeness to me. Dear cousin it has been so long since I have written to you. I hardly know what to write. One thing I can say I would like to see you once more and enjoy your company. In youth we seen comfort all together or at least I did for I thought there was no pleasure like going to Uncle Robeys and seeing you and the rest of the family. Them days have passed away and uncle and aunt and cousin Thomas and some of the rest of the family have passed away to the unseen world. My Father and Mother and Sisters and Brothers have gone the same road and dear cousin it will not be long before you and I will have to pass the lonely vail for old age is coming on and none can go beyond that time. I hope that death will not overtake any of us unawares. We all should be in readiness when our time comes. I hope that these lines will find you all well and enjoying yourselves. We are all well and are enjoying ourselves the best we can. My husband and son has returned from the Black Hills. They was in great danger from the Indians but made their escape safe and sound, but did not make anything. There is some gold there but it is a dangerous undertaking to be there now. In a year or so people think it will be safe. General Custer and some 300 soldiers was killed the 25th of June not far from the hills in the Big Horn country. We have a nice Country here whare we live and varry healthy in the warm season of the year. We have some sickness in the winter and some dreadful storms last winter. We had a mild and pleasant winter--warmer than I ever saw anywhare. We have a beautiful large town 2 miles from our place. We have a good prospect of good crops this year. Some seasons is rather dry. This is one of the warmest days nearly ever saw. I cannot scarcely write I am so dreadful warm. Dear cousin do write to me and tell me whare Aunt Nancy is, Aunt [arey?] Moore, and Fidelia and Nelson and Asa Wait and all about cousin Hubard's folks. I heard that Mariah died in Texas. Oh I was sorry to hear that news. Her and me was playmates in childhood. We have to all part in this world but is a hard trial. We have lost 4 daughters and two sons all died in childhood but one. The eldest of our family, a girl in her twenty-first year died of consumption by taking cold. She was greatly missed by us all. She was a good and kind girl loved by all that knew her. She had a mild and amiable disposition. not many a like. We have one son the same nature. We have but four children a living, three sons and one daughter. The two eldest are Marriada; the two youngest are at home yet. Mary is our daughter's name. Our eldest son's name is Thomas Jefferson, the 2nd son is James Madison, 3rd son is William Asbury. So no more for the present but remain yours truly until death. Goodby Synthia Graves

from this Ethellinda Reed

Give our love to all and take a portion for yourself. Write soon and do not forget my dear cousin. Come and see us if you can.