Letter to Harmon Vickrey - 11 August 1839 (Very hard to transcribe.  Spelling left as written but punctuation and sometimes capitalization added to define sentence structure.  If you see any errors, please let us know!)  [Click here for image of the actual letter]

[p. 1]
                                                                Augest the 11th 1839

                State of Misourie Montgomerie County

Most Dear and affectionate father and mother I take my pen in hand to let you now that I am well and hope these few lines may find you all in good health.  Mr. Raper and his family are all well at this time.   Wee are all at Calvin Field House now.   Wee reached there on the 4 day of Augest.  It is nine miles north of Danvill.  John ___ lives in Danvill.  They are all well I do think.  Wee had very bad luck in getting along? for the first.  The yanky waggon had the tire cut off bothe hind wheels and then off of one hind wheel the next.   an axeltree broke in the too horse waggon.  Got anew one in.  drove three days & broke out the new one.  got an other one put in.  Charley died.  Jacob bought a mare of the Widow Connor? at forty five dollars. payed thirty of it leather.    wee got along very well till we got over the Misourie river in too days.  Drive of Calvins then Captain and blaze runaway with the too horse waggon.   the only man about fifty got broke one fore wheel all to pices.   over got the waggon but no boddy hurt.  Wee was getting water.  it was occasioned by loos horses.  the horse flyes are so bad it is all most im possable to trave in the day time.   they are small green heads and big black ones. but Jacob and Calvin and my self

[p. 2]
we three doo in tend to start further up the Country to  morrow morning.  It is one hundred and sevnty five or so miles to Layfayett county and it is probably wee may gow as if air out as they ____ ____ ____ be fore wee return.  It is the idol part of the season.  i have not got any imployment there but pl__ __ work is one dollar per day when wanted.  Corn is one dollar and fifty cents a barrel.  Other grain in proportion.  i have not bee here long a nough to tell you that I think about it but Calvin has got a beauti full place if he had a spring on it or a well with good water.   but he get all their using water out of they Creek.  their bee __ few spring in this section of country Mostly over shot wells that is awell dug at they end of they house and rain water converged off the eave of their houses in they well.  i cannot tell you to write yet as I don't know where i shall bee for i thought if i can? I get way up a bought Casington?? in lafayett County but when i get imployment i shall wrighe again to you or Abiather to wright to mee as i should bee glad to hee from you all.  Cows are verry dear.  horses verry low __.  game verry plenty such as dear and turky.   some bear and some wildcat and other small game too tedious to mention.

[p. 3]
I wish you let all my bother an sisters know that i am well and hearty imist ___ My letter and you must excus my awkerd __ __ and bad writing for it is neer knig now I bade you farewell.

                                                        Duke Wm. Vickrey
                                                        Harmon Vickrey
                                                        Delilah Vickrey 

Father Field and Charlotte we must? write you a short note to let you know that we have not forgot you.  we are well but Louisa is complaing this eveng with Headack.   we are now at Calvins.  they are__  __  [torn] a day and [torn]ght with Mr. Scott.  he is here while.  am writing they all well send their remberace to you. he is high Sherriff of this Cty and much respected.  Lucinda wishes to be rembered to her brothers and sister.  Calvin Duky & myself starts this mornig to Layfaett and if not satisfied we shall go to the Plat Country.  it will take us about 4 weeks.  Calvins land lies just as you viewed it is a nice tract but the spring is not here.  I shall leave Hannah and the children with Eunice.   Calvin will write as we return.  I will write also.  I have started a letter with this tho my father go and see it.  Eunice wishes you to tell her brothers and sisters if they have forgotten her she will try to forget them.  Excuse short writing.  We ever remain of our Children.

                                                        Jacob & Hannah
                                                        Raper & Children

This page was last updated on 01/17/09. 

© 1999-2009 Mike & Pam Donahue.  All rights reserved. This information may be used by libraries, genealogical societies, and for personal use, however, commercial use of this information is strictly prohibited without prior permission of the owners. If copied, this copyright notice must appear with the information.