Captain Isaac Williams and His Grandchildren

Williams Family History

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CABINET: 1 (55)

(Elkanah Williams: Correspondence)

(1) RESPECTED BROTHER

United States of North America State of Indiana Lawrence County,

July the 4th, 1853

Mr. Elkanah Williams, Respected Brother:

As I am sick with a bowell complaint today, and having received your letter of June the 5th yesterday, and as there is not much going on today but Barbecues and big Dinner, in Commemoration of the Elustrious 4th of 76, I think it a fit time to answer your letters.

We are all well as common but Mahala, She is dead! She Died 1st of June; was as well as usual until the day before she died. She was unwell, and at night she took some Medicine and in the Morning she thought she ought to take some oil; Eli fixed it and went to the bed to give it to her, and spoke to her and she said nothing, and in a minute he saw she was dying! He sent a boy to our house and I jumped on a horse and went up as soon as I could, but she lived only 3 minutes after I got there.

The children took it very hard, (and in fact Eli no better). She has been sickly so long that it did not surprise any of us, (and I think it will not you). They are doing well. Richard has a lite tuch of the Blues at the time, the 1st one he has had since his wife was sick. His health is better, but I think he gets more foolish every spell.

James K. Polk has left Hall's, and is at Richards. Hall gets drunk whenever he can get it. Ambrose proposed to me the other day that we would go over some night and prize him out and look at him by moonshine! I have but little doubt but it will have to be done. (So if you write, say nothing about it.) Ann has met her mach in Hall. Her boys are living with us and Bart.

Bart was here yesterday, which was Sunday, and brought your letter. He says that he saw Jim's wife, and your children and (they) are all well. Elkanah, I shall not name all the connections, suffise it to say, they are all well, excepting bowell complaints. Cytha, Eldridge and myself have it the worst sort. Dick is hearty, he has a fine son born the 2nd of May. Bart's wife I think gets stouter.

We have fine corn, sorry oats, and the best wheat you ever seen. --Rye indifferent. -- As a general thing health is good save Flux (and) Wooping Cough. -- Bedford lost several with these two complaints. -- The old man gets along much after the old fashion.

The Pork Men have sustained a very heavy loss. Ambrose and Bowline lost they say 9000 Dollars, others think it more. Wash and Gaither have a fine crop on the Oliver Farm. Rail road stock is better ($37 to the share) if it will get up to 50 ours may slide; I never think it will. We sold Jim 4 three year old steers the other day for 75 Dollars. I bought a mare this spring for $65 worked her a month and she took the colic and died. So goodbye 65 dollars. --

CABINET: 2

I am glad to learn that you are well pleased with your trip to Paris. If you want more money, put it off till just time to attend to it, then write how much, when send it, how send it and I will get it for you. It is very likely that I will have to get it out of the Bank, which will make it aspedient not to get it till you want it.

We have dry weather, but I think there will be good corn crops this year. and of course pork will be flat. Come what may, we are so near out that we can see out; which is more than some can do. We are making large pasture of blue grass with the intention of raising cattle. We intend to sow 100 Acres in clover in the spring, for the Hogs I think there is some way to make money with less work than we have generally done.

I received a letter from John Butler and V.I. Irvin in California the other day. Vol says that they are not getting rich so fast as some wrote back, but are making 100 Dollars per month, and well. (Deleted: An unclear item about brother Garrett.)

Elkanah, you in your first letter to me gave a description of the french horses. Henry Culbertson brought the letter to me, and when I read it, he was very anxious I should find out more about it, and if we liked, we should make arrangement with you to bring one when you return to the United States. I was to write to you on the subject, which I did. And have received your letter.

Now Elkanah, I will tell you our object. First, we are 5-- if he dies It is but our luck; 2nd, if they are large and stout as you say by crossing them with ours we can produce a good breed; 3rd, that mules are the highest they ever were, and every fellow of the big bugs have turned their attention to them, and you can easily see that large mares are the ones to raise mules from, (and finally) that a large mare is worth 150 dollars. Therefore it is, that we want a large horse

I have no doubt that if we had one, that he would pay expenses the first year. We would stand him so high that we would get but the best mares. in order that you -- (Here Uncle Jack lays down his pen.)

July the 7th -- Elkanah, I have seen H. Culbertson, and shown him your letter, and he thinks we will be certain to want the horse. I will tell you what to do: see some of the best of the horses, take a Tape Line and measure him around the girth, and then around the whole Horse that is, give us the circumference from the center of his breast around his body, to his breast again. Also, see if there is any way of Inshuring him to New York.

We think of sending for him before you come home. If we had him here this winter, he would pay- for himself by the time you return to the United States. Men who ought to know, say they would as soon risk him by himself, by having him Insured, as to have some person with him. I want your opinion on that, Elkanah, as this will cost you considerable of Trouble, but if you will attend to it, I will return the complement -- If we can send for the horse, then it will be a fit time for you to send for what money you want ----

I think that we will be nearly certain to send (for) him, before your return. Please to give all of the Information that I have requested --

CABINET: 3

It is awful Drye here -- corn looks well, but wants rain. we are done plowing, and are in the Oats -- Our oats are good, but oats in general are sorry. I have worked the hardest this summer that I ever did. So hard that I cannot write (that you can see without telling you). Bart is nearly done, Garret is done --

Since writing the above, I learn that the James Boys and wife -- have the Chills, but not bad. The old man is hearty. I want you to see (to) all the things I have requested of you. and then write immediately -- be certain to write.

Yours in hopes that we may see Each other again -

ANDREW J. WILLIAMS

N.B. (Big rain today)

(Editorial note: The “old man” is

(Captain Isaac, still hale and

(hearty when this letter was writ-

(ten.... Elkanah's two girls were

(OK -- but one of them would be

(gone before Christmas.... The

(items about Hall concern Anna

(Kern's second husband.

+++

(2) DEAR SALLIE

New Albany

April /29 or 30/ 9. A.M. /1856/

Dear Sallie:

I hear this morning that Dixon died Tuesday night. Jack is still very sick -- no better. I am going out on the cars in a few minutes--will see him tonight. I fell sad this morning beyond all expression. Since I was last at Bedford, father & Dixon have both gone to eternity. My brother in law Mr. Kern died while I was there, and in all probability Jack may soon follow.

0h how uncertain is our lease upon life & how little is life worth living for!! Within the last few years so many of my dear relatives & friends have died that I scarcely feel any more desire to live myself. You know that I do not set a very high estimate upon my privilege to sojourn longer in this world of sorrow & disappointment.

But, my dear, do not be sad at what I say. It is for you & your sweet Belle that I still want to live, & if I cannot be happy myself, it is my ardent ambition to Contribute to the enjoyment of those whom I so dearly love.

Adieu dear Sallie -- Adieu

E. WILLIAMS

(Editorial note: Dear Sallie is

(Sarah McGrew, second wife.Sweet

(Belle is Mary Belle, daughter

(by 1st wife, Sarah Farmer. Mr.

(Kern is Eli, Mahala's husband.

(Dixon died April 28th, after MN.

CABINET: 4

(3) DEAR BROTHER

White River, In(d)

March 16th, 1857

Dear Brother:

I take the opportunity I now have to in form you that we are all well except Jack he is in trouble verry much with a pain in his hip he is over at Port Williams at meeting will be here in the morning and write to you Jake Wright has been preaching over there for three days we were all over Sunday Becca and I were over to day was too tire to go tonight the boys is gone. I have got no answer from you since my last letter.

It is fine weather now and I hope we will have spring it is a very scarce time of food for stock Jack & I will have enough I think to take us through we have 175 head at the Ratliff place feeding them fodder corn and all. I have 13 fat cattle nice ones, I can sell them at 4 cts gross now do not intend to sell till about the middle of may I wish you could write to me and let me know what beef is worth in your City write ever few weeks and it may be of some advantage to me.

Alex Cox has 10 head and Ab Armstrong has 10 head. We will all sell to gether Richard has ten or twelve I don’t know what he is going to do with his Garret has three head he has been feeding them about 2 years and has kept them from 10 to 50 dollars above the market they consist of two old oxen & one old cow se have lots of fun with him about them they are verry fat he says if there is any money in cattle he don't know where it is

A man from Albany was to buy them last spring and the same man was back a few weeks ago but failed the fun was the man took his horse across the river over night as the is was about to break up Garret told him he could turn. him In the hog pen over there the man came back staid till next morning after breakfast Garret said he asked him if his horse did not need feeding next morning no he replied I fed him enough last night to do him Garret went over after he was gone God he said he reckoned he didn’t need feeding he had turned him (in) to about 150 bbls of corn he says he wasted about four bbls he says he wants him to come again to buy his cattle he says he thought the first time he would steal now he knows it

Elic Cox says he is going to Cincinnati to buy a mill this spring he wants to get a flowering mill he wants the kind that was at the state fair. I wish you would try to learn about them if you can and write to me as soon as you get this and I will tell him I am very anxious for him to get it. That one in Indianapolis had two run of stones and a wire bolt and they said it would grind 100 bbl of flour a day. what will it cost.

I was at Vincennes last week Garret & Lewis went with me I entered 18 Acres of land at 12½ cts per Acre. Garret entered 40 Acres joining his Marten farm. Lewis was entered. it is now about oat sowing time we are making rails Old W is sawing timber Garner & I are making Billy & Poke are feeding at home Jakie & Rufus is feeding the stock cattle.

CABINET: 5

Dail Bowden cut his knee verry bad about 3 weeks ago & has never been away from home since till today he rode (to) meeting he thinks he will be able to work in another week we were getting out timbers for a stable when he cut it you heard about (the) death of Mrs. Farmer how are you doing I will let Jack finish it

B. WILLIAMS

(Editorial note: The next letter

(from Uncle Jack is a continuation

(of the above. Jake Wright is

(Elder Jacob Wright, a famous

(Hoosier “Campbellitete.” Becca is

(Aunt Rebecca, Uncle Bart's 1st

(wife. Lewis, Garrett's oldest

(son. Jakie & Rufus, Uncle Dick’s

(boys-- Jakie is Jacob Giles.

(Billy & Poke must be Billy

(Withers and JKP, Pryor's boy.

+++

(4) DEAR BROTHER

March the 16th 57

Mr. E. WILLIAMS,

dear Brother:

I have been sadly afflicted in my thigh and Rheumatism. It is the same that I hurt some 15 years ago. It is in my hip at times, then it is my thigh, and then in my knee. It is a little better at this time, but lacks of being well.

We have been working at the Hurricane, and have been all of the time except about 6 weeks in that awful cold weather in the winter. We (are) very much behind owing to the cold weather Henry is down there now fencing, I am at home Our Folks are all well, the boys have a lot of work to do this spring and I (will) get them a hand today if I can. I would give 100 Dollars that I was well. but it may all come out right.

As for our horse, he is fine, and Alex will go to town to day and see Dunn and they will advertise him. He will stand as usual. His colts look fine, my furgeson colt is the best in the lot. I think I could get 200$ for it I will send you an advertisement when written Garret is as usual, (at) any hog fighting

As for an other matter in your letter of last winter, I can not say what would be best, unless I knew all about it. I have no chance to write on the subject, as the house is full. Do as you think best, but have your Eyes open, not get like a boy, (so that you can see nothing) This thing will concern you more than any one else -- Look Sharp! I left last winter soon after getting your letter. and did not get to answer it. Bart had just written and I thought that would do for the time. I think it will come up this summer.

CABINET: 6

Richard says, he and his wife will pay you a visit this spring --he is about strate now. J. Wright preached at Port Williams on Sunday come down when you have an opportunity to do so. But by all means stick to your Businys Clost, as that is the whole secret of getting a long -- Save, and Skin

Write me a letter down in Martin Direct your letter Dover Hill Martin Co. Isaac Kern is at Bart's and will take this to town today -- Your child was well on last Friday, when Isaac left. Jims Family is well. Old Mrs. Farmer is Dead!

I think our Horse will do a fine business this year. Dunn is very anxious that he should stand in Bedford this season, but we think differently -- we will get as much as he can do any How at Alex, as Alex (is) to keep him. Paper out -- be shure to write, yours

A. J. WILLIAMS

(Editorial note: Hurricane, the

(Williams farm down the river.

(Alex Cox was one of the partners

(in the stud horse operation.

(Henry is probably Henry Culbert-

(son, another partner. "Your child

(is Mary Belle, and Jim's family

(Uncle Dick's, whose full name

(was James Dixon. Isaac Kern, the

(son of Eli and Mahala.

+++

(5) DEAR AUNT

SALLIE Camp Harrow, Nov. 27th 1861

Dear Aunt Sailie:

We are finely located in Uncle Sams quarters and have plenty of good tough beef and hot Slop to eat and good quarters to Sleep on so you may suppose that we are doing very well. Daniel and I came to this camp three weeks ago we have been in camp every since and are very well satisfied with Camp life as for my part I could not be seen off. James Briant has neither joined the Church nor the Army Leut is putting in his time sparking I wish the poor fellow would get a wife:

I expect that we are in the best camp in the State Mearous Bus Spring and all the property belonging to them, this place cost the Government $l,000,0OO we will be consolidated tomorrow or next day

There are 850 men in this camp under Col. Landrum our Captains name is Evens the Col. and our Captain boath belong to the Christian Church they are boath good men as ever lived our regament will be thrown into Gen. Boyles brigad, this suites me very well as I am asquainted with the General and know him to be one of the best men in the State besides he ranks amongst the smartest men in the State

CABINET: 7

But however we have some great rowdies and rogues in the camp all that I am minus (is) a tincup but maybe I can steal another. I would like to come and see you but furlows are hard to come at and I must go home and spend Christmas so I can not come to see you until after that time and very uncertain then for it (is) very likely we will be in Dixey. (I hope so by the Lord)

For tis now the time of strif and war,

The contest round one, every side;

Nations are bound to Saturn's car

Of those who meet him in his pride

Is there no arm his power to break?

Are there no hearts that deeply feel?

Sons of the Nation, rise! awake!

Obey your country's call,

Go bear (her glorious) banner forth,

Its glittering web of light unfold,

And scatter light from pole to pole,

My patriotism leads me to all most insanity as you may perceive from the above lines. We are in the very center of a secession hole Harrods Boug is nearly all secession, but they are all very civil we go in town every day and drink all the whiskey we can find and run about like fools of Course

We have one man in our Camp that we call Col. Luel, and we call dress parade “desperation". We manage to run over Col. Luel and stomp him in the mud and I dare not say there is not a little cursing on th part of Col. Luel he came from the knobs his eye (are) right on top of his head with hair about a foot and a half long. So much for Col. Luel ---

Aunt please write to me soon so that I may get your letter before I go home.

(direct to E. Williams

Camp Harrow in care of Capt. Evans)

Col. Landrums Regament

Written by

E1dridge W.

(Editorial note: The next two

(letters tell how Eldridge and

(his patriotic zeal made out when

(he got to Dixie.

***

(6) DEAR ABRAM

Seminary Hospital Frederic

Nov 12th 1862

Dear Abram:

We reached here about nine o'clock last night after riding all day from New York. We Did not wait for your draft as we met a kind friend who lent us $90. We asked him to return your letter with draft to Cincinnati as without Kanie's signature it would be worthless.

CABINET: 8

I know that the news from Eldridge will grieve you very much. Kanie does not think that he can live through today at the utmost one or two days. His blood is absorbing the pus and as he can take no nourishment he is going down very fast. Poor boy! He is constantly talking of what he is going to do when he gets well. He is very cheerful and patient and tries to laugh when I remind him of how he and Jimmy used to get into the sugar can. He is very much reduced and looks very different from the Eldridge who came to see us before he went into the army.

Jack is quite well and keeps up wonderfully considering what a very great deal this is to him. They are very glad to see us. Kanie made Jack go to bed last night and he sat up. Today we moved Eldridge into a private room adjoining ours with a door opening between where he will be more comfortable. He and Jack have felt very lonely from not receiving more letters from Bedford. Jack has written six times without any success. They were very glad to hear of Christy's boy as were we.

I think that we will (be) home the last of this week without fail. We will telegraph you when we start, I will leave this open for any message your Uncle may have to send.

With love your affectionate

(7) DEAR ABRAM

Nov. 12 (1862)

Dear Abram:

It is now 12 o'clock we have dressed Eldridge this morning & fixed his bed after having given him strong doses of stimulata. He is a little more lively this morning & has not had such a cadaverous look as last evening. He passed a restless night -- coughed a good deal & expectorates pus. His chief sufferings now are oppression of breathing & cough which seem to be the result of empyemia. His pulse is 140, very feeble & fluttering & breathing rapid & laboring.

I thought last night that he would not live over today, but he haa rallied a little this morning under the active stimulation which I subjected him to, on my arrival. But I see no single symptom to hang any sanguine hope upon. 0! if the poor patient boy could only get well! But the Lord's will be done!

Sallie & I will stay here a few days till he either dies or gets better, I am very sorry that you have been kept back from Lectures so long, but it has been unavoidable. We will try to make up for it in the future. Leave our money matters till I get home, unless I instruct you,further. -- We can hear no word from Rufus & have no idea where he is unless dead or in some hospital at Philadelphia or Harrisburg, Pa. We will do all we can to find him I can hardly write as you can see. E. W.

Direct to Seminary Hospital as before

(Editorial note: Abram is the

(son of Pryor Williams; he is in

(Cincinnati, reading medicine

(with Uncle Kanie. Hence the

(careful discription of symptoms

(in Elkanah’s letter.

CABINET: 9

+++

(8) MY DEAREST WIFE

Trinity Springs

Friday Dec 24, 1875

My dearest Wife:

The agony is over. Brother Jack died last night at 9 1/2 o'clock. He suffered a great deal till nearly the end, except when I sat by him and soothed him with chloroform. I could not bear to leave him much as I longed to be at home with you. In the morning I thought he would die before noon & I could ride to Shoals and get off on 2 P.M. train.

Then I decided to go after night & reach the 2 o’clock train before day. Just after dark it commenced a drenching rain which continued till the morning. There is scarcely any bottom to the roads and I dared (not) to go, as I could not avoid getting drenched & drowned in mud. I intended to get home this morning & spend the day and return by this evening train to the Funeral.

As it is I will stay over. We will go to Bart’s (some 6 miles) this P.M. and from there to Old Union near Fayetteville, where he will be buried tomorrow at 12 o’clock. I wish so much you could be there but you could not get there in the awful state of the roads.

I will go from there direct to Mitchell and take the first train for Cincinnati. I think the train goes east Saturday night as usual at 3 o’clock or near that, for Cincinnati. If so I will get in Sunday between 8 and 9 o’clock.

I hope you will have your Christmas tree tomorrow all the same, as you have made all the arrangements and the children will expect it. I will be here to weep with those who weep & you can rejoice with them who rejoice. The cup of life is a strange mixture of joys and sorrows, but in the wisdom of God it is so combined for our good. So let us ever believe and be not cast down by the one and intoxicated by the other

I was very sorry you were not with me to contribute in your tender and thoughtful way to the comfort of one of the noblest and best men that ever lived. As it was he lacked nothing that any could do. I ever saw such universal love and devotion. It seemed that poor Hensons heart would break. It is all over but the "dust to dust" which is easy.

Give my dearest love to Mary and Henry. Kiss the dear little boy on Christmas for his grandfather, and remember that I always love you above all others in this world -- not others less but you more. Hoping we may soon meet in health and have yet a respite of happiness before either shall be called away, I am ever your loving husband.

E. WILLIAMS

(Editorial note: So the great

(General's little namesake, born

(on the French Broad Farm at the

(close of the Creek War, joined

(Capt. Isaac and General Andy in

(the Great Bivouac. And Uncle

(Kanie was there to ease his

(journey.

CABINET: 10

+++

(9) MY DEAR OLD FRIEND

Cincinnati, Ohio

Feby 11, 1883

My Dear Doctor Denson:

On this sleepy and dreary day, in the woods where dreariness shows off to its best advantage, up above and in full view of the Ohio river which is out on the biggest swell it has indulged in this century, you will not be surprised if I should walk back about 30 years in memory and make a call on you.

I have a distinct boyhood recollection of you and always in association with the dear ones that were sick. My personal confidence in you as my ideal representative of the grand healing art was so great and so sincere that when you reached the old home I felt that death could not come. Many a night have I layed myself down in that beautiful assurance, and slept soundly, after many anxious and wakeful nights because you were in the house and had agreed to remain all night.

How well do I remember the time when our family consisted of an even dozen (including my father and mother) all practically grown, and when the thought of burying a single one of them brought tears to my heart, and I felt I could not endure the reality. Well, forty and more years have run away and how stands the circle now? Garrett now 76 or over and myself are left and to all earthly appearances I shall be left to bury him. Bart and I who were chums and always together as boys fighting with and for one another on occasion have of late years when together talked over old times and wondered which would live to bury the other. That question then in the misty future was settled a few months ago when that cross fell on me, as the crown was placed on him.

I no longer brood over these visitations and feel that I cannot bear them. I have borne them with the grace which was sufficient for the day as each departure came. The family is nearly all over the river now and I am waiting for the boatman and ready to say, "Take, 0 Boatman, thrice thy fee.”

I do not write this, my dear old friend, in a melancholy spirit, and I hope it will not make you sad. It is simply the expectant call of an old and loving friend to another. So many of the ties that bind me to this life are broken, as the attractions in heaven increase, that I am looking forward and upward now instead of back to the old graves of the past.

But if I ever come to Bedford again and hear that you are alive, I shall come and shake your hand and look you in the eyes and say in my heart, if the words falter,

"Be of Good Cheer, God Bless you!"

E. WILLIAMS