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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1859-1866, 1867 & 1871-1874 37 items Correspondence of Amanda C. Armantrout Brand    

July 20th 1874

My Dear Sister & Bro

I have been so busy & so lazy since I came home I have put off writing til I feel most as mean as people can feel when they fail to discharge a duty or fulfill a promise so I know its better late than never[.] therefore I will scrible [sic] away awhile if I can collect material which you are aware is never scarce with Lizzie[.]

I am very well this Eve & the little ones are all in the yard playing well & loud, & calling for Ma to make one & then annother [sic] do so & so & I am writing away as though I could not hear; I was so sorry to hear of Uncle Popsie’s death[.] hope Aunt will not take it as hard as she did her little boys death[.] hope she will come to see us all soon. Cousin Martha Cunningham & daughter is visiting us from Ga now[.] Cous Georgia [?] White, sister[,] she lost her husband while Cousin Hannah & Mattin was there several year ago[.] he was as good preacher[,] Jimmie says[,] a presbyterian & preached here years ago[.] she will come & stay a week or 2 with me perhaps as she is great favorite of Pames & Nancys[.] Pames & Ida called to see her yesterday from church[.] she is stopping at Cous G[.] Whites; I see Mr Strickler had had a call too[.] will he go you think[?], Mr. Pratt has accepted the call to that College & has not been here since May, will be here this week I hear to prepare to leave I suppose[.] I stopped to see Mrs O Connor[,] Mr. O Learys daughter that lives at the parsonage[,] & she was very glad to see me[;] inquired for my sister that wore ringlets when she was there & I told her you was married & had 4 children (oh my my not 4 children, has she, she has 3 [?] & single [?] one dead & pretty children too[.] John & Mary, verry [sic] bright[,] hearty Prish (looking ever on is the boy is verry [sic] attractive indeed[.] I like her verry [sic]much, she told me she heard Mr. Pratt got a salary of $4 thousand 5 hundred, money makes the preacher go and I think there is too much of that kind of speculation going on, to save souls is the last thought or care I think, for they never think - of severing the relation as pastor & peoples to be of any consequence atall [sic]-, oh Parish there was less inquiry about money, & more about souls. hope Mr Strickler will not go[,] for you all love him & I think he has done much good in that Church[.] We know not who we will get[.] will have a call presbytery the last of the month dismissing Mr Pratt & then we will call some body, but I fear 3 [?] thousand 5 [?] hundred cant be heard by any very able minister but woe unto them if they cannot live on that, what can they spend ____ amount cannot do if they improve that _____, for long ago 6 & 8.00 dollars was considered a good reward for the laborer[.] now __ 3 or 4 thousand is not enough, I have some 70 young chickens doing right well now[.] eggs is selling for 90 cts per doz[,] butter 20 cts per pound[.] I do not sell the butter but eggs[.] I have been selling since I came home,. how is Mr Long, & give me all the news when you write, tell Annie not too [sic] marry till I come down & I will bring her a dress if she is with you then which will be some time next year I hope

Your sister Lizzie

[written in the margin] Has George been down yet[?] I told him to write soon as he got home but I have not heard a word from any of them[.] Cous Andy asked if I had heard from him[.] he wants to hear too, he must write[.] tell him[.] Hope Frera will get ref soon[.] I want to see her[.] Uncle Garland ______ brought Annie 2 pretty little dresses to her last week[,] a pink calico trimmed with solid pink and pretty lawn trimmed with green[,] both nice indeed[.] how is my girl[?] is she cared for or does that boy take all attention[?] Kiss Benie & all for me & be good to her[.]