Contributed by Linda
Manlove
[email protected]
This letter starts out written
by Mark Manlove (wife Jane Hodgson) It was his three sons who traveled
to California.
State of Hioe, Highland County,
November 10th, 1827
Dear and respected Brothers
and sister with gratitude to Him that rules over us all; I pronounce the
enjoyments of perfect health and a tranquil mind. Hoping these few lines
may reach you all enjoying the same blessing. My family is all enjoying
good health and consist of a wife and sic children: namely, George, Rachel,
William, Ann, Jonathan and Mark. My dear father that has been part of my
family for more than four years is no more. After being afflicted more
than 10 months with pains, he departed this life the 5th of this instant,
mostly in his perfect senses. We recieved a letter from Cyntha Manlove
two days before the death of my dear father which was a satisfaction. She
said that Uncle George had been sick, but had recovered which I am glad
to hear. My dear father recieved a letter aboput three weeks before his
death from Uncle William Manlove which was dated sixth month, first day
of which will send you some of the particulars.-------------
I inform that at this time
myself and family are in health, altho' I am much afflicted with thumatic
pains mostly in my shoulders, wrists and ankles till I have, sometimes,
been unable to put on or off my wearing clothes. I am somewhat relieved
since warm weather set in but feel to be going the downward road as to
constitution altho' I am heavier than I formerly was, and except pains
in my joints, enjoying health generally. My son William is living with
his brother-in-law, James BEARD (hus. of Mary MANLOVE) learning the
hatting buisness and my other sons Jonathan and David Rittinghouse, George
and John and my two daughters Ann and Rachel.
Jonathan is like to be a
stout man. David, I believe more like our old father than any of the family
that I have seen. George often talks of his old Uncle George and still
says that if he lives to be a man and his old uncle is living he will go
and see him. He is a very healthy boy and is blessed with a fine talent.
Brother Jonathan and sons
David and Moses is all removed to the state Illinois, so is Manlove HORNEY.
Phillip HORNEY is living in Randolph near his father-in-law and is as fat
as ever his mother was. (Referring to his half-sister Sarah Manlove HORNEY)
I learn that brother Jonathan and all his children and wives are well pleased
with their country. Jonathan's son, William T. Manlove is now at my house,
having returned to North Carolina about ten days past.
It has long been my intention
to visit the Western States and has often been disappointed in my intention;
but William has set his cousins all on fire and his old aunt not
far behind them (Mary SMITH Manlove) for a new country. Till very lately,
I had no other inducement to come to the west than only to see my near
relatives, but I now expect if I like the country on seeing it, to sell
and move. I expect to be at Mark Manlove's in about 11 months on our way
to Illinois so that if it is the will of heavan to spare us till then and
no unforeseen accident happens we may meet again, for which I do most devoutly
pray. It would much rejoice me to take Thee by the hand, dear brother,
but whether we ever meet in this world or no, it is my sincere desire
that we may be enabled to keep the watch, that we may not be alarmed with
a midnight cry but have our lamps trimmed and our lights burning, having
iol in our vessels. If so, the change will be good, come of it what may.
I believe all of our relations
are in health and living except Manlove WHEELER Sr. who deceased last fall.
Sally Manlove, daughter of Nancy (COOPER) Manlove is married to Isaac HIATT,
son of Enos HIATT. He is an industrious young man. My intentions now is
as soon as I can plant my next years crop, to set out with a view to spend
one summer visiting our relatives and reviewing the country. I intend to
come first to Mark's and to go through the Ohio, Indiana and to brother
Jonathan's in the Illinois and so conclude with love to Thee and Mark and
as William says, truly amiable and valuable wife, Dear relations farewell.---------William
Manlove
P.S. John HOWELLS and family
are well (hus. of Sarah MANLOVE) and so is James BEARD and family and my
two grandsons all I have left of my daughter Elizabeth (RAPER); she and
five of her children lying in the old orchard (NOTE: Apparantly Elizabeth
and five of her children were poisened by a slave)
William P. Manlove wrote
on the same letter (son of Jonathan) who says a Mister SMITH, Attorney
at law who resides at Mt. Vernon 12 miles from the Crab Orchard and who
says that he went to school to you, who told us a few days ago that you
had a track of land in that country which was valuable if it was attended
too. William P. Manlove thus ends the letter wrote to my father-----
So I conclude by subscribing
myself your most affectionate brother, Mark Manlove.
John Manlove
and families
George Manlove
Prudence Street
Copyright 1999-2006
Linda Manlove
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