Contributed by LindaManlove
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This letter starts out writtenby Mark Manlove (wife Jane Hodgson) It was his three sons who traveledto California.
State of Hioe, Highland County,November 10th, 1827
Dear and respected Brothersand sister with gratitude to Him that rules over us all; I pronounce theenjoyments of perfect health and a tranquil mind. Hoping these few linesmay reach you all enjoying the same blessing. My family is all enjoyinggood 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 myfamily for more than four years is no more. After being afflicted morethan 10 months with pains, he departed this life the 5th of this instant,mostly in his perfect senses. We recieved a letter from Cyntha Manlovetwo days before the death of my dear father which was a satisfaction. Shesaid that Uncle George had been sick, but had recovered which I am gladto hear. My dear father recieved a letter aboput three weeks before hisdeath from Uncle William Manlove which was dated sixth month, first dayof which will send you some of the particulars.————-
I inform that at this timemyself and family are in health, altho’ I am much afflicted with thumaticpains mostly in my shoulders, wrists and ankles till I have, sometimes,been unable to put on or off my wearing clothes. I am somewhat relievedsince warm weather set in but feel to be going the downward road as toconstitution altho’ I am heavier than I formerly was, and except painsin my joints, enjoying health generally. My son William is living withhis brother-in-law, James BEARD (hus. of Mary MANLOVE) learning thehatting buisness and my other sons Jonathan and David Rittinghouse, Georgeand John and my two daughters Ann and Rachel.
Jonathan is like to be astout man. David, I believe more like our old father than any of the familythat I have seen. George often talks of his old Uncle George and stillsays that if he lives to be a man and his old uncle is living he will goand see him. He is a very healthy boy and is blessed with a fine talent.
Brother Jonathan and sonsDavid 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 fatas 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 pleasedwith 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 intentionto 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 notfar 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 nearrelatives, but I now expect if I like the country on seeing it, to selland move. I expect to be at Mark Manlove’s in about 11 months on our wayto Illinois so that if it is the will of heavan to spare us till then andno unforeseen accident happens we may meet again, for which I do most devoutlypray. 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 desirethat we may be enabled to keep the watch, that we may not be alarmed witha midnight cry but have our lamps trimmed and our lights burning, havingiol in our vessels. If so, the change will be good, come of it what may.
I believe all of our relationsare 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 isas soon as I can plant my next years crop, to set out with a view to spendone summer visiting our relatives and reviewing the country. I intend tocome first to Mark’s and to go through the Ohio, Indiana and to brotherJonathan’s in the Illinois and so conclude with love to Thee and Mark andas William says, truly amiable and valuable wife, Dear relations farewell.———WilliamManlove
P.S. John HOWELLS and familyare well (hus. of Sarah MANLOVE) and so is James BEARD and family and mytwo grandsons all I have left of my daughter Elizabeth (RAPER); she andfive of her children lying in the old orchard (NOTE: Apparantly Elizabethand five of her children were poisened by a slave)
William P. Manlove wroteon the same letter (son of Jonathan) who says a Mister SMITH, Attorneyat law who resides at Mt. Vernon 12 miles from the Crab Orchard and whosays that he went to school to you, who told us a few days ago that youhad a track of land in that country which was valuable if it was attendedtoo. William P. Manlove thus ends the letter wrote to my father—–
So I conclude by subscribingmyself your most affectionate brother, Mark Manlove.
John Manlove
and families
George Manlove
Prudence Street
Copyright 1999-2006Linda Manlove
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