Letter from Edwin S, Buck to his sister, Jane

Chappel Hill Feb. 4^th 1850

Dear Sister Jane, I have no good excuse to offer to you for my long negligence in writing to you more than for the last year I have been very much pressed with business indeed I have had not time for writing to any of my friends or relatives. I can only promise that in future to make amends for my past negligence I will be more communicative and I am sure you will hear from me more frequently than you have in times past. It is so long since you have seen me that I know you are anxious to know something about what I have been doing. Well dear sister I will tell you. To commence with I suppose I look very much as I did when you saw me last more than six years ago. Only that six years has made me look a little older. And the care of six years buffeting with the world may have changed my countenance from the wild boy which I used to be the thoughtful expression of a man.

When I returned to Texas it was my intention to go back again to California, but mother and sisters Mary & Emeline being here they convinced me to remain in this country. I liked the climate &c. here very much and concluded to settle here, I am merchandising in this village, Sister Mary lives 12 miles from here, on a plantation, & Emeline whom you knew had married again lives here and mother lives with her. I am boarding with her. I am building a house near here and shall live in it as soon as it is finished. I was married on the 20^th of December last, to one of the best, and most amiable girls I ever saw and I only wish you could see how happy we are together, we are boarding with sister Emeline, but shall

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commence house keeping for ourselves in April next. Mother will divide her time between sisters house and Ours, and will make the decline of her life pass as pleasantly, and comfortably as possible I see sister Mary every few days. she is quite well. Except her eyes which have been very sore nearly all the past summer, her husband and two of the children have also had very sore Eyes Williams Eyes I do not think will ever get entirely well again Their Children are all well, her oldest daughter is almost grown, and, their Oldest son (William) is quite a large boy. They have a good school near them and they have every advantage that they could have in your country, to get good educations We have good schools, churches and excellent society here and there is not so much difference between this country and yours as you might so much imagine. It is warm pleasent weather here now and I suppose in your country there is deep snow on the ground. Our farmers are planting corn, and every body is making garden, which I realy think is pleasenter than to be freezing in a cold country, but then you have one pleasure which we have not, you can enjoy your selves sleigh riding. I was in New York City last summer but was on very urgent business, buying goods, and was delayed in New York so long that I could not get to Michigan. My Partner, Mr [Sedge??] is going next summer, but I promise you the very next time I go to come and see you. All join in sending our love to you and James, and all of your friends and Our acquaitences in [Pontiac??]. My wife Mary is leaning on my shoulder and sais my love to Sister Jane. write again soon

Your Affectionate Brother Edwin S Buck