folder 30: January–May 1854

Chapel Hill Jany 2d 1854-

My dear Husband

Now do not think, that I would not have written this letter that I am about to write, if I had not receeived the note by Mr. Wheat for I intended to do this very thing, this very night - note or no note- I know that you must feel some anxiety about the putting out of the negroes if for nothing else -- so, I'll tell you, straightway what disposition I have made of them- Mr. Wolff called on Saturday morning, agreed to take Maria, at $25- (I sent her down according to your direction on Thursday) - I neither praised nor dispraised her - he therefore took her, as you - did me, for better, for worse - soon after he called Mr. Collier came & wanted Chancy - & I agreed to let him take her & Isabella (her youngest child) - I told him that I forgot whether your price was $30 or 35 - he said he would & did give his note for 30 - but that he would give $35, if that was your price - I mentioned to him, that we wished to get Hale off - he recommended me to let Mr. Wright (Mr. Tenney's brother in law) have him as he thought he would be glad to get him & it would be a good home for the child - accordingly Mr. W- came that afternoon & agreed to take Hale for his victuals & clothes- I believe that we ought to have demanded something more but I was glad to get him off upon those terms- So you see old man, that they are all disposed even without an advertisement. The Morgan negroes were hired publicly on that day - & I heard that they went enormously high - children & all. They all (our folks) seem right well pleased with their homes but Hal - he didn't wish to go at all- I had him dressed out quite genteely & I assure you, he looked right smart.--- Laura talks a little of taking Rufus, but I do not much think, that she will -- I went over to Mr. Phillips's to night - I have not seen Mother or any of the family before since you left. Mother has been complaining a good deal of Rheumatism

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Chancy arrived safely to my great relief - & is gone to her new home - I heard last night that Sam Phillips wanted her but heard that I had already disposed of her so he did not apply-

- but is better to-day - the rest are all well - I have seen no one scarcely - Miss Sally & Lizzie Hall spent Saturday with us Cos Mary was somewhat better - thought she could hear better - - Gaston is here to-night says all well over his way.- The young people are talking of the arrival of the Indians - & two more parties that are to come off this week- one at Miss Nancy's - the other at Mr. Waitts - another subscription party, that - - did you ever hear the like? - Well: Toney has been as busy apparently to-day as you ever saw any one, but has not succeeded in hauling a single load of wood - In the first place, he came in early to say that he must have a pr. of breast chains - & something about the hames or traces I forget what - well I gave him an order to get them - then he tried his plough tines - found they would n't do at all for the new horse has become very skittish - told me, he ought to have strong leather reins - well I sent him off to Sugg's to get them - but Mr. S- cannot have them ready it may be till day after to-morrow - I confess that I fear we shall get out of wood before that time - but he says, I shall not - He thinks the wagon is too heavy for two horses - - withal, I have been quite discouraged to-day on account of the wood ["prossinority"?] - - - I received the money by Mr. W- his horse ran away & broke the sulky to pieces - did not hurt him - he however left his trunk that contained my Almanacs on the road - as he rode Satan homeHe sent me word that I should have them to-morrow - I am much obliged to you for the C Almanac - I intended to have begged you to send one - I received the lamps also, by Sam - for which I thank you - tho' one leaks so, that I shall return it by the very first opportunity - I like them very much -- We had a long hard look for the key - but I had an idea all the time, that it was in your pocket -- I sent & borrowed corn enough from the Gov: to last till Sam returned - - speaking of corn - I am reminded that Mr. Collier told me that he did not believe that corn would bring more than $3- after a little - Mr. Davis brought two loads of hay, the day you left for which I paid him - he told me to say to you that he can spare you corn at $4 - I believe that I would not agree to take it now it certainly will not be higher & we may get it lower - - I am glad to hear that Kemp passed - but I don't believe that he is satisfied with his examination tho' his letter was very humorous - I am sorry that they did not hear the BishopWe had no service - neither in the day or night - I read sermons papers xc but the day was a long one - & I was glad when bed time came - - that time has long since arrived to-night so I will let off this little piece till the morning -

The Sun has risen beautifully - the children are joyful in anticipation of the Indian performances - Toney got a rope I hear & is gone for his first load of wood -- I cannot hear how the new horse performed - he had been idle so long - he has been too [illegible] of late -- Mother & Laura desired their love to be given you - Mary sends hers - give mine to the Dr. & Priscilla - tell Jimmy not to forget me - & little Willie too& believe dear old man that I love you very, very dearly - & that I miss you, so much am as lonely almost as when you attended your 1st circuit -

May God forever bless youLMB

Raleigh Jan'y 3rd 1854

My Dear Wife/

I am not yet prepared to write your full letter, but there are some matters about which I wish to advise with you and I avail myself of this mode of doing it - I suppose Chancy got home in the stage last evening or rather yesterday afternoonI did not fully understand why she did not come on with Cate a day sooner- I had to furnish her money to pay in part her stage fare & I think she said Richard had paid her fare on the Rail road- She has thus cost us first & last more than she has been worth in money since she has been at Chapel Hill- I mention this, that you may get as much hire for her as you can the present year- According to the rates given for the hire of negroes here yesterday, we ought to get $100 for her and Maria, but as they are lower at Chapel Hill we must be content to take less- Maria ought to hire for at least $30, and Chancy with her youngest child $35Hal would have brought here $10- Cant you get him there $5 for him - You must put Richard's services in requisition to arrange these matters-

Kemp & Sue got off in the cars yesterday morning and I hope they are now safe at Rocky Mount- Delly went with them on his way to Everettsville, intending however to stop awhile at Enfield to visit some of his schoolmates in that neighborhood- Sue seems to have been in very fine spirits ever since she left home - Kemp was a little mortified at missing one or two questions put

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The court met this afternoon and appointed Hamilton C. Jones Reporter- I voted for PhillipsJudge Pearson for Jones - The Chief Justice for Winston first and then for Jones - I will explain his reasons for so doing to Mr. Phillips himself-

to him by Judge Pearson on obsolete law - He was somewhat relieved afterwards when all the other members of the class shared the same fate, notwithstanding which the class was complimented by Judges Nash & Pearson as the best which had ever been before them-

I recd a letter from Dopey Saturday evening- His wife has improved very much- the rest all well- He himself complains still of his hand - says he succeeded beyond his calculations in his business last year- He can pay me the money which I paid for him in the Spring- the Myrick debt is secured at last, and they will send him a check soon for $690, of which I wrote him to send me $400- Bunn promises to pay a part, if not all his debt, this winter- Billy is very well & willing to go on the road again; the company readily agreed to pay $130 for his hire- Billy however wishes to be a fireman, & if so they will give $20 per month which will be $240- Dopey said he would do the best he could-

I hope that J.T. Wheat reached home safe yesterday, and gave you the $100 I sent by him, as I think it probable the pork will be sent to-day- I will endeavor to send you more money by Gov. Swain, with which to pay all the smaller amounts against us-

I omitted to mention in connexion with Dopey's letter that he wished us to take his son as a boarder next session & I have agreed to do soHe will send him when Richard comes up- this week or next-

Judge Strange is detained at home by a dangerous attack of sicknessSome think he cannot recover at all - others that he may but not very soon- Dr. McSwain is slowly imporoving, but it is thought that he will soon go off with consumption-

In calling at the Bank to day to see Mr. Mordecai I met with & was introduced to the Bishop- I am invited with him & other clergy at Mr. [Sneaeds's?] next Thursday- I send two dollars to help you on with change- Your's as ever Will: H. Battle

[Jan. 5, 1854]

Judge Battle

My Dear Sir.

I find from consulting my bosom this afternoon, that I was tolerably sincere in saying that I did not expect to be elected reporter. The consolation which you offer, I have no doubt would be a specific, where it needed; but I am so little in want of it, that I must take its virtues upon trust. I did not require the assurance which my late position has given me of very good wishes from yourself and Govr. Swain; if I had, the expression of those wishes contained in your letter would amply repay me for any anxiety or mortification possible.

I have never yet brought myself to pursue very eagerly any office not conferred by the people. It may be the shadow of a distinction which I present to myself, but I take a distinction