{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Trebuchet MS;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1503;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\b\f0\fs28 Cover:\par For Sarah Pickrell\par Shelby County Ky\par William Pickrell\par Favours by Mr. John Alastin\par \par Contents:\par \par Montgomery county State of Kentucky\par \strike December\strike0 Jan 5\super th\nosupersub Annodomini 1821\par \par \pard\fi720\li2880\ri3600 Dear child\par \pard\ri2520\qj\tx6120 Through the kind \line hand of omnipotence I embrace \line the opportunity of communicating \line some of my scattering ideas to you \line by way of letter. I have nothing \line particular to write. I returned home \line from your house well and have remained \line in tolerable health until now. I have a violent attack ofs cold which commenced last Tuesday which has abated and now \line I am on my feet again. William has \line married and left me. Peggy has a son \line and calls his name Joseph Desmint. Lucy Wilson has a son and calls him Oliver B. after your unfortunate brother. Mr. Trame and family are all well. His eldest daughter is married and his wife has two in loo. Brother Stokes\rquote family are well. So far \line as I recollect or know all the friends \line and neighbors are well and doing \line well. The tide of religion is low. \line Your humble servant John B. Badger \line will leave this neighborhood tomorrow morning for New Orleans. He is well and wishes you and the children well. I do not know when I shall see, if I should keep my health I hope it will not be long.\par \pard\ri2520\qj I shall even think you worthy of the title \line of my child and give my best love \line to my dear little grandchildren the \line Lord be with them. Give it to them as \line my prayer that they should shun vice \line and immortality. As the sprout is bent \line the tree is inclined, so it is with the youthful mind. Solomon says raise up a child \line in the way he should go and when he is old \line he will not depart from it. My dear girl \line my few observations you will not take \line as sensuring you for your know I believe \line you are performing the duties of a mother. Polly and Jincy desire that their best \line love should be related on this page \line to you all. Alexander Farrow has \line returned from Frankfort in high spirits. Katherine Davis was married yesterday. \par \pard\ri3600\par \tab\tab\tab\tab Polly Nelson\par \par \pard\ri2520\qj NB Jan 24. It is been 19 days since \line this letter was rote, not having an opportunity to send it. I think it right to let \line you know that we are in the same state \line of health yet. Remember me to all who \line think me worth their enquiry.\tab M.\par \pard\par \par \par \par }