Fam Hist: Samuel Russell Letter, 1830, Claiborne Parish, LA Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Dorothy Taylor, dtaylor @ bayou.com Dec 2000 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Letter From Samuel Russell February 14, 1830 Nettie Mae Brewer, of Independence. Virginia provides this copy of a letter from Samuel Russell to Lewis and Agnes Brewer, written from Russellville, February 14, 1830. Miss Brewer is a great niece of Samuel Russell, a brother of her great grandfathers Lewis Brewer, Sr. Russvill Parish of Clairborn, La. Fby 7th Most affectionate Brothers and Sisters: I received yours of the 18th November 1829 I received on the 30th day of December in the same date which was within six weeks from the Date there of. it gives me great pleasure to hear from you and to hear that you were all well and doing fine more over it was pleasant to me to know that you had received one letter from me out of ten. You write to me to inform you of the increase of my family. We are of an increasing breed my wife has had eleven children,6 boys and five girls. David, my oldest son married Betsy Brazel, a fine girl. she brought him three children. but to her displeasure of the first day of November last(1829) she departed this life. Tho he is better prepared to take care of his Little ones, then many a man who has been left with the same mother, he has got fine Negro women to take care of them and a good old mother-in- law to see to it. My oldest daughter Tabitha is married to one, Isaac Thornton she has three sons. David living about 25 miles from me, Tabitha is three miles from me, they both are doing well. William the third child was born a cripple by a skire (scare) has become insane. Rachel and Nancy and Samuel and Philip, Luvincy and Betsy yet, Levis is no more. I have had a great Reason to be thankful to my Creator for the blessings that he has bestowed on me and my family. I can insure you that if ever a man enjoyed pleasure in the family I have in mine for in their prudence they are ranked in the first class of people in our country and ought is not against the first one of them, You wrote to me to let you know how I come on in this world, as it is your wish to know, I give you a small accounts. First my standing with the people in this County.. I moved here in 1822 when there was 18 family in the bounds of this county. I was put into office and as the settlements increased and got stronger I laid the foundation for a new parish and being in favor with the Judge and Lawyers at a general review in the town of Natchitoches I was introduced to Governor Johnson and after sometime explained the situation of our settlement to him, he said that if I draw a draft and send it to the Legislator that he would do his best to give us a now parish, I done so and he was as good as his word, I had the management of the whole and when the town was Laid for the seat of justice, I was appointed to do so. The people were so pleased It was their choice that the name of the town should be Russellville in Remberance of Me. My situation of life is such I have plenty to live on, I have 75 head of meat cattle and a good farm on which I make one hundred clear money a year besides what supports my family. I have one likely Negro man, and four horses and I don't owe one dollar in the state,, I cribbed one thousand bushels of corn this last season and made 2,830 pounds of seed cotton besides, oats, potatoes a plenty, corn is worth 50 cents per bushel, cotton 9 dollars per hundred when ginned. I send to New Orleans once a year for sugar and coffee and other things such as I need. I trade in horses, teams sometimes. I have ten other teams, but one in fact, the property that I hold would command two thousand dollars, if I was to say so. David belongs to the Baptist Church, as for my part, I am in no society but a true believer in God and pin my faith in him, and not in man, and as your thinking we can meet in the world to com, if you will look where the Sadducees questioned our Savior, saying there was one women, who had seven brothers to her husband, whose wife would she be in her last days. He said "There was neither marriage nor given in marriage there., for if the husband and wife is not known to each other, it is certain that brothers won't. It may turn out that we may see each other in this life yet - it would be pleasing sight to me to see you or any of my relations or acquaintances. Don't forget to write to me and let me know how you are and all the rest of my people are that is in your knowledge. Remember me to Phillip, Russell, and Rebecca, and to all of your children and also to all inquiring friends. So I shall conclude by absorbing myself your Most Affectionate Brother until death, place your Faith in God and not in men and I hope there will be no danger. Samuel Russell To Lewis Brewer and Agniss, his wife Letter Addressed as follows: Alenfsetelment Feb. 14, 1830 Lewis Brewer, Elk Creek State of Virginia, Post Office In Grayson County # # #