Misc: Letter from Susannah Evans Turpin to her sister Ann Eliza Evans Pipes, May 1851, Morehouse Parish, La Submitted by: Larrie Spier Curry lscurry@kih.net ************************************************* Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http:/www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Transcription of letter from Susannah Evans Turpin to her sister Ann Eliza Evans Pipes. Susannah has recently moved from Claiborne Co., MS to Morehouse Parish, LA. Ann Eliza remains in Claiborne Co. In early 1848, Ann Eliza had gone to Claiborne, from the family home in Wilcox Co., AL, to stay with Susannah and her husband Baynard Turpin. There she met Isaac N. Pipes and married him in early 1849, soon after the Evans family moved from Wilcox Co. to Morehouse Parish, LA. Apparently Susannah and her family have only recently joined them there. Note: Line breaks have not been preserved; page breaks are noted. Most misspellings have not be noted with (sic), because they are so commonplace. Some punctuation is added for clarity. Larrie Curry Family names: EVANS, PIPES, TURPIN, BAGNELL, ABY (?), WILSON, THOMAS, COLEMAN, MATTHEWS, CROOKSON, BEANE, DEBARDELEBEN Saturday night May 3rd 1851 My Dear Sister This is the third time I have writen to you Since I have been in Louisianna (sic) without receiveing one word from you Yes you may Say it is the fourth time for I had a letter writen to last week and carried it down to Pa's to send to you but when I got there Mother had received a letter from you and I concluded not to send it but answer yours to her, We have all enjoyed very good health Since we have been here and Pa's family are all well I am very Sorry to hear of your indisposition but I hope by the time you receive this you will be in better health mother requests me to Say to you that if she can get off any way in the world (and I think she can) She will come over to see you in the (?) as soon as She can get through the swamp I have promised her to keep house for her while she is gone, and she says you must be ready to come back with her not to make any excuse but be ready My Dear Sister I think if you would get Mr. Pipes to consult Dr Aby or Wilson and explain to them your case exactly I know they can give you something that will releive you if I was sick I would not think of depending on Dr. Thomas in (page 2) your case because I know he knows nothing about it. Mrs. Bagnall [Ann Eliza's mother-in-law] Depended on Coleman it (sic) that case of Elens and he did not know what was the matter with her If you will take my advise you will quit Thomas and try Drs Aby or Wilson if you are not able get Mrs. Bagnall to go and see one or the of them (sic) and explain your case to them and I am sure they can do something for you, I am glad to hear Orline [Orline Augusta Pipes, b. 1 Sept 1850] is growing finely it appears to me I would give a greatdeal to see her - She feels almost like my own child. Frank [Susannah's son, Frank W. Turpin, b. Aug 1850] is not so much before her as you seem to think he has but four teeth but can sit alone and stand up by a chair if you put him up to it, Martha and Evans [Susannah's children, Martha Turpin b.before 1849 and and Solomon Evans Turpin, b July 1846] both enjoy very fine health so far - Martha is as fat as she can be her face is broader that it is long (sic) and as rosy as it can be. She frequently speakes of you and Orline and wants to see you very much I was wishing to day only well and here to go a fishing with me we have a nice stream within a half mile of us the gallion I was down in sight of the Bridge today where we cross in going to lake Providence I expect you recollect it. I believe it is given up that Mother and I have the best garden about here except (page 3) Dr. Mathews in Bastrop I have had Peas for the last two weeks and Irish Potatoes and other early vegetables. This is a great country for chickens I have 170 and I believe Mother has about the same She had 15 turkeys last week and was to have some more to come off this week, Tell Mrs. Bagnall I know if she was here she could raise a great many chickens She is such a great hand with Poultry. We have had a very cold late spring. Mr. Turpins [Baynard Turpin, her husband] cotton looks badly and is dieing out very much but his corn is fine he finished hilling last week and has commence scrapeing his cotton I am all alone he had gone out fine (?) hunting there are a great many Deer around us. Tell Mr. Pipes he has writen to him twice or three times to my certain knowledge but never has receive but one letter from him and that was writen in New Orleans. Mother is very anxious that you should come on here and seems determine to go after you. We are all very anxious to see you. There is not a day passes over my head but I think of you and would give any thing to see you, Brother has gone to Ala after Miss Letty (Lotty?) we begin to look for him tomorrow the Boat will be up then Sunday The fine hunters brought in a fine Deer last night the quarters are as large as (page 4) a good size yearling. Mr. Turpin says his corn is knee high an he is the only one in the Parish who has scraped any cotton yet, I intended to send this letter to Bastrop this morning to go down on the Boat but it is raining and I am afraid I will Miss the opportunity of Sending it by the Boat and I do not know when you will get it for it appears that we cannot get a letter any other way, Tell Cousin Ann I congratulate her and Mr. Beane. Cousin Will is very much pleased at it, Aunt Eliza has been in very bad health ever since she has been here but I think her health is inproveing some at this time. Clementine Crookston that was she married Debardeleben (?) lost her baby last week Borne dead. I believe I have writen you all the news give my love to all friends to Mrs. Bagnall [Mary Hynum Pipes Bagnell] in particular and tell her she must write to me and she must try and come out here this fall to see us I should be extreamly glad to see her. Evans frequently speaks of Sammy [Sam Bagnell, Jr., half-brother of Isaac Newton Pipes] and wants to see him - Mother Pa and the children sends their love and says you may look for her - Mr. Turpin sends his love to you, Mr. Pipes and Orline and says kiss Orline for him it seems to me I could write ever on I want to see you so much kiss Orline a Dozen times for me give my love to Mr Pipes and accept the same from Your Affectionate Sister - Susanna Turpin