Letter to Peter Gordon Voorhies (1835); Rapides, Louisiana
Submitter by: Nita Keider

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This letter was written by William Pemberton to Peter Gordon Voorhies, 
July 3, 1835.
William Pemberton was Peter Voorhies brother-in-law. Peter Gordon Voorhies 
married Mary Pemberton from around Frankfort, Kentucky. Peter Gordon and 
some of his sons came to Louisiana after 1820. His son, Daniel Voorhies 
founded the Voorhies family in Rapides Parish.

Dear Major and Sister,
 Expected to have seen you long before this time. Certain Circumstances 
unknown to me have prevented it, three County Courts back we have tried 
to get commissioners to divide the negroes that belong to our little 
Estate the first and in Rennick made out rang, and the commissioners wont 
not act and the next month the Circuit Court sit, and there was no County 
Court, and the next County Court Runnick was sick and nothing done. And 
the last Court (April) we got commissioners appointed, sworn, and the 
negroes valued but the court which is Monday week they took that time 
to consider thinking to prevent a law suit. Peggy wants Ned, Geni and 
Eliza thrown in and divided with the rest. She says there was no 
consideration paid for them and she could prove the same by Rennick.  
I went to --------- with the ------------ to know what he would say on 
the subject. He says he--------- the bill of sale for me. They were 
signed, duly proven by the witnesses and father he  ------------- not 
he says he had a conversation with Father as to what he had given his 
children. Father said he had given them all something but me, Charles, 
Susan, and Kitty and they must have something.  So that is the amount 
of it and how the Court will report I am not able at this time to say. 
Beckley thinks that the letter from Brother I, is not good evidence of 
his transfer to Sister Peggy.  And is afraid Jack’s heirs may come on 
him someday for their part, the best lawyers say it is good and I have 
sworn to his hand write and the letter is filed. I know we shall get 
no part of it, and I want everything settled that will bring the ---------  
to a speedy rest for really it looks like it never will be done with.  
Sometimes I think there can be no --- in the way atall and have thought 
so for months past and when we would go to make a settlement something 
would turn up which would prevent it, it could have been settled long 
since if it had not been for Beckley and Peggy. Thy are Estate contrary 
all round. Award for to Stephen Fenwick, he rented the mansion house 
and it has broke him all to pieces, he runs and hides from everybody 
he sees. He has your papers and told me he would act, but I can get 
to see none of the papers nor to get him to do anything in the business, 
if I could get the agency out of his hands, I would do it and put it in 
the hands of some person else, but that I can not afford without your 
consent and to write so far and get an answer it looks like an endless 
business. Mary says he is not honest and if he gets anything of yours 
in his hands you never will get it. As to that I know not. So you can 
see one trouble hardly begins before there is another and it appears 
like I have more than my share. I have been here now a year trying to 
settle this business and it is not done. As the Estate occurs no debts 
and it looks like there could be no deficiency what ever. Sam wants 
all and the rest want none. The negroes I think the commissioners put 
at $900 the land I suppose ought to bring $12,000 or $15,000 it appears 
like all parties here would like for me to be away as they know I wish 
to be in the County and then our blessings would  be at onward for I 
can see not other causes whatsoever and I often in -------- my -----------
in the country as it is getting late in the season and they think I will 
start before the business is settled and then we may write and whistle 
for what may be coming to us, if it is settled next Court. I shall start 
as soon as possible for R (ed) River if not I shall remain here until it 
is settled if it is another year looks to be a long time to me as I am 
doing no business with the separation of being here every week for I am 
unhappy when I am doing nothing. If there is nothing done next court I 
will write you. I should not of written you at this time, but not writing 
so long, I thought you might be anxious to hear from me. As the land 
there can be not doubt but what share will be --- Court as the said 
land to be recorded against Jack’s heirs.  I should like to hear from 
you all very much as the time seems to me very long.  I have no news 
to write you that would be interesting produce of every description 
is very high hemp is $10 per hundred and of course bagging is high. 
---- as you will ---- by the date above as you will and intended by 
to put it in the Post Office, but on reflection I thought I had better 
wait to send the report of the lands. They have given to Sister Peggy 
$800 there is ------- to ------ the valuation of the negroes not to ----- 
Polly or Susan as they have received something for the Estate. I have 
objected to the report of the Court and it remains so and we are going 
into a Law suit as the terms (?) of -----.  Letter says to prosecute 
our claims to the last which will about consume the whole amount.  
The land will be sold in June and if the waters will permit, I will 
spend June and the summer with you.  Tell Bennett to open the S----  
Administration on the Estate of Brother Charles. And (    ) it, his 
account will not be read because it is not --------- to ----- -----.
Yours with respect,
------- Pemberton