LETTERS FROM/TO WILLIAM HULL, ST. MARY PARISH, LA.-1842/1845

Submitted by: Margie Luke on 9 October 2010


Source: These letters were purchased in 2006 from Bartleby's Books, 1132 29th 
Street N.W., Washington D.C. 20007 {Georgetown} by Margie Luke, who transcribed 
them. The letters are presented exactly as they were written with punctuation 
and capitals added for ease of reading. 

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(William Hull to his wife and family from Franklin LA.)

Nov 29, 1842 
To all my friends in Michigan ----- To my wife first ---

I wrote to you from Lawrence Co., Ohio and we started from there on the first of 
Nove. and came down the river as far as Bayou Plaquemine where we bought a small 
boat and hired it drawn ten miles by land and then entered the Bayou and from 
that to lake and from lake to Bayou until we landed here on the Bayou Teche 
about 200 miles southwest of New Orleans. 

I have enjoyed good health except I took a swim in crossing Grand Lake, a 
distance of forty miles, exposed to a cold north east wind.   We landed here a 
week ago in the midst of the sugar plantations and in the time of sugar making.  
We are going to lumbering and have been preparing tools, provisions and hands 
for a winter campaign and will start next Wednesday about one hundred miles back 
and if we have our health we shall probably be gone 3 months.  There is no post 
office nearer than Franklin and you must write to me at that place and I can get 
your letters by the boats that are constantly passing.  
This is a delightful looking country, part prairie and part wood land.  The 
prairie is as handsome as White Pigeon and very furtile producing about 3,000 
lbs per acre of sugar besides the molasses that drains out of the sugar.  The 
labor is mostly done by the negroes.  I am now Sunday, writing in a sugar house 
full of negroes grinding cane and boiling sugar.  Three teams are drawing and 
about a dozen cutting cane.  They appear to be a generally happy people, well 
fed and clothed.  They do not work hard but they are at work as soon as light 
and until dark and then one half the night during sugar making which generally 
lasts 2 months.  

There was a severe freeze about the 2nd of Nov. which did a good deal of injury 
to the crop of sugar but the weather is now as mild as Sept. in Michigan.  This 
Bayou is navagable from the ocean one hundred miles into the country for 
schooners and steam boats of the largest class.  There is no current in it 
except what is produced by the tide and the country is represented by all the 
inhabitants as remarkably healthy.  The Bayou runs from the ocean a north west 
course nearly parallel with it [the coast]. It is a distant about 12 miles so 
that in summer they are constantly fanned by the sea breezes - the reason that 
it is so healthy.  

I am south of the 30th degree of latitude.  The seven stars pass to the north of 
me and the dipper is below the horizon nearly one third of the time.  I have not 
seen more than two of our northern summer birds and I am doubtful about their 
coming south in the winter.  

I shall go to making brick in the Feb. or March.  I can get 2 dollars per 
thousand for moulding and setting and superintending the burning, all the rest 
of the work done by the Negroes. Wheeling the brick and all I can make 100 
dollars per month easy.  I have taken one job of 12 thousand and there are 
others wanting, but I have not positively engaged only the above.  If I have 
anything like good luck I shall be able to transmit you some money by the first 
of June.  

I don't think I shall return until August when the unhealthy season commences.  
I have only room to say a few words more.  My love to you all--write soon and 
say what sugar is worth.  It is worth 3 7/8 cents here.

Polly and others  
s/William Hull

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 Addressed to Polly Hull, Florence, St Joseph Co, Michigan; 
 Post marked Franklin, LA  Sep 26
 
Page 1

Centreville Sept 24th   1843

To my beloved wife and children,

I am yet among the living but am one of the most unfortunate men that ever lived 
- I have been sick more than half the time since I wrote to you with billous 
fever and dysentery and when able to work I was constantly exposed to rain and 
water which would bring on the fever again.  I was unable to raft my lumber and 
I hired two men to raft it for me -  one raft was driven down a wrong bayou 
which proved almost a total loss +  one was driven into Grand Lake when a 
terable storm broke it to pieces and scattered it on all directions.  
I was sick, but went in search of it and found two large pieces driven on an 
island, the rest was so broken that I could not find it. This was in July, the 
weather very hot the water bad.  My health poor and among the rest of my 
calamities I was taken down with a violent fever.   I was confined about two 
weeks.  As soon as I was able to walk about I started with two men to take my 
lumber to market, but after being exposed to sun and storms for four days I was 
taken again with the fever and was compelled to have them set me on shore 
fifteen miles from this place with only forty cents in my pocket and one suit of 
summer clothing. I came here on foot, exposed to burning sun - it seemed as if I 
should fall at every step.

Page 2

Fortunately I came across Mr Ryan who very generously took me to his boarding 
where I stayed a week and then came here to Mr Crawford's {1} where I am now.    
I recd a letter from Polly and others - one from Pawlet and a paper from John.   
Mrs. Swallow is dead; she died the 26 of April with the dropsy and asthma. She 
suffered a good deal for three weeks before she died.  The letters and paper, 
together with my hat and an order for fifteen dollars, I lost overboard one dark 
and stormy night.  I felt the loss of the letters and paper more than the hat 
and order and a handkerchief into the bargain. 

I recd a letter yesterday from William {2} and Polly {3} and Harriet {4 with 
great joy and glad to hear that you are all in tolerable health.  I have not 
heard from the men that I left with my lumber, but fear that they have again 
been broken up and finally lost. If so I have lost everything that I had earned 
for the last nine months. It seems as if I was pursued by a kind of fatality 
that dooms me to perpetual poverty - nothing prospers in my hands.  If my lumber 
is lost I shall not be able to return this fall. 

Centreville is six miles below Franklin on the Bayou Teche. When I arrived here 
I weighed 136 1/2 pounds - I am now gaining my health as fast as could be 
expected.   I have been at work for some time tho very feeble.  Mr Crawford is a 
sugar planter and I am making hogsheads for him.  I work under the shade of the 
oak - the brave old oak. 

Page 3

I told him I was a cooper and he set me to work. I felt some fearful, but I have 
succeeded beyond my own expectations.  I shall probably stay with him through 
the sugar making commencing the first of Nov and lasting two months.  I would 
not go into the swamp again for all the wealth of the state.  I would not endure 
again what I have endured for the last nine months for as much gold as I could 
carry.  When I get well and feel able to look back on misfortune and suffering I 
may spin you some long yarns but I must first get a heart of steel and nerves of 
brass.

This is a very healthy place although it is extremely hot and rainy - the 
hottest weather we have had this summer.  I have no pretty stories to tell you 
at present - when I get well I will tell you some about the negroes. At present 
I don't feel in a mood for telling stories - I have not laughed nor sung for the 
last three months.

Tell me where Harrison {5} and William are - in Indiana or Vanburen Co Michigan 
- will write after.  Harriet is the best girl because she writes the most tho I 
can't complain of any - you are all very kind and good.  I shall have more 
opportunities to write and will improve them.  Tell John {6} to write and send 
me some of his papers. I read the one he sent,  advertisements and all, and 
would then turn it over and begin again as delighted as ever. 

Fare ye well and for ever still forever, fare ye well Polly Hull and children 

s/William Hull

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Addressed to Polly Hull, Florence, St Joseph Co, Michigan

Post marked Franklin, LA  Dec 8

Page 1

Franklin Nov 30th  1843

To my beloved wife,

I wrote to you in Sept and have been looking very anxious for an answer for 
several days.  Fearing that it might be lost I thought I would delay writing no 
longer.  Tis a long time since we have met - I remember well and I will remember 
the kind friends I left there in Michigan and those that come since I left, and 
I remember too the time and place where last we parted.  O, I wish I could meet 
them all again in health and [. .blurred].  Life is uncertain, many of our 
acquaintances and friends have gone to their loving homes since last we parted 
and we know not how soon it may be our lot to follow them.  I fear we may never 
meet again but I hope for the best. 

My health is pretty good, but not as good as it was ten days ago.  I then 
thought I enjoyed the best health I ever did. I then weighed one hundred and 
seventy one pounds, all fresh and new and I know not why it should not be young 
flesh too - at any rate it felt young to me. You see I make many mistakes - It 
is a rainy day and I am writing in a house where there are two carpenters at 
work and they are constantly quizzing me about my letter. 

There are schooners here now from [..t.o.r.n ..] northern and eastern ports as 
far as Maine.  For some time back it has been very warm and the mosquitoes and 
flies have prevented my sleep at night - and bad water by day have made me quite 
sick but not so much as to keep me from work.  I have not lost a day since I 
wrote to you. 

Page 2

I am now at work for Mr Carlin {7} about half a mile From Franklin making 
hogsheads.  I think I shall have to return to Mr. Crawfords to make some more 
for him - if not I shall stay here until January.  Coopers are in great demand 
at this season of the year.  I get one dollar for each hogshead and found 
everything.  I have not recd. any money, for they do not pay till their sugar 
goes to New Orleans, but I have been able to get clothing so that I am  now 
comfortably and decently clothed.    I live well, the planters set a good table 
and a mechanic who keeps himself neat and clean is well recd by them.  
We are now in the midst of sugar making and have not had any frost and the 
weather so warm that I sleep - when I can sleep - without any blanket over me.  
One part of my lumber was brought on the Teche and sold to Judge Baker {8}. One 
other part was taken to Indian Bend {9}and sold by canoe pirates and I suppose 
they stole them from Shaws Island {10}where I had made them fast.  I can prove 
the lumber to be mine and shall commence suit for it as soon as the hurry of 
coopering is over and I get money enough to pay expenses.  

N. Shattwik has started for home - he has been sick all summer and starts for 
home sick.  He intends to return and bring his wife and children - doubtful.  
I cannot write the thousandth part that I want to write to you and children and 
yet I know not where to break off - 

Farewell my love, Farewell Polly Hull

s/William Hull

Bayou is the French name for small river or creek

Page 3

To Harriet -

To you and Polly I feel much indebted for your kind letters - they are well 
calculated to enliven my melancholy moments for cold indeed must be that heart 
that would not warm at the recollection of such friends.  I would send you some 
papers and pamphlets if there were any in Franklin, but there are none.  I went 
the other day to see if I could find any but could get nothing - no nothing.
Ah, Harriet this is the most beautiful country the eyes of man ever saw. The 
Bayou Teche (pronounced Tash) is 150 miles long and the land on each side is as 
level as pigeon prairies. On the right bank as you go to the ocean is almost one 
continuous prairie and all in sugar plantations. The left is a thick forest and 
furnishes wood and as fast as it is cleared is planted in cane. 

I wish I had room I would tell you all about sugar making.  It > the cane I 
mean> is cultivated same as we do corn at the north and grows to the height of 
twelve or fourteen feet about the size of a mans wrist; it has no seed but is 
propagated by the stalk being planted.  The mills for grinding are three large 
iron cylinders perfectly smooth the cane is passed between these  cylinders and 
that is all the grinding or pressing required.  They are very neat and clean in 
the manufacture of sugar and the stories that are told in the north how nasty 
the negroes are is all false.
Tell me where Harrison and William are - What has become of Georgie - Has he 
gone to see his uncle - Well when he comes back tell him to remember me. 

s/William Hull

(In margin) Tis easy business to make a hogshead in a day, sometimes I make one 
before dinner                 

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Addressed to John Hull, Florence, St Joseph Co, Michigan
 Post marked Franklin, LA  May 21

On front: P. Office Franklin, LA
On back: How do you do Mr. H.  Any dancing going on in Old St Jo last winter - I 
done a good deal of it last winter - Richard E. Talbot

Page 1

Bayou Salle May 19, 1844

My dear son

I recd two letters from you, one dated in Nov and the other in Jan, both welcome 
messengers. It is gratifying to my feelings to be remembered by my children and 
friends. 

Your last brought a very unexpected and unwelcome message from your maam.  It 
was more bitter than the cup presented to Socrates and as I do not possess his 
philosophy and contempt of life for it is certain I did not swallow it with half 
the grace that he did the deadly hemlock.  It has caused me many unpleasant 
feelings and I cannot keep it out of my mind a single moment - the thought that 
I am to have a melancholy Methodist companion to enliven the downhill of lift 
embitters every moment of my life and throws a gloom over all those scenes 
around which memory loves to linger.  I have written to her requesting her to 
suspend all further connection with the Methodists until my return.  I have not 
the vanity to suppose that I can influence her mind but I felt a hope that time 
and a little good dispassionate reflection would lead her to retrace her steps.  
She is not in the habit of writing; I wish therefore you would  write to me and 
tell me what she says and what is her determination. It will relieve me from a 
state of uncertainty and of ten thousand doubts and fears.

I am now making brick for Mr Hudson {11} on Bayou Salle. I commenced the last 
days of March and have now 150,000 made and have 100,000 set in the kiln.  I 
shall not finish here before the last of July.  I have six negroes and two mules 
to manage and it would be difficult to tell which is the most stupid.  
If I don't get a knowledge of the true and genuine religion this summer it will 
not before the want of good instruction for the negroes are all good and zealous 
Methodists.  

The other day Amos undertook to lecture Wallace for using such light and airy 
language with Fanny - said that they would all appear at the day of judgment 
against him and ebyting - de trees and de fences and de mules would appear and 
speak against him. What,  de mules said Wallace. Yes, said Amos de mules an 
ebyting for Brother Roberts {12} said so and he can read the bible and he say 
ebyting would appear at the judgment and speak. Wallace was a little   [. 
?skeptical?.] about the mules appearing and talking at the judgment.
Den (said Amos) you don't believe de bible.  This is a knockdown argument among 
whites as well as blacks and Wallace not liking to lay under the charge of 
infidelity appealed to me to know if de bible say so but as I did not wish to 
weaken their faith in Brother Roberts (for I think religion a fine thing among 
negroes) I declined giving a decision in so important a case and referred them 
back to Brother Roberts - as he was their preacher, he best understood spiritual 
things.  

Their singing is enough to charm the bird out of the bush, yes it is.  Even 
choirs of bright angels attend while they sing, well pleased to hear negroes a 
praising their king.  Well, if their mouths are not stretched from ear to ear 
then I am no judge of the power of music over their visible [ . n.e .rves. .?].  
I have been to a negroe wedding and dance in company with my friends but have 
not room to tell you the fun I saw there. 

I was sick all winter with the dysentery, but am now much better, but I don't 
think I shall get well until I return to the north and change my diet.  I shall 
have to go to New Orleans to get a boat to return home and shall not dare to go 
there while the yellow fever prevails which is in the months of August,  Sept 
and October so you must not look for me before Christmas. 

I cannot write evenings as an amount of the mosquitoes and Sundays I have brick 
to look to so you must not expect many letters from me this summer. But you and 
Harriet and Polly must write often.  Say if Harrison has come to Florence and 
William - where is he, you did not say a word about him.  Give my love to my 
beloved wife and all my children and friends - 
Good Bye  John Hull & Mary Hull

s/William Hull

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Addressed to John Hull, Esq, Florence, St Joseph Co, Michigan
 Post marked Franklin, LA  Jan 24

On front: Will the P.Master please forward this as soon as possible to Mr. Hull

Page 1

Franklin St. Mary Parish La Jan 24/45

John Hull Esq -

Dear Sir

You will undoubtedly be surprised when you receive this letter from our old 
acquaintance.  I regret very much that it falls to my lot to impart bad news to 
you in relation to your father, but fate has ordered otherwise.  I have 
neglected writing some days hoping to have something more definite to say in 
regard to him.  

Your Father left Centreville some 3 weeks since for Cypress Island (some 30 or 
50 miles from this) for the purpose of getting out saw logs and staves.  He left 
in a skiff and took along with him some provisions such as flour, bacon, etc. 
intending to be gone some weeks.  (I think he intended to hire some men to work 
for him)  The day after he left the skiff was found blown against the shore some 
15 or 20 miles below Centerville and partly filled with water.  The bbl of flour 
was floating some distance below at a place called Chicot Pass and the general 
opinion is that the old gentleman  has found a watery grave.  We hope for the 
best but fear the worst ------

I became acquainted with your Father soon after I came to this place & have seen 
him often since.  He was vary anxious to return to Michigan last fall but had 
difficulty in making collections.  The person owing him is a rather hard pay, 
but perfectly good. 

I saw him but a few days before he left & he wished me to say to you if I saw 
you first that his health was good & that he would return home in the Spring or 
Summer. Poor fellow, he little thought this the last message he should ever send 
to his family.

The old gentleman was always very glad to see me & get the loan of some Mich 
papers.  We have still hopes tho very faint.  Several persons have been out 
making search but without any success & the section of country he left for is 
made up of cypress swamps, marshes, lakes and [it] would be an accident if his 
body was ever found. The lakes are very shallow & no settlements near them.
Should then anything turn up I will inform you immediately.  I will return to 
Mich in the spring & I wish you to write me immediately on rect of this & if 
there is anything I can do for you I will do it with pleasure.  I suppose there 
must be something due him - if so I will try to get it & pay it over when I see 
you if you wish it.  

My own health is pretty good.  Give my best respects to all old acquaintances 
and my brothers and accept for yourself my best wishes for prosperity etc.  You 
may expect to hear from me soon again.  I will go to Centreville in a few days & 
learn the particulars& give them to you. Don't fail to write immediately.

Respect. Yours

Obd sent in haste

 s/ R.E. Talbot         

Direct to Franklin St. Mary Parish La

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Addressed to John Hull, Esq Florence St Joseph Co Michigan
Postmarked Franklin La Feb 28


Franklin La - Feb 28, 1845                     

John Hull Esq -

Dear Sir

I wrote to you some time since in regard to your father & promised to write you 
again on the subject -

I am sorry to say that I cannot give you anything definite.  I have made 
inquiries often at Centreville & all think the old Gentlemen came to a watery 
grave.

I learned from Mr. Nettleton of Centreville - Merchant - that he had an account 
against your father for provisions clothing, etc. furnished by him a few days 
before he left for Cypress Island & your father gave him as security his a/c 
against B. Hudson.

I think there will be a balance in your fathers favor of $45 or $50 if Hudson 
does the fair thing, which is doubtful.  Hudson is called rather a slippery 
fellow.  I shall expect to receive an answer from my former letter soon.  I cant 
think of anything to add to my former letter - I am enjoying tolerable health.

Respect. Yours

R.E. Talbot 

Direct to Franklin St. Mary Parish La