Duplin County, NC - Jesse Grimes Letters #### Letter #26 At Home April 20, 1843 Jesse, I returned from NoCarolina last night and hasten to inform you the result, and my entire success. On receiving the Power of Atty from you I opened a correspondence with James Branch stating that I was clothed with ample authority to make settlement, and that interest would be exacted upon the money on hand, this roused Archy and he replied in a long letter refusing to pay. I then wrote to a friend in Mobile to consult with old Wright Standley and Judge James Martin formerly of N.C. They stated he was required to place your money in the University fund after five years which not being done he was liable for interest. I then determined to make him pay interest, but on arriving at his house he showed me you letter directing him to retain your money in hand so as to be ready when called for, this changed my determination together with the warm solicitations from friends in his behalf, his troubled and distributed situations produces a change in my feelings towards him and furthers if I had continued I would have had to file a bill in Chancery making a tedious and troublesome lawsuit. I have stated the ground occupied in the premises that you may fully understand what view I took of the case believing that you will be entirely satisfied with what I have done. On my return from NC before, I informed you the amt of your legacy in money but I now think I made a mistake of about $1.40, however you will see by comparing this with the former statement the cash now recd. was legacy $514.70 for Land $200. making in all $814.70 which is now in my hands in Alabama money. It was paid in bills of the Carolina Banks but on my arrival in Mobile I swaped for our state paper and recd. a difference nearly equal to my traveling expenses, you are advised of the conditions of our State Banks I presume: there is no danger now the Banks are in a state of liquidation the paper will be sought by debtors of the Banks and will become better till all is redeemed. When I arrived in Duplin I was told your land could not be sold for cash, now on credit for more than $200. but I contrived to raise the wind and made Branch give $300. in cash or loose the land, such running and borrowing of money I have never before seen. I went by Steam and Stage, which is a very expeditious and expensive way of traveling. I was gone from home four weeks and one day. I will now state the distance from place to place and the traveling expense. From home by river 145 miles to Mobile $5. expense there $1.50, River to Montgomery 446 miles $5. tavern bill $1.75. Railroad to Franklin 36 miles $2.25 fare 50 cents, Stage to Madison 190 miles $18. fare $3.25. Railroad to Augusta 105 miles $5.25 fare 75 cts. Omni-bus to Hamberg 50cts. Railroad to Charleston 150 ,miles $8. fare $1. Charleston to Wilmington, 190 miles, $6.50 fare $1. Wilmington to Warsaw 55 miles $2.25, horse to Joe Grimes 50cnts, making $63. I bought South Carolina currency in Mobile to pay my expenses in Carolina’s and Georgia both ways at 18 percent on Alabama money. My expenses on the homeward trip was about equal to the above say in expenses, $126. exchange $10.50 making $136.53. I know this sum looks large but be assured these expenses are the least that the trip can be made on. If I could have went on horse the traveling expense would have been little if any short of $100. and required more than double the time. I suppose Alabama paper will be as good perhaps better than NC in Texas if so the expenses will be trifling. You will now look out for some confidential person to make the conveyance from me to yourself but remember Afore. If Faith and Collier should get a hint I know what will be the result. I would like to hand over the cash this morning. I went to see the Swinsons, Winders, Sullivans and Herrings but remained so short a time that I had but little satisfaction. Made Joe Grimes my place of deposit and rode his horse. Quinn, the man living at Fathers old place bid for your land which waked up several of them and scared Branch out of his senses. Quinn is a money making man. From this running, borrowing and great difficulty manifested in raising your money and $100. which I brought for a man in Sumter County, Ala., I am induced to believe that but little money was left in Duplin. I have not been into the farm to see how work has been going on in my absence. My cotton is planted and about half the corn crop, at this time we lack rain. The spring has been remarkable cold and late, March being much colder than January. Light times both here and in Duplin, Branch will have to sell property or have it sold to meet his engagements. I do not think of anything more that is worth writing and am in a hurry to go to the Post Office. Let me hear from you or see your agents as soon as convenient. Archy and his sons requested me to say they wanted you to write and inform then how they might continue your letters to you, they also said give their compliments-but they have now realized their last hope and I expect the rigid course I took with them will be the cause of complaints and neglect or forgetfulness. Wm. Grimes Please note: This letter is not listed in the index, Marie DeVena of Porter, TX, a descendant of Jesse Grimes was most instrumental in helping to get these letters available to the public. This one in particular was obtained directly from her. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Betty Grimes ___________________________________________________________________