Dobbs County, The Murphrey Letters 1768-1776 ========================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non- commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be repro- duced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations.   Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.   Copyright © 1999 by Ernest G. Murphrey. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. by Ernest G. Murphrey emurphrey@alpha.ecsu.edu ========================================================= These letters have been supplied to the Archives Project by Ernie Murphrey. Many Thanks to Ernie for sharing them. They are included among a vast collection of items posted on his website, located at: http://members.aol.com/emurphrey/murph.html The Murphrey Letters (1768 - 1776) July 3, 1768 - Letter from Michael Murphrey to Patsey Hill September 30, 1768 - Letter from Captain John Murphrey to Drewry Aldridge, Sr. October 1, 1768 - Letter from Drewry Aldridge, Sr. to Captain John Murphrey September 14, 1769 - Letter from Gale Murphrey to John Murphrey, Jr. May 3, 1770 - Letter of agreement to build the Little Goshen Chapel June 1, 1770 - Letter from Gale Murphrey to John Murphrey, Jr. June 2, 1770 - Letter from Captain John Murphrey to Murphrey Dickson June 10, 1770 - Letter from Murphrey Dixon to Captain John Murphrey September 9, 1770 - Letter from Captain John Murphrey to his son John Murphrey September 10, 1770 - Letter from Gale Murphrey to John Murphrey, Jr. December 10, 1770 - Letter from Gale Murphrey to William Murphrey March 19, 1771 - Letter from Jethro Murphrey to Captain John Murphrey and his wife Elizabeth August 10, 1772 - Letter from Michael Murphrey to Captain John Murphrey August 7, 1774 - Letter from Elizabeth Murphrey to her husband, Captain John Murphrey April 12, 1776 - Letter from Elizabeth Murphrey to her daughter-in-law Mrs. Mary Murphrey October 19, 1776 - Letter from Mrs. Mary Murphrey to her mother-in-law Elizabeth Murphrey Letter from Michael Murphrey, son of Captain John Murphrey, to his sister Patsey, wife of Robert Hill, Jr. Walnut Creek 3 July 1768 Dr. Sister As you propose to Christen the Child on the Morrow - I shall be oblidged to loan you my Chair & Horses to bring Mother also Elizth Sheppard & Sukey Markland whom your Husband is desirous should be the god Mothers. I have sent Markquis to drive. He should arrive well on to time for all to get here without trouble or haste. We shall met you at Church. Your Dutiful Brother Michl. Mrs. Patsey Hill the Hurricains Letter from Captain John Murphrey to Drewry Aldridge, Sr. Bearegarden 30 September. 1768 Sir, My son John informs me that he has been so fortunate as to have gain'd the affection of your Daughter Polly & that he expects to be married to her. It gives his Mother & myself much pleasure in his most prudent choice. We can not have the least objection to a young Lady of Miss Polly's amiable good Character, she having been brought up under the care of so genteel and Worthy Parents as Madam Aldridge and yourself. You may depend that Mrs. Murphrey & myself shall do every thing that is in our power towards their living in ease and to prmoting their general happiness. To further this aim we doubt not but that you & your Lady will most cheerfully contribute. It is my intent to settle upon my son my Plantation known by the name Musquettoe containing upwards of 100 acres of River low lands, leaving the furniture in the house standing there - except for some few articles - the Stock and mills thereunto with 6 or 8 working slaves which is all that can be spared at present, I having lost a good many to the Ague. He shall also have my Clark's place which is worth in most years upwards to b300. Our respectful Compliments & Praises attend both your Lady and yourself & family. I am Sir with very Great respect, yr Obdt Servt Capt. John Murphrey Letter from Drewry Aldridge, Sr. to Captain John Murphrey Capt. John Murphrey Sir- Your letter of yesterday is now before me. I have no Objections either to your son or to his connections - I have sincere regard Sr for both yourself & Family & of consequence thereof I welcome a union betwixt our two Houses. I propose to give an absolute Estate to my daughter of those things which I shall here after mention - Vizt. 250 acres of unseated Forrest lands in Craven, 4 or five negroes and some stock & furniture. Myself and Lady present our Compliments. Your very Hum Servt D. Aldridge Esq. Myrtle Bluffs Octr 1, 1768 Letter from Gale Murphrey, daughter of Captain John Murphrey, to her brother John Murphrey The Beare Garden 14 Sept. 1769 Dear Brother We received yours of the 9th inst. by cozin Dixon when he returned from down the countrie and we was right glad to here from you. We have had a frightful time of it here. Mama, Jethra, & me went down to Tower Hill to see sister Caswell who had been brought to bed of a fine new son. All are or were well there; we not hering from them since the gale, God only knows how they are. We was going to stay the night at Mrs. Shepards but made good time owning to the rds being firm & the chariott having no problems we got to Contentney & took the ferry on home. And good we did. The winds rose in the evening & becoming more violente begun to rattle the hole house. Mama was quite stricken with fright & would not be consold. Papa gatherd us together & set us all in the hall as it was the most inner place. In the early morning it stopped but came up again & lasted the better part of the day. Two of the biggest oak trees in the yard are down - one right on the barn. All the chimneys are knocked down and the negra houses gone. Most of the contents of the houses are now in the yard. Papa is much upset & swears he is ruind most of the tobacca being destroied & the store also. Cozin Holliday at Hawlanding faired bad also not a single house left standing on his planta. Dixon says Newbern is much destroied also and the country round abouts. Most of the roads are not passable owning to the high water and fallen trees and he said he had a rough go of it getting up the river. Please take cear of yourself there & hurry home. Your loving Sister Gale Mr. John Murphry at Mr. Oliver's Newbern, N. C. Care of Francis Harper Letter of agreement to build the Little Goshen Chapel. Little Goshen Chapel pp. 92 -93 At the Vestry held for St. Patrick Parish the 3 day of May 1770 - Present The revd Willm Miller Simon Bright, Drew Aldrige, William Bell, Robert Williams, Martin Caswell, Major Croom, John Tilmon, Thomas Edwards To the Hon. Abraham Shepherd & Capt. John Murphrey Trustees It is agreed that a Chapel should be built on some part of the old field belonging to the said Shepherd & Murphry called Little Goshen to be 60 foot long & 30 foot wide in the Clear, the Foundations to be begun 5 bricks thick & so continued to the surface of the earth & from thence 4 bricks thick to the water table which is to be 4 foot above the top of the earth. The walls are to be well framed of Pine or Cypress timbers well seesoned to 25 foot pitch from the surface of the earth. The Doors in the North & South sides to be 12 foot high & 6 foot wide to be glazed with best London crown and to contain 32 lights in the square part and 2 windows in the West End convenent to the Gallery. The flooring of the pews & Isles to be laid with well seasoned quarter pine plank cleared of sap on good White Oak sleepers, the wainscot for the pews to be well seasoned pine or sypress plank raised on one Diameter at the bottom of the Sharft to be fluted & the capitals of a good Order. A Gallery to be at the West End 10 foot wide to be divided into sets of pews with stairs to go up on each side. The roof to be well framed with Pine or Cypress, the girders to be 12 inches squared the summers 12 inches squared, the joists to be 12 by 3 the principal rafters to be 10 inches by 3, the purloines to be 10 by 8 & the smaller rafters to be 10 by 4, to be covered over with plank cyphered & lapped 1 1/2 inches & covered with shingles of good cypress 20 inches long 3/4 inch thick & not to show more than 6 inches. The Chapel to have a neat Madilioned cornick on the sides & each end, the pews to be the same height as them now in the present Parish Church to be primed with white lead & to be painted with a wainscot colour. All the outside of the doors & windows & cornish to be primed or painted four times over with a neat straw colour and the walls all about primed or painted with white lead. A neat altar piece of walnut with handrails & banisters of the same with a neat pulpit and desks. The Church is to be compleatly finished by the last of May 1772. One hundred pounds to be paid to the undertakers on the last of May next. Two hundred pounds to be paid on May last 1772. Jesse Jones and William Mackenny are herewith appointed to see that the said work is forward & faithfully done with good materials. It is also agreed by the Vestry that Abraham Sheppard & John Murphrey shall underwrite with Thomas Edwards for the building of the aforementioned chapel according to the plain & that they shall pay 200 pounds current money for same. Truly recorded Jas. Lindsay, V. Clk. Letter from Gale Murphrey, daughter of Captain John Murphrey, to her brother John Murphrey at Beare Garden June 1, 1770 Dearest Brother, I hope this finds you & yours in good health & spirits. All here are fine. Papa is quite busy. He has given sister Mary and Robin the Hurricanes plantation and he and Robin are building a new house there. They have enlarged the Hunting lodge at the quarters there by putting on a second floor and little short rooms to each side. It is a lovely home & Sister is excited beyond belief to get a new home of her own. Brother Hill has sent into Virginia for new furnishings for he says the makers there have it all over ours her and Mother has already sent her gardner Cato over with some cuttings to get the grounds in order. The box garden there will be larger and more modern than ours but I think will never surpass the beauty of mamas garden. Papa is planning ajourney into Virginia to visit the cousins and finish some tobacco business next month. Mama will probably go along for some shopping & visiting & I hope to go also. It is been so long since I've seen any of the relations. Tell Mary her parents & family are all fine. They were here for several days last week to hunt & were in high spirits. All my love Gale Mr. John Murphry at Mr. Cox's At New Bern, N. Co. Care of Mr. Caswell Letter from Captain John Murphrey to his nephew, Murphrey Dickson June 2, 1770 Dear Couzin, As you have no doubt already heard the Vestry has authorized the construction of our chapel at Little Goshen for the use of our neighborhood. It is to be compleated for use in the early part of 1772 or earlier. Shepheard & I are to underwrite the cost of the same & Edwards will undertake most of the building himself with but small cost to the Parish. We have need of two chairs, of good proporsion larger than table chairs and a large square table and readers desk. They are to be of walnut or cherry wood finished off in the best english manner not too plain but of a richness befitting their use. We desire also that the creed & the prayer be carved & gilded on planks to be used above the alter. The members of the Vestry spoke well of your work & feel your fee to be more reasonable than Thippen and the quality beter. If possible also it is the desire of the bord that you undertake the pulpit & bord. I will be home in the week & look forward to hearing from you then. Elizabeth sends her greetings to Mrs. Dickson and desires me to thank her for the rose bushes that she sent us. They are a most beautiful addition to our arbor and will be greatly enjoyed. The races here have not been of much account because of the freshes which have kept all but those with court business away. Exum had an adventure day before when his canoe was sunk by the current & he near drowned. All his deeds & papers to be registered at the Court are by now floated to the sea & all will have to be rewritten and signed much to his worry & that of his clients. Mine to all at your place. Yr. Obedt. Servant, J. Murphry Mr. M. Dickson Grampon Hills Dobbs Letter from Murphrey Dickson to Captain John Murphrey 10 June 1770 Dear Jacky I have your leter in hand and will be more than glad to undertk the chirs and table you spoke of. I have on hand at presint a set of comb back chirs of cherry which I think would do nice for the chancil. I take it that the table you wish dun in the stile of a silver table much as the one I made Pope some time back. If this is not of your mind let me now. I will have to waite on the pulpit for the church to be well up afore I commence work on it in that I will need the exack measures for it. All I will undertk for no fee in that it is for the Church & not for sum privet person. I will be coming up river to deliver some goods to Mr. More in a day or so and will stop to yr house to make shure of all this work and its nature. You may be ashured that I will do my best to satisfie bout yrself & the Vestry. Muffery Dixson Letter from Captain John Murphrey to his son John Murphrey Muskettoe Quarter Septr. 9, 1770 Dear Son, You will receive this of Dick Caswell who is accompanying 6 hhds. my tobo. to Newberne. All are properly marked. You are to see Mr. Olliver as to the disposal of the same. Have him hold the note for I will settle debts & orders when I arrive which will be on or about the 2d. Your mother will be accompanying me as will your sister Gale & little Jethra. Mr. Blackledge has offered us the hospitality of his home so you need not worry to engage us rooms. Send the enclosed list to Mr. Cornell to be fill'd & the goods loaded upon the Betsey after Olliver has removed the hhds. Cousin Murphry will have other instructions for you also. We will take the perangue down after the canopy and rigging is refetted & return at the end of the festivities. You will keep the perangue for your return trip at Christmas tide. Remember me to all in that place. Your Loving Father N. B. You may take the price of your picture out of the tobo. notes. If your painter be good, I may have my picture drawn for your mother's Christmas. Mr. John Murphry At Wm. Coxs Near Newbern care of Mr. Caswell Letter from Gale Murphrey, daughter of Captain John Murphrey, to her brother John Murphrey the Beare Garden Sept. 10, 1770 Dear Brother We got here last evening & are in good health altho' much fatigued. The season has started off better than any I can remember. Papa allowed us to go to the festivities at Walnut Creek for the opening of the courts & we did have a high ole time. A dinner & ball were held at the courthouse - about 40 or 50 attending - a sparkling company. Madame Sasser as usual outdid all there. Papa entered his horse Marc Anthony in the heats but lost to Major Crooms filly Royal Flush. Abe Shepard's horse Donegale won the second heat and Billy Sutton's Jupitar the last. The track was some muddy which Pa accounts for Marc's bad showing. Went home with Lam Hardy for two days of marryment & then came home. Mary Mewborn & sister Caswell & family came with us to attend church. Revd Miller also accompanied us and on Monday Papa threw a Birth Day ball for Mama. A real tearing Ball it was too. Papa felt his Spirits and he & Billy Hooker play'd their fiddles most of the night. I danced till I was out winded and Justice Speight lost his wig during a reel with Mama. Oh, how she was aback and how we laughed at his little crop'd head. Then we were off again to the hunts at White House where no fox was got but two fine staggs. A shall shower caused dinner to be moved inside but didn't slack the dancing on the lawn. Justice Taylor got tipsy off Arrack and fell from his horse (which was stoke still at the time) & broke his collar bone. He had to be brot back in a cart. His lady was fit to tie and berated him much for a lack of dignity. If I were a lawyer I would be hard put not to laugh while at the bar from all the carrying on of our Justices. This morning came Mr. Dick Caswell & invited Papa to go down to Newbern for the opening of the Government House because he is the Surveyor and one of the chiefist men in these parts. I am so excited - Papa is allowing me to go along & meet the Governor. Mama says she does not much care for Him but that His Lady is quite a charming person. Lany & Sally are to stay here with Bill & His wife But Jethra & Mr. Duncan are to go down also to look into Mr. Thom (torn) school there. What are the ladies of Newbern wearing this season. I do not wish to appear the Rustick Mouse amongst my City Cozins. I know I will not be able to out shine any of them but I would like to make at least some showing. My fondest wishes to my little sisterinlaw & friends Bryan & Cox. Your loveing Sister Gale Mr. John Murphry At Mr. Cox's At New Bern, N.C. Care of Mr. Caswell Notes from James Creech: "The house mentioned above is the Old Best House, known also as the White House. The Walnut Creek, was the Old Dobbs County Courthouse, located there. Lam Hardy lived at Jason and Mary Mewborn, was the widow of George Mewborn & Dick Caswell was Richard Caswell. Justice Taylor was William Taylor." Letter from Gale Murphrey, daughter of Captain John Murphrey, to her brother William Murphrey New Berne 10 Decr. 1770 Dear Billy, We arrived here all safe & sound of Body. The weather has been pleasant and warm. The gods must surely smile on our festivities. We are not at Mr. Blackladges as was planned because of fever amongst his people but are instead with Mr. Coor. I have rooms at the top of the house with Sally and can see from river to river and well up the neck from this high point. This is such a bustling busy place after the solitude of our forest clearing. We have done much shopping and visiting abouts. There are so many old friends and acquantenses here and a great number of Dobbs folks are down. Saw many of them at Church a Sunday. We shared a pew with old Hannah Hill and Spyrs Singleton and family. On Celebration day the town was decked out as to appear a fair. Everyone in their finery & entertainments at every corner. We went with Mr. Green & Brother Caswell to the setting of the Govournment in their new Chambers but could naught but stand below windows such was the press. Papa was made door keeper for the Assemblage in that the regular keeper was a bed with the ague. The Government closed business for the day when the point guns saluted and everyone repaired to prepare for the ball. The Govournment House is indeed grand. Mama says that it is even grander that the gouvernors house in Virginia. I heard it said by a gentleman who is much travelled that it is an English house in the finest London taste. Oh, I wish you could have seen the ball. It dazled the eyes & mind of the beholder. Such finery & jewels. Mother never looked younger or in more health. She wore the blue spittlefelds gown Papa brought for her and Grandmother B's diamonds set her off to perfection. And you should have seen our little Polly all in green & yellow satin with plumes and turban. She has become quite the city lady. When presented to the Governour & Lady he spoke at some length with Mother his having met her cousins while in Virginia. We danced and danced the long part of the evening and ate a great number of delicasys which we have only for weddings & funerals. The lawn before the house was set to form a large feast for the general public who were not at the ball and the whole night ended with a great fire show. Parson Reed danced with me three times & the dear old gentleman would make to have great liberties of speech with Mother who laughed like a girl at such flirtations. Papa played the part of the jealous husband quite well to the merryment of all. On the day after the ball we walked over to Reed's & set upon porch for a while until he took Jethra & Papa to view the school and talk of tuition with Thomason. We drank tea with Mrs. Reed and later came Mrs. Frank, Mrs. Roads and young Mrs. King a relation of Mrs. Roads from down the country. We supped at Cornell's to a large company and afterwards i played the harpsichord for all and Mother lost 4 L. to Mrs. Cornell at quadrille which caused Papa's blood to rise. The town is still in a festive mood, We have seen two horseraces and a concert by the young men of the town. We are to be home in less than a weeks time to prepare for the holydays. We have all or most of the items you wished, papa at present still haggling with Old Hard Money over credit and goods. Tell (torn) the bolts of cloth she wanted and the set of Chinia. Tell her the ladies are wearing the most charming knots and over skits and ribbons this season. Mama has found the most charming irish seamstress and you really must bring (torn) to town that she may make up dresses for her also. I really must close now (torn) is having a dance tonight & I have to begin (torn)t. Love to all. Your Sister Gale Mr. Willm. Murphrey Esqu.at Mr. Cox's the Newfields Dobbs Letter from Jethro Murphrey, son of Captain John Murphrey, to his father and mother New Berne 10 Decr. 1770 Dear Father and Mother, I am doing quite well and hope you are fine also. I am enjoying my schooling and the life here in New Bern. Mr. Tomlinson keeps a good house and is pleasant and kind. He has one other border who is also a student named Baker from near Edonton. Mr. Tomlinson sees to it that we have our lessons done each evening and that is the only problem of living with a schoolmaster. Other wise it is alright. Parson Reed comes often to the school to check on our progress and is greatly pleased with all that is done here. He has dined with us once and asked to be remembered to you both. He says the clippings Mother gave him are flourishing in his garden & he hopes you will both visit soon to view at first hand their progress. There is always so much going on here it is hard to keep one's mind on lessons. We saw a great horse race Thursday last. Mr. Singlton was there and invited me to dinner with him at Bryans. He asked me much about my lessons and I think my answers much pleased him for he said that I was pleasant companie and would someday be a joy and assett to my family. Brot. Johnny has taken a small house near the Pallace. I am sure you know the house it being near the brickill. They have just gotten settled in good so I have not been avisiting. I do see them at Church & have gotten dinner invitations but with us both busy in our separate ways we have not been able to get together. All here send best wishes and await your next visit. I am your son Jet. Capt. John Murphrey Dobbs Letter from Michael Murphrey to his father, Captain John Murphrey Michl's Delight Augt. 10, 1772 Dear Father, The desire for keeping up a fillial love inclines me to give you a line or Two which I hope will be acceptable. I have lately been put out by a bad fever but by taking the Bark am as well & sound of wind & Limb as before. Our friend Randle & his Lady and daughter went from here Friday last and col Hardies coach met them at Crowne point which conveyed them to his home that night. Mistress Randle is a fine plump Girl with a great deal of since & vivasity and behaves her self quite well. I hear nothing of sister Patsey tho' I hear they were to Church in N Bern on Sunday and all were fine. Reports from my oversere at the Cedar Stand say we have had such rains that the Taback fires & takes much damage in the house. No doubt we shall have a fresh to carry off what is left. I am afraid I shall make a poor showin all round this year. But what can I expect from absent planting when I cant keep a personal eye on my property. I hope to move down the country for good in the near future if the times do not forbid it. Saw Harvey last Wednesday in Wilmingtown. He was purchasing a new spinnet for his middle girl who is recently married. He says poor Tindol has lost both his girls and a son to the ague. For more news I will have to refer you to a better authority. My Kind Love to Mother & any of my brothers and sisters who might be about. Your very affectionate Son Michl Capt. John Murphry esqu the beare Garden Newbern, N. C. Letter from Elizabeth Murphrey to her husband, Captain John Murphrey Beare Garden Aug 7, 1774 My dearest Husband The heavy rains here & the great rise of contentny must no doubt make you eager for news from this place. All the low grounds here at the Meadows & Panther sw. quarters are completely covered over save for some few high spots. It has drained some but the river is not yet in its banks. The tobakha I feel is all but lost & the corn too I fear. All is covered with mud but there is now a rain afalling which I hope may wash it clean to give at least a more chereful contenance to the view. The upland crops have suffered some from the wet but have mostly shed it. Johnnie's losses will I am afraid be most calamitous. Not only the crops on his place but the lower floor of his house is also covered up. We had little time to take out the furnishings and most of what was there is lost. Betwixt the 2 of us we will nothing like clear expenses this year. Only the new rice field & Robin's rice crop are standing in this part of the country. Hooker and Sheppard have been by to visit and talk of nothing but high waters and ruin. We are all otherwise well except Mr Duncan who has not yet entirely recovered but is so much better. I will be so glad to see you again dearist. Please let me know of you. My deepest love to you & best wishes to all at that place. Thy Most Loving & Obdt Wife Bess Captain J. Murphrey Martins Hallifax Letter from Elizabeth Murphrey, wife of Captain John Murphrey, to her daughter-in-law Mary(Polly)Murphrey Hurricanes April 12, 1776 My Dearest Daughter I had a safe and very pleasant journey home to find all the jasamine & fruit trees in bloom. And have been devoting much time to the garden no doubt to the better ment of both my health & attitude. Mary has asked for help preparing her garden. As you know she is but a midling gardner. At your mothers urging she has written for seeds from Simpson. Your Mother has already sent over several packets of spring peas and lilac. I am in as fine a health & strength as could be expected at my time of age. I ride or walk about the plantation twice a day morning and evening according to the weather. I would love to have you with me occasionally in these excursions. I am much drawn to you for your resemblence to myself at that age. I am so lonely these times. Most of my chicks have fled the nest & the old cock has gone on. It is hard to have built almost 50 years of life around one man only to be left alone in old age. it seems that even despite ourselves life is still no more than a brief song on the wind that lingers for a bit and is no more. I see the children frequently but they all have their own lives to live and very little time to spend on an old tit like myself tho the love between us all is strong and binding. Sohee ran off from me a fortnight ago & is now lurking about God knows where. He greatly offended Patsey when she came visiting & she threatened him with a beating. He ran off to avoid it& so has left me with no one to wait table. If it were not for the economy & the need to have Negras to maintain ones position in life I would rid myself of them this moment. It is so hard sometimes to care for the every need of both a white & black family. I am often stifled by the burden it places on my scant patience & wisdom. But for old Titch I would run off myself sometimes. I bless the day Papa gave her to me. I am with Patsey at present. She had a miscarriage this friday will be most a week. She was delivered of a fine boy tho stillborn. She is quite well but distraught as any mother who looses a small one is. Health wise she glows. She attributes the misfortune to a very bad trip by charriott last week to visit Nancy at Chelsea. Please write more. These old ears pine for news of you & yours. Your loveing Mother Elizabeth Mrs. Mary Murphry Mr. Cox at New Bern Letter from Mary Murphrey, daughter-in-law of Captain John Murphrey, to her mother- in-law, Elizabeth Belare near Newbern 19 Octr. 1776 Dear Madam I am greatly saddened by the news of the fever on Contentny. William brot the news when he came to this place with his family. Johnnie was so much affected by the death of his dear Sister Gail as to be unable to eat or sleep for near a forte night. Both his health & his business have suffered from this condition. She above all others in this world was his true soul mate & confidant. He prays greatly that Lanie and Jethra recovered & were not taken also. I am quite well tho fat with child yet. John has removed me to this place for fear of the outbreak of fever in the town and to escape the Heats there which are greater than any I can remember for this season of the Year. The countrie round bouts is very pleasant & healthie and the house elegant and new. Mr. Blount is quite nice and much the tease and his Lady indeed an ornament to his house. Taken seperately they are accomplished and enjoyable company but the friction that exist between them as man and wife can make them quite uncomfortable to be with at times. They were kind enough to prepare for me a room below stairs. I am so plumb now that I can hardly rise from my chair let alone try to walk stairs. But it is only a small inconvenience when one thinks of the great pleasure god grants us by children. And yet, when thinking on Gail it is hard to understand why god should grant us such a gift only to take it so shortly from us. Everyone about town is up for freedom. John is still of two minds. This independency is sweet indeed but he fears war will destroy our trade or at least cripple it to the extent of economic ruin for the Province. I can but wonder what condition the world will be in when my child enters it. Johnnie has spoken of sending to the Northward for a stone marker for Gail and swears he will do so if matters do not worsen. Madam, I pray god to protect you & family & deliver them from future pain and sickness. My wishes and prayers to all. Your Loving daughter, Mary Mrs Elizabeth Murphrey the Beare Garden Dobbs, N. C.