75-12-28  Forest Dale P.O. Lawrence County Ohio  December 28th 1875
to E Damrell from James M Deering, Lydia Deering and Polly Rigg
                        
Dear Sister                
We take this opportunity of writing a few  lines to you to let you know that 
we are in the Enjoyment of reasonable good health for which we feel very 
thankful to our Divine Lord and Master who is the giver of all the Blessings 
that we receive in this life and in whom we put our trust for a happier life 
beyond this vale of tears.  we hope this little Epistle may find you and your 
Enjoying the Same rich blessings.  Polly Riggs is on a visit.  Spending the 
Christmas with us and this is a Joint letter from us all to you So when you 
read it you may know that we are all talking to you.  we are all geting old 
but we ought not hint it when you are So much older than any of us.
I was Sixty one years old yesterday and Lydia was fifty Six the 2nd of this 
month and Polly's age is known to you without me writing.  Our children are 
all married and we are left alone but we have plenty of Grand children around 
us for company.  three of our Boys lives on the farm with us and one lives at 
Sheridan Coal works above Coalgrove.  Elizabeth lives 2 miles Back of Tronton 
and Francis lives 7 miles South of Flora Ill and Martha lives in the City of 
Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas.  We have thirty grand children.  
Polly has lost her oldest son Stephen.  he died last Oct about the 13th.  he 
was afflicted and Suffered a great deal in this life but is now at rest from 
all his afflictions and no doubt is enjoying a Blessed life in the paradise of 
God where we all hope to meet sooner or later.  Blessed hope although we may 
never meet any more in this life we expect to meet in the life to come on the 
Shores of that Sun bright Clime where all is peace and Joy forever.  
We have had a very Extra ordinary Season here.  the rains commenced in June 
last and continued till in August and it lookes like washing the whole Country 
away.  it Sweft away all the crops on the Scioto, Fanhawa, Big Sandy and in 
fact all the rivers and creeks and in August the Ohio river was within 5 feet 
of high water mark of the flood of 1832 and the wheat and oats and grass that 
was not destroyed was badly damaged and the corn crop was supposed to be more 
than half destroyed but when gethering time come the hill farmers were 
astonished to find the heaviest crops of corn ever known in the Country and 
the Streets of Ironton are Some times Blockaded with corn wagons that people 
can hardly pass them.  corn is 35 to 50 cts per bushel according to quality.  
the Boys and I had over 2500 bushes on my farm have sold none yet.  we had a 
letter from Patsey & J. Ballad a few day Since.  they are in good health and 
doing well.               
We have not heard from brother John for a long time but suppose he is Still 
alive  I got a letter from Henry about three years since and he said his 
father was well but geting very feebe.  we want you to write to us and let us 
know all about our connections and how they are getting along.  give us the 
news of the country generally. I told you that we were alone but we plenty of 
company.  Lydia's mother is with us.  She is 77 years old and very feeble.  
She is afflicted with asthma.  We also have a Girl and Boy with us that we are 
raising to help us to do our work.  give our love to all Enquiring friends and 
keep a good Share for yourself.
                                     
We remain yours affectionately   James M. Deering   Lydia Deering   Polly Rigg 
 to Elizabeth Damrell