84-09-26 Sept 26 1884  Centresville Wayne Co West Va.  from Mary Rigg (could 
be Polly) at bottom of page it says to E Damrell

Dear Brother it is with pleasure I take the pleasure of answering your kind 
letter after so long a time and to let you know how I am getting along.  I 
have been very bad since you was up here.  i have been blind every since you 
was here until just a few days ago and i could not help myself no way but I am 
not as well now as I was when you was here but I hope this will find you and 
your family all well.  well brother I got a letter from sister betsy and she 
wanted me to send it to you and my letter to and for you to write and send 
both of the letters to her.  you must write soon as you get this letter and 
let me know how you are making out.


Dear Sister it is with the greatest of pleasure I take the oportunity to 
answer your kind and loving letter and to let you know how much pleasure it 
was to me to hear that you was as well as  what you are.  it would give me 
more pleasure if I could see you.  well sister I have been _________since the 
25 of July that I could not see nor i could not get in the bed or out without 
help. I can make out to sit up in an armed chair an hour or two by someone to 
help me in it.  I am at my daughter Martha now.  I have been so blind that she 
Just had to feed me Just like a blind child but I have been for a few days 
that I could see a little out of one eye.  I cant walk a step and I have far 
about 2 months I cant help myself a tal i cant turn myself in the bed a tal 
well sister it is not been the blessing of the lord that I could see to read 
the bible but then i try to keep encouraged and pray that the lord will cary 
me through this world and take me to rest in heaven. I have not been able to 
go to meeting for 4 or 5 years.  I have not been able to get to see my 
children only as they have me for 2 or 3 years.  well sister i will tell you 
that my daughter Eliza and Ruhammah is both dead.  I have not got but two 
children living her and one in Texas.  one girl here and one boy and one girl 
in texas.  i was so bad for a bout 4 weeks that i could not have my head 
combed and i thought i would have to have it all cut off but the children 
beged me not to cut if off.  if i could see you I could tell you mor in one 
day than I could write in a weak.  when this you all remember me though many 
miles apart are we today.  so I will bring my letter to a close by saying 
write soon as you get this letter.  write soon and often your true sister Mary 
Rigg  to Eliabeth Damrell  Direct your Letters to Centresville, Wayne Co. W. 
Va