[Background - Letter from James Robinson age 70 to his son Thomas Harvey
Robinson who is 18 and at Erskine College in Due West, SC.]

[Envelope with blue? three cent stamp of profile looking left.  
Fairfield post mark.  Date not visible in post mark.]
Master Thomas H. Robinson  *1*
Dew West Post Office
Abbeville County
South Carolina

[letter:]
Fairfield, August 6th. A.D.1878.  T. H. Robinson my son          *1*
Your Letter this hour received gives Satisfaction 
respecting the trip to North Carolina, your visit was much
Shorter than I had supposed.  I have wrote to you at 
Long Cane.  Also to Jane at Craigsville in Lancaster County      *2*
My understanding from your letter was that you would
first visit our Longcane friends therefore I wrote there, and 
as Soon as I heard you had gone to North Carolina I wrote 
to Jainie.  in all of these letters, I gave a truthful statement *3*
of Robert S. Davidson's condition or health.  I now State that     *4*
his present condition is better than at anytime in 8 months 
past.  Mary has said he has improved as fast as any person       *5*
she ever saw recovering from a spell of Sickness.  Mary is 
so well satisfied with his health at this time She has gone
home to see how matters are getting along there.  She will 
return in a few days.  Big Bud (as you call him) was able        *6*
to Walk up to J.P. last Sabbath and walk back in the evening     *7*
I do know at this time he thinks himself greatly improved & 
speaks of going home.  Altho I do not think him well enough 
and I am determined he shall not leave until the Doctor 
Says he will be Safe in doing so.  I dont know what more
I can write you that would be of Satisfaction or interest 
to you or any of your Company.  I know J.P. has wrote           *7*       
to Sally - and Mary wrote to Janie.  What they have said        *8,9*
[over]
or wrote I know not.  I am satisfied they must have said
R. S. Davidson was better.  Altho they may truthfully say       *4*
he is not out of danger.  I think it will require some 
time for him to collect Strength; he certainly is very 
hopeful and talks as tho nothing ailed him except the 
cough - I received from Cousin John I. Bonner his               *10*
Account Current which Shows a balance in his favor
I would admonish you to get along with as little 
Money as you can, but all your wants be supplied
and as Soon as Cotton can be gotten to market will
make Some exchange on New York - I will ex[p]ect you
to get through with your Visiting by the time School
is resumed.  And apply yourself to Study, and Make 
a man - I feel well assured you can keep up 
with your Class if you will - but to do this you
Must apply yourself.  J.P.s family is Sick not bad.            *7*
Fanny & May, your Sister Jane is here quite unwell.            *11,12,13*
I dont know of anything that would interest you
Should anything of interest transpire I will write 
you.  Write soon and give us a full history of what 
you Saw & heard in your trip to North Carolina.
Should you visit Brother Fred before you get this you         *14*
Can give us all the News from Long Cane.  Say to Janie        *9*
& Bettie they Should write to their father & mother at this   *15*
Post Office & not to Eureka.  Their letters will come in 4 days
         Your father - James Robinson                         *16*
		 

*1* Thomas Harvey Robinson who is 18 and at Erskine College in Due West, SC.
*2* "Jane at Craigsville in Lancaster County" is one of the Robinson sisters.
*3* "Janie"
*4* "Robert S. Davidson" is Robert Stuart or Sydney Davidson who married Mary
Susannah Robinson (their sister/daughter).
*5* "Mary" is Mary Susannah Robinson (their sister/daughter) who married Robert
S. Davidson.
*6* "Big Bud" is believed to be Robert S. Davidson.
*7* J.P. is James Pressly Robinson (their brother/son).
*8* "Sally" is Sarah Hope Robinson (their sister/daughter) who is also
attending school in Due West at Due West Womens.
*9* "Janie" is Jane Eliza Davidson (their neice) who is also attending school
in Due West at Due West Womens.  Her parents lived in Eureka, Navarro County,
TX.  
*10* "Cousin John I. Bonner" is Rev. John Irwin Bonner who is president and
runs Due West Womens.
*11* "Fanny" is Mary Fannie McCracken wife of James Pressly Robinson (their
brother/son).
*12* "May" is Mary Robinson daughter of James Pressly Robinson.
*13* "Sister Jane" is Rebecca Jane Robinson wife of Irvin Hale Bonner.
*14* "Brother Fred" is Frederick B. Robinson brother of James who lives in Long
Cane, Abbeville County, SC.
*15* "Bettie" is Bettie Fleming Davidson (their neice) who is also attending
school in Due West at Due West Womens.  Her parents lived in Eureka, Navarro
County, TX.  
*16* James Robinson age 70.