Harrison CO. TX - Jesse Grimes Letters ----¤¤¤---- At Home, Sunday, August 12, 1849 Jesse. Learning that Jacob intends leaving tomorrow for Texas, I will try to write & send by him this communication. Jacob has been here long enough to know pretty much everything of a public nature and a good deal about family matters. To him you are refered for all information public, private, general & local. You will be Informed by Jacob that he is the bearer of three hundred & fifty dollars from me in the yellow stuff - the real Tom Benton mint drops. The use of said money to me was of great importance, yet had I of known how unfortunate I was to be in cotton crops and money matters, I should certainly not have applied it to my use. However it was done and you were content and myself benefited and I will say no more about it. This year has been unfavorable to planting in all this part of the country. The frost and dry weather which followed in April made crops late. Many plantations were not cleared of grass when the frequent and heavy rains set in, in June which has continued ever since with very little intermission. My corn crop is only tolerable good. Much has been beat down by the wind & floods and of that which is left standing there is more rotten corn than common. The cotton has grown to stalk without bowls or forms on the part which should bear the heaviest portion of the crop. It is already known that the crop will be very light. Without further mishaps and should there be a few more of them, it may be called a failure. I have Just begun to pull fodder which shows me many stalks without ear yet. I think my crop better than my neighbours. I know it has been better worked. Page 2 A letter was taken from the office last Monday & sent to Nancy who was & is yet at old Mrs. Womack's. It was from Frank and I am told contained an interesting account of himself and Albert and their intention of returning with their families to Alabama. I incouraged them to go there, hoping and believing it would be to-their advantage to do so. And I shall give no encouragement to their return, yet if they are not, cannot and will not be satisfied, I can't blame them to leave and try some other country. With industry and prudence they may make a support here and but little if any more. If Albert comes, he must leave what ever quality he may have for dissipation behind him. Nothing of that kind will meet with countinance here. Nancy's health has improved a great deal. I suppose she will remain here until Frank determines what he will do. By fall I hope she will be herself again. She has been troubled but little with hysteria and that only at first. Jacob, I have discovered is troubled with fits of melencholy like his uncle Ephraim. I hope they may leave him soon and never trouble him again. I have received two letters from the Governor of Florida in April and June respecting bounty land and commutation pay to Col. R. Rankin. If the heirs of Col. Rankin have done nothing with that claim, I presume there might be something got. You will recollect the effort I made through you some years ago. If they have done nothing in the matter, I would like to help them a little which I can do by this letter writer, he is the man Col. Rankin first employed to assist him, he was then living In Kentucky. I want you to ask them if they have ever obtained the commutation pay and inform me what they have done and what they have received etc. Knowing their indolence, I suppose nothing has been done. If I do anything for them I must be well paid. Page 3. James Grimes and his two youngest children children left here this morning for home. Himself and family are well. Age has made deep marks on his face but has not changed the colour of his hair. His hearing is somewhat injured. He tells me his crops has suffered by the rains, he labours hard, makes plenty and uses it. Gives himself but little trouble about other peoples business and politics. And taking the matter into consideration just as it is, and I look upon him as comfortable, contented and happy. His youngest child will soon be grown. Our election is just passed for county representative. B. L. Turner, I. S. Malone & Williams Smith were candidates. Turner is elected Politics are getting lower dayly and unless the depreciation be checked must soon fall below par. The number I do not know but will put it down at l8 of the wealthy planters of the counties above here have come down into this county to make turpentine. A great many pines were boxed last winter and are doing well. A large distellery is now located three miles north of this place. Will soon be in opperatlon. They are from No. Carolina and know what they are doing. They expect to dip over 200 barrels to the hand and by distilling can make it the best business the country can afford. The rivers of this State have and are yet unusually high for the summer. Great damage is done to crops by the overflowing of the low grounds etc. Jacob must tell you the balance. Wm Grimes. Notation on back of envelope shows James Grimes, Post Office, Kenebee Creek, Choctaw County, Alabama. Rec'd 29, Aug. Envelope addressed Hon. Jesse Grimes, Texas, pr. J. Grimes Grimes County. __________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Christine Grimes Thacker ___________________________________________________________________