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Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: sylvi@gkg.net February 25, 2002 ************************************************************************ University of Texas at Arlington University Libraries Special Collections Collection: Plummer Papers Location: GA10 Caption: 1830-36 single To: Mrs Mary Plummer Dublin, Laurens City, Georgia Dear Mother Augustan I made up my mind to write to you this day, and now that I have commenced I scarcely know what to write you, save, that I enjoy most excellent health in and that our city continues still health. Perhaps, you would like to know some of my future calculations. They are pretty much as usual, desiring to get all the practice I can, and make, I hope eventually, enough to live comfortable, and afford you every comfort and convenience, and have you with me as early as my situation may be independent. In my trip to the new purchase, I found my lands better than I expected and in all probability I shall sell them in a few months. Tell Elton, I did not go to see his: because I heard from good authority it was entirely out of the golden region In all likelihood very good land for cultivation, in Now for the young ladies. Miss N. nor Miss I neither of them have a singe beau, the cause I know not. I have not been to see either since my return, but may visit them next week, if I can find time convenity to spare. No doubt they would like to marry if they had such an offer as they might think a good one. But in that lies the danger. For perchance they might think I was anything but a good match. So I think it better for me to be contented with my situation and put up with their friendship without trying to obtain their little hearts. They are very sweet girls though. So far as looks go. And pretty smart so far as book learning and society can make them. Miss I. Is I know a most excellent hand to wash cups & saucers and such like little jobs and Miss N. understands well how to manage children, judging from the manner in which she makes her little brothers & sister track. But whither or not they would like to continue so after marriage or not is a question to be answered hereafter. Now if I could get both, it would be the very thing one to keep the house in order ? And the other to take charge of the children ? But then there might arise another difficulty. They might turn against me and set me to work to do both. And a most miserable ouf I would make at washing cups & nursing children. It would be an awful dilemma and such a life I Might be compelled to lead with two wives. This world is full of crosses and perplexities. Married or single I have the works of the Rev. Dr. Charming. I will bring them with me on my next visit to Laurens. I am sure you will be pleased with them although he is a Unitarian, he is a Christian in every sense of the word, so far as religious writing goes. Tell Brother I have not been able to see Mr. Modenre to converse with him about his affairs. He is now in Barrnel Dist. South Oar ? Likely he will be home next week. If there are districts to survey next year. I shall endeavor to get one. The country being partly settled I should not have to labour under the difficulties former surveyors underwent and to make a $1000 or $1200 in two months and examine a country I wish to see very much.(would) suit me exactly. I shall be able would out all the gold mines. A desirable practice anyone. Perhaps I might pick up gold enough for my expenses in surveying. I think it will come on by next spring the summer season I should prefer. Cotton has taken in little fall but my impression by spring when over short crop is fairly known it will be up at 15 or so cents to a certainty. I have I believe make out a tolerable long letter after all. The paper so pretty could not help writing it up. My love to all the little ones Gold Bless your affectionate son Saml S. Plummer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- University of Texas at Arlington University Libraries Special Collections Collection: Plummer Papers Location: GA10 Caption: 1830-36 Austin, Texas May 12th/ 60 (Saturday) My Dearest Love I arrived here on Wednesday last, about 3 o'clock PM. Have been overwhelmed with business a principal part of which is our church difficulty. I have not time now to explain all. Let it suffice to say that on Saturday last, the church refused to rescind the resolution passed when you were present. The vote of the male members was a tie and five women, of whom our good friend Mrs Harrell was one, voted against me. Verily you have some good friends to your husband. I called to see her last evening & took tea with her. She was very polite. Bro. Bayless is preaching here every night several additions, Mrs. Green the only one by expression we expect Mrs. Novell. She had expressed herself satisfied of her conversion. The Pastor however throws cold water on everything. I have made three attempts to get an interview with him, but failed. I have the advantage in position & spirit, & shall try to keep it. I must hasten. Received yours of 29th ?. Thank you my own sweet love. Kiss our little ones, & tell Lizzie & John Newton to be good children & I will hasten back. Write me often my best beloved for it gladdens my heart to receive anything that has touched your dear fingers. May God hasten the time when I shall be restored to the arms of my sweet, devoted wife is the constant prayer of your devoted husband D.C. Freeman ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- University of Texas at Arlington University Libraries Special Collections Collection: Plummer Papers Location: GA10 Caption: 1860 My Dearest Best Beloved Austin City Texas July 27th 1860 With my heart thrilling with sweetest love I read yours of the 16th Aust. This evening. Now my sweet wife let me entreat you not be uneasy about me. I have no intention of going among the Indians. I have nothing to take me there or any where near the scene of their dessmedatious. I am in excellent health, and after next Saturday shall be free from all business except the location of some lands & can hasten to the bosom of my beloved. Oh! Mollie, my darling one, my sweetest love, my heart bounds with ecstacy at the thought of being with my jewels again, of folding you to my bosom and having our little ones, with their hearts all full of gladness clinging to us, delightful thought. I am almost tempted to abandon everything and fly to the arms of my hearts Queen. We have had various alarms of fire within a few days past, and there is much apprehension of an outbreak of the negroes. Several towns in the Northern part of the State have been fired. Dalles was burned up almost completely & some confession were extorted from the negroes as to plots of insurrection & murder etc etc. This and several attempts here and elsewhere to burn towns, have excited a feeling of uneasiness among the people. Last night I was wakened by a confused noise & found a fire burning down town and the town in an uproar of excitement* such however was the feeling of apprehension that in our part of the town - that is - from the Capitol out towards Harney's place & Croziers, not a man stirred for an hour. In the mean time we saw the vast fire raging, the bells were ringing, the fire roaring, pistols firing and confusion entire neighing down town. G.R. & wife had gone to Sequine & I was the only white person at his place & could not leave. After an hour or more I mounted my mule & rode down & found it to be Glasscocks Mill. His loss is very great say $15000 or $20000 that together with his loss on the Lunatic Asylum will nearly ruin him. In the mean time the burning of the mill at this time is a great inconvenience to the public. There is no other mill in reach and no grass to feed oxen on the road to Lavacca and no flour or meal in the city. A subscription is being made to help him rebuild the grist mill, and I learn that he is preparing to commence immediately. He was in the insurance office only a few days ago talking of insuring his mill but thought the terms, too high. Mr. Sims & wife and Mr Ragsdale got back two days ago. I had a talk with him today. He does not seem so bitter as I expected. Rather he seemed to wish to conciliate me. But Simmons told me before Sims came back that he was as bitterly prejudiced as he could be. It was he who said that Thomas ought to have put Humphrey up to preach, to see if I would, or rather let me denounce him. Ah! The injury a fool can do when robed in ministerial garbs. * I am compelled to remain here till after the next meeting of the church. To watch Bowers. If he makes no further move in the matter. I shall ask my letter and leave a church the majority of whom are my friends, but whose leaders are narrow minded prejudiced men. There are hundreds of things I should tell you if I could see you, but which I can not commit to paper. But I hope to be with you in time for the Bourbon fair and then went we have some nice times. It reminds me of the time when you were Mollie Giltmen expecting to be courted Ah! Mollie I'm too far off for you to pull my "whick'sers" as Lizzie calls them. Bless her little heart. I wish her little hands could tug at them now. Wouldn't it please her. Cant you pull down your hair Mollie and let her take one good pull at it. Poor child she has not pulled any "whick'sers" for a long time. Cant Mama let her have just one little pull. Tell her, Papa will let her pull his "whick'sers" as much as she pleases when he gets home. Tell John Newton I shall expect him. To count a hundred for me & to spell candy, when I get back, and then well have a big romp. Mrs Simmons expects to have a - well - a catastrophe at her house soon. Bob does not go from home on that account. I have been preparing to go to Sequine all the past week, but am too busy. I am with my time as a miser with his gold & thought I am anxious to see Bro D. & family I begrudge the time. I must take a few days now before I leave and go down if it is only a day* This was commenced last night, & the first two pages written. Today there is to be a grand barbecue, and speeches etc, etc. There seems to be great confidence on the part of the Breckenridge men. The opposition are divided between Houston & Bell Houston having only a few. Breckenridge will carry this state I think by a large majority. Bu I am of the opinion this is small chance for his election by the people. I wife Douglass position to Breckenridge's though I prefer Breckenridge to any one else personally and if I have a vote shall give it to him unless something occurs to change my mind. I am glad you are going to Fathers to spend a considerable time there. Stay, Love, till I come, if you can. With fondest love I think of my own. Dear devoted Mollie, almost every hour of my waking moments and "Sleeping I dream Love, chear, Love of thee": and sweet are the thoughts of thee calling with many a happy hour, and the dear delights of home of wife & children, bring again to my heart the pleasure of their fond caresses & sweet endearments which have so often blessed me in "by gone hours" Kiss our sweet little babes for their father and with my heart brim full of fondest love for my hearts peerless Queen, my fond, devoted, faithful, wife I remain as ever your dear devoted husband ---- D.C. Freeman Jr. P.S. Love to all - a kiss to sister Lizzie - & an extra "howd'ye to Serah. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- University of Texas at Arlington University Libraries Special Collections Collection: Plummer Papers Location: GA10 Caption: 1860 My Dearest, Sweetest Love Austin City Texas July 13th 1860 At the close of one of the warmest days I ever felt in Texas, as the shades of evening deepen around one, my heart turns to my beloved, my darling wife, with fondest love. This long, long day have I toiled through, talking, talking, talking, to one and another urging, with all the impatience of feeling, and all the patience of manner of which I am capable, a settlement of my business, and meeting with those interminable delays which are unavoidable in the business of a land agent, and not taking time to eat even, faint, and weary and lonely, oh! How I long to lay my head upon your bosom, Mollie, and rest. But slowly, and steadily I am progressing, and I hope to do now, what would have taken me years to do, had I delayed it. I have not taken time to visit Bro. Duncan, and fear I shall not have time to do so, because I do not wish to delay my return one moment longer than is absolutely necessary. You know not how often I have thought of the feeling you must have at being among your friends & your husband away, and have to answer the questions concerning him so often, and how much I have wished not only for your sake, but for my own also. To spend the summer with you in Ky. But I look forward to the time when I shall be free from this abominable business & this uninviting country. You can not realize the disappointment, and dissatisfaction this season has caused in Texas. Upon the almost total failure of corn, comes* the failure of great numbers of springs, and watering places which have heretofore seemed everlasting, and the almost total extinction of grass. It is true that few men would remain here if they could get away, and hundreds are leaving everything and abandoning the country. The crops of Wheat, rye, oats, and barley are good; but so little was sown of those grains that there will be scarcely enough for seed. Thus the price is very high. Then the heat is more oppressive than ever before. We have still cool nights, and were it not for them it, would indeed be terrible. It will not be polite to repeat what I have herein said, for it might injure my prospect for selling land in Ky. I very much fear a drought in Ky. If it should happen to be dry there, and the corn crop be short, with a short wheat crop, and that extend over the west, what a time we should have in Texas! In one of your former letters you spoke of my intentions for the future. My purpose is, as it has always been, to settle you comfortably in some place which would be agreeable to us, and healthful. I can not hope to get a more healthful place than Texas. I do not like Austin, nor do I fancy the country round about it, not yet any place so dry as it is. I always thought, until within a year or two past, that by going to the country we could have, poultry, milk, & vegetables in abundance, and that we could thus live well, and at comparatively little cost, & raise cattle, & horses. Hence I wished to go on a ranch. I never had the idea of going into such establishments as are usually formed here on ranches. I intended to be fixed comfortably, & you have an idea of my notion of comfort. But gradually that dream has been dispelled during the* past years, as drought succeeded drought, and each years experience to the necessary preparations for comfort, until I found that what would settle me comfortably, according to the made I thought, & still think indespensably necessary for tolerable living in this country, would support my family in princely style in a society much more refined than this, and in a community where morals are much more settled. For it is useless to deceive ourselves, there is no concealing the fact. That the refinement here is merely comparative, and is tolerable only because it is not absolutely rude, & because it is better than we expect "in a new country". Thus then it is my intention never to return to Texas permanently, except compelled on account of health. If New Orleans agree with us, as I hope it will, I shall remain there as long as it may be agreeable to you. I have, at several points in Texas, a fortune in lands if, occupied by myself, and managed to advantage. But I would not live on them, or either of them, and undergo the necessary privatious for all that could be hoped from them. ‘The time has been, in my life, when if I had no wife, children, I would have taken up any abode on any one of the places, & become the nabob of that community. ‘But I now shrink from the thought of the life I should have to lead, and when wife & children are considered, the thought is not to be entertained at all. I rather like it that you have not mentioned my intention of going to New Orleans. But still I don't know that it would be necessary to avoid speaking of the ability of our going there, & of my determination not to return to Texas.--- I discontinued this last nigh, & am now finishing after the most disagreeable nigh. I think, I ever felt in Texas. We had no breeze in the house, & very little out of it. Your of July 1st came, yesterday, bringing words of love from my darling wife.* and joy and gladness to the heart of him, who loves her oh! So dearly. Your letters, my sweet one, are the only real pleasure I have left now, and I watch each week for the return of the feast with joyous anticipation, and when read & reread long for the time to pass that shall bring another. ‘God bless you, my heart peerless innocent! "Would I were with thee." send my poor little cross eyed baby has "two sore eyes." bless her little heart. I could nearly squeeze her to death if she were here. Tell her, Pa will make hast home, I have her eyes cured and her neck too. And my boy! Bless his noble heart! Let him go Mama as much as he wishes, with Grand Pa, & tell him to be a good boy & learn to spell for Papa by the time he gets back. I send you a printed circular of the church action in the case of Humphries & me. You will see what was done, and how fully I am vindicated. The church would have had them? , had I wished it. I prefer sending them myself to the different points. But I must hasten. Many kind words are said about you & kind messages sent from various friends. Old sister Clarke sends her love. Capt & Mrs Boulding and Lilla, and Mrs Terrell who still lingers, all send kind words. For their sakes I wish you could have been here during her sickness. She has however many very kind friends. You have never told me what was done with the Stemmons suit. Remember me to all the family. And with many and fond endearments from him, who loved you best of all earthly things, and with the assurance that I shall hasten to the bosom of my Queen, I remain as ever your own dear devoted husband, D.C. Freeman Jr. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- University of Texas at Arlington University Libraries Special Collections Collection: Plummer Papers Location: GA10 Caption: 1860 Dear Mother Houston 28th Nov. 1835 Enclosed I send you two hundred dollars for fear I may be detained longer than I wish or expect. I think I shall get off next boat. Just heard from Brother he is well & will be engaged some time yet in locating lands & then will visit this place. Congress is busy in making permanent defense for the frontier and will make such arrangement as will relieve the ??? from her present pecuniary embarrassment. In a few months after Lamar's inauguration I confidently look forward to better times. I wrote you a few days since and this letter I trust will meet the other in Tuscumbia safely. You will of course dispose of the money as you think proper. Give love to all the children. God Bless you all. As ever your affectionate son, Sam'l A. Plummer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- University of Texas at Arlington University Libraries Special Collections Collection: Plummer Papers Location: GA10 Caption: 1837-1839 Mrs. Mary Plummer Dublin, Laurens City Post mark Dec 18 Dear Mother Augusta, Dec. 18th 1835 As I shall not be able to come out to see you on Christmas. I thought it better to inform you of it, for fear of some uneasiness on your part. I am in fine health. The prospect of those engaged in our profession is fast increasing. During this year there has been Eight Lawyers either died or moved away or quit the profession So that in case there should be much business during there will be fewer to share it. It is however dull at present. We have nothing new, only the river is again steam bathable. None of the girls are yet married that are worth having. There will be many very handsome young girls this winter just turned out. Ready for courting & marrying to be bought by the highest bidders and as I can offer but a poor price for a wife. I must expect when I marry to get a sorry sort of a wife. I know not exactly when I shall be able to visit Lauren; after the City Court. I am your affectionate son Samuel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Pa Lagrange College Ala Jan 16th 1836 I received your letter this morning and was very glad to hear that Mr Pain had spoken so well of me. I was at Tuscumbia Christmas and saw my sisters and brother they were well and said they wanted to see you they have vacation now on account of the house being burnt down as I expect you have heard. Sister Julia is well but does not grow much. Sophia is tolerable but has some sores on her face and hands Joseph is well and asks for you he grows very fast. Mr. Richardson and all are well. I wrote to uncle Elton the other day. My studies are going on very well they are Latin. Reading beasar the second book and geography and arithmetic. I have not studied much last session but will try to make up for it this session. Mr. Kennedy and all of his family are well and have gone to keeping private house. I believe all your friends are well. I have nothing of importance to tell you but what Mr. Pain has told you off. Give my love to Mr and Mrs Cooper and all of my acquaintances when you write to Mr Cooper and tell all the negroes that I am well and hearty and all of my acquaintances in Natchez. Mr Elliott sends his respects to you. I have gone in debt very much but shall try to keep out hereafter. Write often and I shall take pleasure in answering them Your affectionate Son F. W. Plummer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Mother I returned here yesterday from Matagorda & Velasco in pretty good health and found Samuel here as fat as a bear we leave here in a few days again for Live oak point or as it is now called the City of aransasa, from a very recent but not thorough survey of the Bar at the entrance we have found 12 hold full water if on a thorough and correct survey we find that depth of water we may safely say we are rich if a town site of as many other local advantages as it professes in the center of a most lovely and rich county can be a fortune with only 8 feet at most was considered so valuable 12 to 15 must make it more so, I am most busily engaged in forming my land claims and after they are located will visit you in the mean time I am building or preparing to build a house and will bring you to the city say by spring if possible I got a letter from Mr. Kennedy a few days since who informed me you were living with him. I know they will attend your wants & wishes and if money is wanted call on Merrele Saml is much pleased with his lands we are now trying to get independent in a short time and hope to settle once more continently and in ease therefore content yourself to live a short time longer away from us that we may enable you to enjoy after but a short time the balance of our lives in comfort and on the bank of the gulf all the luxuries of the south* my sufferings have been great this fall and but for the kindness of friends must have died but at every turn goodness and mercy attends me I now feel again in health and must adore the hand that chastised me but brot me to enjoy again the sweets of health any sickness has thrown me back in my operations and kept me from doing business which I have now to do an consequently detains me from you and dear little children but nothing shall be wanting to hasten the meeting on my part as far as constant industry and application will effect but ??? and unforseen accidents may again retard my movements as my business cannot be done by agents. My respects to friends keep the dear little ones and my God give us health times may our meeting be soon as the wish and prayer of your affectionate son Joseph Elton 9 Feb Houston I am with Saml just starting west in good health each of us ---------------------------------------