Texas, Smith County, History, Letter to Wilkins J. Harper from James 
Willcoxon, 30 January 1861

Copyright Anne and Tilmon Chamlee. This copy contributed for use in
the USGenWeb Archives. chamlee@accucomm.net 

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Starrville, Smith County, Texas, 30 Jan 1861

To Wilkins J. Harper

My Dear Cousin, I have been thinking for a long while that I would respond to 
yur kind epistle of December last, but I have been so very busy, I have not had 
time to write to any of my relatives.  My business has been of such an nature 
that it requires all of my attention.  I commensed to bild me a office last 
November and I have just had it completed and have moved into it &c.

Cousin Wilkins I am happy to say that we are all highly pleased with Texas.  It 
is true we have had some pretty hard times since we have been here, but time 
here at this times is a little better than I anticipated they could be.  Corn 
can be had at $1.50 one dollar and a half per bushel.  Pork plenty at 4 to 5 
cts.  Texas is undobtly the greatest country I ever lived in.  the mast this 
year or rather last year was suffiscient to fatten all the hogs in the country 
without feeding one grain of corn to them.  Pop killed as fine hogs out of the 
woods this winter as I ever saw him kill in Georgia where he had to fatten them 
on corn &c.

Mr. John Graybill and lady was very much put out with Texas until just recently 
and now they are beginning to like very much.  The Graybills has a very fine 
farm.  I think as fine as any man in his vicinity.  his plantation is lying (?) 
two (?) miles west of old Henry Sanfords plantation.

Cousin William F. Bass reached home safe and sound and he is highly delighted 
with this country.  Fraly is teeching school in Starrville.  He is assisting a 
gentleman by the name of Baxter and they have a very large school.

Cousin Benjamine Bass is farming alone this year.  he is living about eight 
miles from Uncle Ingram, and about the same distance from this place.  Pop has 
moved to Starrville so he can send his children to school to Brother Levi.  he 
is teeching here again this year and he has a very fine school indeed.  He has 
Cousin Sallie McGilvary assisting him in his school.  Tell Uncle Wyatt that 
Grandma makes Uncle Ingram her home and that she is very well and as much 
pleased with the country as any one living here.

Tell Uncle Wyatt that I wrote to him and Aunt Ruthy long since and that I am 
anxious waiting a response to my letter.

Cousin Fraly told us that the most of our friends and relatives in old Hancock 
think that we are not pleased with Texas.  this is all a mystike for we would 
not be back there to make that our home for a great deal.

I am sure for this is a much easier country to live in than middle Georgia.  if 
the people of Texas only had railroad facilities like you have in Georgia it 
would in my immiaganation be the greatest country extant.

Cousin as regards society in eastin Texas it cant be surpassed easily.  I need 
not write you this for you have been here and have seen for your self &c.

Cousin Tully Choice is teeching School this year again at the same place where 
he taught last year.

Cousin I know of nothing further to write you at this time only there is a great 
deal of excitement here about the secession of the Southern States.  I have 
heard that your State has Seceeded and Texas will in a few days &c.

I must close by saying to you that this letter leaves me and remainder of our 
family well and the remainder of our connections so far as I have learned and 
they all join me in love to you all.  Write to me soon and let me here all the 
news you have write what has become of my dogs &c

Nothing moor but remain as ever your affectionate Cousin

Excuse all mystakes as I am in a great hury.

                                  James Willcoxon

                                  To His cousin W. J. Harper
                                  Island Creek
                                  Hancock Co. Georgia