Overton Letter, 17 Aug 1859, Smith Co, TX - Maury Co, TN

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Permission has been granted from Howard Bramlette of Nashville, TN,
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19 September 2000
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LETTER FROM E.C. OVERTON TO JOHN F. OVERTON IN TEXAS

Columbia, Tennessee
August 17, 1859

Colonel John F. Overton,
Troup Post Office, Texas

Dear Brother,

After respects, will inform you that I have had a very sick family, my 
wife, daughter and Old Chainy have had the fever but are all improving.  
I am not as well as I would like to be. 

You will find enclosed account that mother made with the Satterfield 
and Alexander and one that she made with Dale and Larkins and also one 
I made at her request with B.H. Calder as her agent for the head and 
foot stones for our little sisters.  The notes I held against her was 
for $5.40 for articles that she bought at the sale, which note I sent 
in a letter to you and Jesse.  I entered a credit of $1 on it, which 
was for the horse Charley I told her before the sale that she should 
have the horse and that I would pay for him - but forgot to leave that 
amount out of the note.  I think you were her security; consequently, 
I entered the credit on the note. 

I want you to attend to all business that I have in the settlement of 
Mother’s estate.  Assign all papers for me that is necessary for me 
to assign. So you will know from this letter that you are authorized 
to act for me in the settlement of the estate. 

I will say to you that if Robert cannot pay these accounts, you will 
please send them back to me this soon as you ascertain the fact. 

You can inform Robert that mother’s note she gave for those Negroes 
is in the hands of the clerk of the Chancery Court and will have to be 
paid off in some way.  You can inform all the heirs that it is my 
intention to wind it up my father's estate in March next.  I hope I 
shall be prepared to do so and if I have any money to spare, I want to 
pay you some on the note of  $3,700 I gave you for your interest in 
the land as it is my wish to pay you as fast as I can get the money.  
It may be that I can pay the most of it off before 1861 and it may 
not.  Inform me in your next whether it would suit you to receive it 
as I can spare it.  You also will allow me six percent or drop the 
interest on the amount I pay you at 6%. 

I have made a light crop of corn and will have to buy it at $3 or $4 
per bushel.  I will make no money.  I have taken my mules off (about 
ten mules) from home to fatten them.  I gave $5 per month to feed them 
and I will take them and sell them this winter.  I will inform you 
that Peggy has refused to pay any part of the expense of Father’s 
Burying Clothes and for the head and foot stones that were placed at 
the head of our sister’s graves. 

I think I know Colonel Joseph McKay and it may be that he will know 
me before long. 

We have elected a Democratic governor and legislature yet have lost 
some few members to a runoff.  The opposition in Tennessee I am 
persuaded are now ready to follow John Bell or any other Southern 
leader into the ranks of the Black Republicans on any wherever else - 
just so they can beat the democracy. 

Yet it may be that such a cause might make some few of them hesitate. 

Your Brother,
E.C. Overton     

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