Tyler Co. Tx & Early Co. GA - Collier Family Letter, 6 Dec 1857

Submitted by Barbara Yancey Dore  rootslady@msn.com

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                      Collier Family Letter 
                                 6 Dec 1857
                                      
                                                      Austin 6th DEC 1857
                                                                         
   My Dear One,
   
   I am yet living and well except a very sore eye. I don't know that I
   shall see how to write you a letter, but I am due you one to day and
   shall send an envelope and sheet of paper whether I can write or not.
   
   Yours of the 15th NOV came to hand yesterday morning and I regret to
   hear that you had such bad luck with the sugar cane. I am astonished
   to hear that Marshburn should attach any blame to me because the mill
   does not perform well, for I had no hand in its construction except to
   give the length of the rollers, which could not effect its grinding.
   
   You have let him have all the syrup that I promised him, and I expect
   him to mend the mill, but have not heard whether he did, or whether
   Bros. Joseph & Thomas mended it.
   
   I received a letter yesterday from Brother Benjamin, informing me of
   the death of Irwin Bird and D.J. Davis. He was elected Representative
   of Early County and was taken sick the same night that the Legislature
   organized and died on the 12th day of NOV. Bro. Ben had him put in a
   metalic case and carried him home to his family who had not even heard
   that he was sick till he reached home.
   
   Bro. Ben writes me that it was the most sad, melancholy and affecting
   scene he ever witnessed in his life.
   
   Bro. Bird, Davis, Reynolds (a man that was overseeing on J.J.Taylors
   place) and three negroes belonging to Col. Perry all died on the same
   day. There is a great deal of sickness and many deaths in old Early.
   
   I can get a letter from Ben much quicker than from home. His was
   mailed at Milledgeville on the 24th NOV and reached here on the 4th
   DEC.
   
   I know you begin to want to know what we are doing here and when we
   will be through & so on. I can only say we are doing next thing to
   nothing while there is a great deal to do and if we continue at this
   rate, there is no telling when we shall adjourn.
   
   I am frequently provoked at he conduct of members, who act like they
   wish to keep us here all next year, but we that would want to proceed,
   are unable to help ourselves.
   
   You need not be astonished if I should leave here before the
   Legislature adjourned, if I can feel myself justified in so doing.
   
   None of my people or neighbors have written me a word except you and
   some of the Woodville people.
   
   I should be glad to get several letters every week, for any leisure
   moments here are very lonesome ones. Write to me every week when able
   to do so, and when you can not, have Wm., Charles or Bro. Joseph to
   write and keep me from despair.
   
   I will write to some of them this week if my eye gets better. Tell
   Brother Joseph that Crosby has issued the Patent to Keith and for Wm.
   Hooks not to send a transfer from Keith to him, as the patent is
   already issued. Patents have been issued for Ben, Joseph, Sister,
   Torrence, Spurlock, others, but the Clerk has not reported the
   certificates of Wm. R. Ratcliff and Wm. Phillips, and they can not get
   patents till I get a report from Parsons, for which I have written.
   
   Hoping this may find you all well and that God may take you safe
   through your troubles and suffering, and permit us to meet in health
   and happiness.
   
                                       I remain your affectionate Husband
                                                         James G. Collier
                                                                         
   {note in margin}
   
   Your letter of the 1st NOV has not reached here yet.
   
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   (In possession of Barbara Yancey Dore, Nederland, Tx)