Accomack-Prince George County Virginia USGenWeb Archives History - Letters .....Personal Letter Of James Polk, Grandson Of Capt. Wm Polk/Sabra Bradford Of Accomack Co., VA January 1, 1872 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Becki Pavlik beckiblair@hotmail.com December 23, 2008, 9:40 am Memphis, Clinton Co., OH Jan. 1, 1872 Dear Cousin, Sally Polk Weaver, I remember 1834 and 1836 when I visited the Eastern Shore of Va. where you claim a native home. I remember you with affectionate and kind regards, and will be happy to correspond with you by letter. And would be more happy to see and converse with you a long time. I wish to know your condition in life and other matters about you. And also other Eastern Shore friends. In 1841 I was married to Maranda Bentley. She became the Mother of one son in 1841, Liberty Bently Polk. He was married to Louisa Bowman on the 26th Jan'y 1870 (a Dressmaker by trade). A very prudent saving little woman. He is an ornamental advertizer for merchants and others of various cities in many states. She travels with him. No prospects of heirs yet. We had a daughter born 7th Jan. 1855. She is healthy and handsome and is now going to school. I and wife and daughter are my family when son and wife are gone. I have had many misfortunes in life. Bad men, water and fire have broke me up twice. But goose-like, I expect to feather again soon. I will be 62 on the 11th of Jan. 1872. Can today with one hand, grab a man by the leg below the knee and set him on a horse 5 ft. 8 inches high (if the man weighs two hundred pounds) while I hold the horse with my left hand. Since this last new year's day I have made with my own hands and sold more than five hundred dollars worth of work. And done $100 for us besides that making pumps to raise water from wells. Raising huge buildings, mills, etc. with my blocks, ropes, etc. I am a Boss at that. We have recovered from our break-up so much as to have bot at $200.00 per acre a beautiful (small) lot of land (a few acres) on the Preb. Turnpike between Sabina and Lexington. In fact, we have Pike from our door to Cincinnati, Columbus and everywhere. I have planted more than 100 fruit trees last spring and expect to plant many more and grape vines this spring. A well 10 1/2 ft. deep furnishes more water than we need. White oak stumps 7 feet across, soil good, view handsome. Our country is so desirable that there are no vacant houses at all. Land here rates when sold at from $50 to $300 per acre according to situation and improvement. The tax now is higher than the cost of the land was 40 years ago. This year prices are as follows here: Fat hogs live weight $4.25 corn .35 per bushel wheat $1.05 oats .37 American called Irish potatoes per bushel .75 turnips per bushel .50 sweet potatoes less than one dollar Hay per tunn $12.00 fodder per shock in field (144 hills 3 stalks to the hill, sometimes 5) 10 cents Crops per average per acre born according to season from 40 to 60 bushels, oats from 25 to 60 bushels Wheat (ground too rich) from 7 to 30 bushels Irish potatoes from one to 3.00 bushel sometimes more Hay from one tunn to 3 per acre And I am informed Uncle Sam gives as good or better lands to the actual settler in the western states. My father died in 1834, 50 years old. My mother died 29th May 1869 in her 93rd year of age. She was born 23 Oct'r 1776. Nathaniel Polk lives at Philmore, Andrew Co. Mo. Wm. H. lives near Reeceville, this county. Robert lives near Muncie, Ind. Sister, Martha Ann Bloom McConnell lives in Muncie City, Delaware Co., Ind. After you reply I may tell you such further particulars as you may wish. I want news of my friends in your country. I send love to them. My dear cousin, Sally Polk Weaver, Accept the Kind regards of your Affectionate cousin, James Polk P.S. What has become of Sary P. Waples? Direct to James Polk Memphis, Clinton Co., Ohio Additional Comments: Author of letter was James Polk (husband of Maranda Bentley), son of William Polk and Hannah Hobson of Clinton Co., OH and grandson of Capt. William Polk and Sabra Bradford of Accomack Co., VA. Letter was written to his 1st cousin, Sally Polk nee Wescott Weaver, living in St. George's Parish, Accomack Co. VA at the date of the letter in 1872. Sally Polk Weaver Wescott was the wife of a retired attorney, James C. Weaver, and the daughter of Sally Polk (dau. of Capt William Polk and Sabra Bradford) and Thomas Sturgis of Accomack Co., VA. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/accomack/history/letters/personal323gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb