Two Clements Letters, 1844 - Fluvanna Co. VA The following letter was mailed at Winnesville, Virginia on 2 Dec. 1844. It is address to Mr. Richard Manley, Marion PO, Marion Co., Ohio. The writers were sister-in-law and brother of Mrs. Richard Manley (Mecha Clements) married 23 Dec. 1817 in Fluvanna Co., Virginia. The father referred to is Charles Clements and Emily (Manly) was the wife of Albert Thomason, (married 14 Dec 1837) Sally is Sarah Manley Patrick, the daughter named after her was Martha Jane Patrick. Ransom and Zach believed to be the sons of Charles Clements and Sarah Kidd. Fluvanna Co., December 2, 1844 Dear Sister (Mecha Clements Manley), Your long looked for and welcome letter came safe to hand on the 21st of last month which found us all well. We are sorry to hear you all have so much sickness in your family but you have been greatly blest not to loos any of them. I am sorry to hear of little Charley's affliction. It is most distressing than to have his mouth cut open. We have had more sickness in the county and neighborhood this year than for a long time and a great many deaths. A great many of your acquaintances are dead. It would be too [numerous] to mention their names. However I will mention a few; old uncle Mat Seay and his now Tarlton died not long since and Mrs. Lille a few weeks ago and old cousin Ben Seay has lost 3 of his grown children this year, two of them left 2 children each. This is not a beginning but you have been gone so long that you would not recollect the young people it I was to write their names. Our family has been blest so far. None of us has been sick yet. Father (Charles Clements) says I must tell you that he is an well at he has been for 20 years and I think he looks as young as he did the first day I ever saw him. We would have been the gladest of all things if you all had come to see us this fall. We were looking for you when we got the letter. I want to see you and all the children very bad indeed. I recon I should hardly now some of them. Tell Emily she has been very industrious. She has as many children as I have. My youngest will be 3 years old the 8 of April. His name is Charles Catette and a smart fellow he is. Tell Sally I did not think she thought enough of me to name her daughter after me. I should be so glad to see it. Give my best love to Ransom and Zach and tell them I should like to see children very much. I recon they think they are something extra. Tell Ransom to name his son Columbus Washington after 2 of the greatest men that ever lived. I suppose you heard that James Baltimore was married. He has a son, his name is James K. Polk. You wanted to know whether old sister Jane was alive or not. She has been dead about 3 years and Betsy is living with old Mr. Ben Anderson. Old sister Judy Jane is as well as common. June Winn and Francis is both dead. My sister's husband was killed by one of his own negroes last fall for which he was hung in a few weeks after. My sister has 4 children. She is doing very well. Mr. Holman Bashaw was married 2 or 3 years ago (married to Mrs.Elizabeth Bramham, 13 Dec 1840) to the widow Bramham (Elizabeth Lowden) and she makes a fine mother for his children. Susan Jane (Payne) was married about 3 years ago to Mr. Jerry (Jeremiah) Cleveland ( married 13 Apr 1841). He had nine children and Susan had 3 which makes a around dozen. Dr. Walman? Has been married 4 or 5 years. He has 2 children. He married a Miss Sorogs? In Buckingham. I believe I have written all that I can think of at present. Father, Mr. Clements and myself had our likeness last summer and father is so much like him that we all concluded to send it to you. I know you will say it is him directly you see it. He also sends a lock of his hair for you to look at. You all must come to see us next fall. Give my best love and compliments to Mr. Manly and all the children and tell them I should be glad to get a letter from any of them. You must answer my letter shortly. So farewell for the present, Martha Jane Clements. Richard Manley, Dear Sir, Martha has written all the news above tho I will something about the times with us. As to money matters they are hard with us tho we have very good crops. Corn can be bought for 2 dollars per barrel, flour is about $4.50, pork, I do not know what that will bring as there has none passed this road but I suppose about $5.50 per hundred. I understand that Milton at Louisa Courthouse some weeks ago bought a drove at $10 per hundred payable when James K. Polk was elected and then sold it for the same payable when Henry Clay was elected so he did not make much by speculation that time, so much for that. You said something about Albert's going to see Ransom to settle that money he owned me with him. He need not go. John G. Hughes took the bankrupt law and was sold out and there is no getting anything out of him so I suppose Ransom will loose that money. When you and Albert gets that money you can send it to me. If you send it by letter get Virginia money and cut the note in two and send half in one letter and the other half in another letter. Just lay it right in straight and let nobody know you have put it in. The amount is now about fifty four dollars I shall be glad if you send it soon as you can get the money as I am pushed to money. Oh you cannot tell how glad I should be to see you all. Richard you and Mecha must try and come and see us. Give my love to all your children and friends and Zachariah and tell him I should be glad to see him. So I must close by giving you all my best wishes. Harris K. Clements. NOTE: 1850 census Harris K. Clements, 52; farmer; Martha J., 32; Sarah, 14; Mary, 8; Charles Catlett, 8; Edmonia, 7; Martha J., 5; John, 22 (son by 1st wife, Sarah Sneed.) 222-223: Benjamin Anderson Sr., 73; Elizabeth, 65; George L. 24, Physician; Eliza J., 18; Elizabeth Payne, 35. This letter was provided by Randa Tyrrell, 3201 Echeta Rd., Lot 129; Gillette, Wyoming 82716-3135 Originally submitted to the Fluvanna County VAGenWeb page. Many thanks to Lee & Michele for providing a copy for the Archives Project. **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************