Randolph County, WV - Letter from Samantha J. McCANN to S. N. McCANN - 1883 ************************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Copyright 1998 by Dorothy McCann-Phillips Dodie70 @aol.com ************************************************************************** This letter was written to Samuel N. McCANN on June 4, 1883, from his sister, Samantha Jane McCANN. Samuel and Samantha's parents were Squire Bosworth McCANN and Roxanne GOULD McCann. At this time the family was located at "Indian Camp", Upshur County. At the time of this letter to Samuel N. McCANN, he was in India as a Missionary with the Brethern Church. Samantha was born 4 March 1861 in Buckhannon, Upshur Co. W. Va. She had married Henry Withers POWERS 28 Dec. 1884 in Upshur Co. W. Va. The children of Samantha and Henry POWERS were Otha L., born Nov 14, 1885 - Elmer S. born Sep 3, 1887 - Lesta born Jul l 4, 1889, died 1907 - Nellie M. born Aug 6, 1891 - Flora G. born Sep 3, 1894. Samantha and Henry POWERS were later located at ELKINS, RANDOLPH Co., W. Va. The letter follows: Dear Brother: Yours of the 23rd received some time ago, we would have answered sooner, but were expecting to hear from you. I suppose you are waiting to hear from us, or have those pictures scared you so you cannot write. We are all well at this time, but sorry to hear that you want to stay another year. We are all willing for you to do as you think best. We are planting corn for this spring and have commenced howing it. People are generally done planting in this neighborhood. Although we had plenty of snow on the 23rd of May, it melted about as fast as it fell. William went down to Lewis County and canvassed about a week, then came home. He sold a right smart, but there had been a man in there canvassing, and had been all over the best part the country. So William will stay home this summer. Papa sold Sally to O.F. HODGES for 128 dollars, and has bought a 3 year old, for 100 dollars of a man by the name of HELMICK. She is an iron gray color. You aought to come home to see Davey's pet, he has a little groundhog. Bro. Hink PHARES has gone to Webster County to put out a crop. They are talking of moving there soon. Vick BOSELY is teaching summere school for the little folks down at Laurel Fork. Uncle John WYATT has not bought any land yet, he has rented POWERS corn ground this summer. Him and aunt Manerva GOULD don't get along very well. Mr. POWERS is going to Arkansas this summer. Dunk PRINGLE, DOW CUTRIGHT and several others are goung too, or at least they say they are. You wanted a lock of our hair....William J's is so short that you can't tell much about it. You must look at them untill your eyes are sore. Yours Truly Samantha J McCann Continued on this letter was a short note from Samuel's mother Roxanne Gould McCann. and it follows: (original spelling) Dear Son: It has been a long time since I tride to rite but I will try to say a few words. I was in town a bout half a day and I was glad to get away. I do not expect that we would no you if you would come home now, for you have been a town Genteal Man till I hardly expect it wont be Sam eny more but I think that when you get back home and stay a while it will appear like home, and Sam to. I do not know how often I have been asked when you was coming home. We would all be glad to see you but if you see fit to stay we will half to wait another year. When we get the Primitive we look for your naim the first thing. We will have a good memry after if nothing happens then. Love, Mother (Note: the "Primitive" is the Brethern Church newspaper) Dorothy McCann-Phillips