[John Lonon was born ca. 1799 in Halifax County, NC. His son, William W. Lonon (b. ca. 1839), served as a private in Co. D, 25th NC Inf.]

April the 21st day 1863
North carolina cherokee county
hon Z. B. vance dier sir I dont wish to
Be troublesom my situation compels me
to try for help I sent a pertion to you [petition]
some time a go with severl subscribers
to it stateing my condition & it is now
wors one of my legs has inflamd & sweld
& pains me so I hant walkt in severl
days nor no likely hood of it I dont no
whether you got my pirtion or not
I have my sons & son in’ laws wives Both
with yong Babys narry one able to do much
& my wife 64 years of age my self 65
& no help I live on the head of valley
River whar thare is no thing made to sell
& if thare was I have no chance to git even
if I had money which I have none what my
son sent home I had to send Back to him to
live on he hant Ben wel sence the fight at
Rich mond & could not Eat such as he Drawd
has left us with out money we could git
some things we nead for work But I ant
able & thare is no one to hire at all
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Now you have the power to Releave our
destresses By Releasing or Dis Chargeing my
Son Wm W Lonon or Even on a furlow
to come home & help make a crop one out
of the army wont Be much & with out help
we ar compeld to suffer I hope you will
have a feeling for the woman & infants
& aged my son is in the 25 Ridgment
C.o D. capt tathams co Ransoms Brigade
I leave it now with your goodness
Every thin is so high a common man cant
Reach it for work it can Be had on ----
Beter turms
May the lord Bles & Save our county
John Lonon
hon S.B.vance governor of N C