December the 11th 1863
My Dear John: I againe seat my self to drop you a
few lines in responding to yours of the 9th inst
wich came duely to hand I am more then gratified
to learn of you extreeme good health which you
now enjoy I would be happy to see them rosy chee
ks of yours. I hope they may continue to improve if
so I dont no whether I would no you when you come
home. but I will risk the consequences at [ak howardes?]
I must tell you to keep clare of the itch for I
no as sure as you get it I take it from you if
should be so lucky as to see you soon as I expe
ect and I wouldent have the thing on [us?] consid
eration whatever at this time. it is thick all
around us aspecially in the Island every thing
has got it. so I hope you may not get it atall
Dear John I an sisy is well at this time. also the
rest of the family are well Ann she is mending
slowly. My dear John you can tell C. A.
Jefcoat that old fanny his mare look mutch better
in order now than when he brought her heare so
she is improving smartly picture look fine.
your Father is about seelling old mag to W[??]
Harley for 7.00 hundred dollars
[page 2]
Horses are getting as scarce almost as men in
our neighbourhood. Dear John I your cows look gener
ally poore. Old Mary she look like she wont be able to
stand the winter without plenty food to eat which
I have not got anothe one of your hogs have died
the white barrow. the negroes say he eat to mutch
potatoes so we have not got many left for winter meat
Dear John I did not get anny of my wheat seed
planted so I have sent it to Henry Livingston
mill to be ground in flour. and if you dont care
I will sell it I can git 30 cts a pound for it cash
at home. an If I should send it to columbia maby
I could get more I dont no what flour sells at there
I have sold the shoes you give me I got twelve
half dollars for them. so I will have to spend that
to get my cloth woven as have bin so longe about
getting it ready I cant weave my self now. so I will
have to hiere some one to weave it for me rite away
I will try to have you two pare of socks knit till you
get home. I am going to save some eggs for you to
make egg nog. recolect it is only two weeaks from to
day till christmass if your company is not organised
till them you must run away anny how so do not disapoint
sisy sends houdy to you an ses tell sugar darlin
she will save him a dram till he comes home
my love to you take care of yourself till I see you [kj?] for his pre[??]
[??] Jefcoat