December 16th 1863
My dear son,
I now seat my self
to answer you kind letter of the
10th which come to hand yesterday
your Papa got one last saturday
by Mr Cobin written since
that it don us all a great
deal of good to get letters from
you and hear that you are
wel I always answer every
one I get by the next mail
we are all wel but Sally
she is still poorly I hope not
dangerous her Willie is almost
well there is not much sickness
about here Sarah is sick to
I thought the first of the week
She had the Scarlet fever
but I am in hopes it is not
[page 2]
Mr H Comptons children has
all got it Dr Woods told me
last monday that he thought
the baby was bound to die
his baby got burned very bad
a few days ago they dont think
it wil get wel wel John I
do hope you wil not have
to go to Virginia I have had
childre enough went there but
go where you wil if you get
sick I want you to let me know
I wil come to see you I have as
much sowing and weaving as
I can do I get 8 dollars for ma
king a coat and a dollar ayard
for weaving jeans I am savinng
all to come and see you you ought
to kept your money I am afraid you
will need it but if you do you
can send for it
[page 3]
Jordan is going to leave in about
two weeks for Columia SC
Willie and Laura is going to
Mr Hintons Bob is talking of
coming home a christmas if
he can get some body to drive
the wagon for him Laura is
going to get Mr Hinton to
send him a driver your uncle
John is gone to South carolina to see
about geting corn when he comes
back he is going to see you all David
brought some apples here to send to you
I must come to a close as Martha is
going to the post ofice Laura and
Mary says you must write to them
Martha and Lize send their
love to you write every oppirtunity
may the Lord protect and defend you
[page 4]
from all harm is the prayer
of your unwortha mother
Alvira B Taylor