near Jack son Jan 13 1861
Dear sister
I have been loking for aletter
a long time but I was
gratified by pa bringing me
one last night We are
going to clear up the new
ground between colonel Jones
and the lot pa says he is
going plowing as soon as it gets
dry enough I spent the christ
mas well I had as many fire
crackers as I wanted. I took
dinner at aunt sues We
had a fine bwol of
coustard and other nice dishes
halsey come [??] home with
me and we had a fine
time We went to the [sites?]
and saw two old ducks in
the halsey shot at them
and the old fellow [????]
[page 2]
that he could not hodley
rise and as he rose he
recieved a [???] from me
and halsey Which made
the old fellow wish him
self safe. cousin James morriss
says you most write to him
so I must close my letter
much love to you
W H Hobbs

Jackson Mi Jan 15th 1861
my Dear Eudora
As William has not
filled his sheet I will add
to his letter. We are all well
& goin on about as susual
We have no news of special
Interest. I suppose you will
have recd the news of the
Secession of mi. from the Union
We are now an Independant
[page 3]
Republic. We are all now in
a statement of uncertianty
We have rumours of wars &
are in daily expectation
of some declaration by
the late Federal Authorities
but we are determined
not to submit to Lincoln’s
Administration on any terms
our convention passed her
ordinance of Secession on
the 9th Inst by a vote of 83
to 15 So that you & I are now
in seperate Governments
I hope however that NC
will soon be with us
our Leis lature & convention
are both now in session
& Jackson is crowded with
members of the Bodies
You will see by the Papers
What they are doing better
[page 4]
than I can write.
All your friends here are
Well & going on about
as usual. I will write
you again soon I have
not hear from Va yet
I wrote to your Grand Pa
a few days ago. Good bye for
the Present Very tryly
yr Father
Miss M E Hobbs H Hobbs
Salem N Ca