[Neither Peggey nor Hager Watkins appear in the 1860 Census, and other than the fact that they were females who could not read or write, who they were and what relationship they may have had with James Watkins is unknown. However, the 1870 Census records that James and Francis “Wadkins” had a female African-American neighbor named “Hager Wadkins.” In 1860, James Watkins owned no real estate, and his personal property amounted to $300, so he was clearly not a slave-owner, but he did have some Watkins neighbors, perhaps relatives, who were much better-off and who may have owned slaves.]

gorgia franklin this July 3 1864
County
der ferand i seat my Self
to rit you afew lines to let
you know that We are all
Well at thi time I hope thes few
lines Will Come safe to hand
and find you Well and a do
doing Well I hav not much
to rite at this time ony hard
times and W I afraid Wars a
Coming you famly Was Well
all the last I herd frome them
Jim the rest has all
Come home and I Want you to
Come to We are a getting along
With our Crops vey Well at
present and corn looks vay
Well consiern as rain as We
had and you hav got the
[page 2]
best Crop that i have seen
eny Wher yet this year
Jim peggey ses that she is
Well fat and sasey and not
married yet tell uncle jim and
uncl henry to rit to
us and exsept the same for you
Self hager ses that if she
Cold mak pase by praying
she Wold pray from now tell
sunday Wake I Cant tell
non of you how sorrow i ame
non of you Cant be at home
So I must Come to a Close fro
this time
peggey and hager Watkins
to Jime Watkins