Harles Store. Duplin County .NC. Dec .1.1864
Dear Sister
I will write you a few lines to let you know
how I am geting along you may know how
that is these hard times I have worked
harder latley than I ever have in my
life and I expect too the rest of my days
I weave in the day and I Spin at night I
have to do any way time to get along
Amos is gone and I expect he will stay
the winter or for the if he does Marthy
and I will be worse off [???][???] th[?]
is no wone else to help me along the Crop
I havent no father to help me like you
for I never see nor hear from mine I
havent Seen enny of my brothers or
Sisters only A[?]thy stayed with me one
night Since you [??] her I heard
from Jane to day was a fortnight ago
She was on her way to see Valuntine
I am hartyer than I have been in [?]
[page 2]
Sevrel years. all the rest of the famly
is well. four of the children are going
to School improving faster than they
every have they all send their love
to you and children Amy and Enoch
wrote to there aunt Sarah a few lines
to let her now how good they could write.
when they get so they can write better
they will write you. I havent heard
from Cathine since Hardy died and
that was last January. is Wiliam gone?
you wrote last that you had a pair of
Stokings for Alies and I would
be glad you would come and bring
them for she needs them. I have
Scrached here on this pease
of paper as long as I am a going too.
you know I have. I will close by
asking you to write back as quick
as you get this. I remian your truly
Affectionly Mary Alderman