To Hugh Brown

Philadelphus Office, Robeson County, North Carolina

McNairy County, Tennessee

15^th December 1828

My Dear Cousin,

This will inform you that my family and I are all in the land of the living and have enjoyed a reasonable share of health for which we deserve to be humble and thankful. Our White family has been healthy since we came to this part of the country, but our Blacks were sickly last spring. A Negro woman lay t or 6 weeks unexpected to live, but she recovered and is now quite healthy thought I have to pay a pretty heavy bill to the doctor for his attention. The people through this district were generally healthy last fall. I expect more so than usual.

We had a very dry summer the most that has been know since the country was settled so says the settlers in this neighborhood, and in consequence of the great drought, the crops were very short. My crop was good compared with my neighbors thought it was much less than it would have been had it been seasonable. I did not gather more than 700 lbs. of cotton to the acre, and not more than 6 barrels of corn. Had it been seasonable, I suppose I should have gathered 1000 lbs. of cotton and 8 barrels of corn. I think I housed about 800 bushels of corn, but it took nearly half of that to pay my rent. I gave 1/3 of the corn for what I planted in corn, and 2 1/2 barrels for what I planted in cotton and 2 barrels for what I secured in wheat. I put 2 acres in wheat, 3 in oats, and 7 in cotton. Gathered 25 bushels of wheat and 5,000 lbs. of cotton. The price of cotton is so low that I made poor out with my cotton. I have not sold yet, but I am only offered $1.50 for seed cotton in cash and $2 in trade. So our cotton will bring but little after making it, and money is so scarce that there is scarcely and to be had. I cannot get enough to pay my taxes.

The land I live on was sold a few days after Mr. Gillaspie returned from North Carolina, at sheriff's sale, and I purchased it. Took all the money I had, and I had to borrow $17. There was 80 acres sold. It sold for $237, nearly $3 per acre, but the laws of this state are such that I am sorry that I purchased. The owner of the land has 2 years allowed to redeem land sold by the Sheriff by paying 10 percent on the purchase money, although it is thought that the land I live on will not be redeemed, yet it is possible and places me on an uncertainty that renders my situation unpleasant.

By Mr. Gillaspie, I wrote you to which letter I have received no answer. In that I wish to know if you have collected my money for the 2^nd payment for the land I sold Walker and McPhatter. I received by Mr. Gillaspie the half, which I supposed to be Walker's part. You did not let me know whether you had taken judgement for the other or not. I think it would be the best way to hurry payment to take a judgement, as it can be done without any cost. And I have concluded if you have collected the balance from them, to send me in a letter $50 and if that comes safe to continue to do so as soon as you hear whether the first comes safe. For that purpose write me as soon as you receive this and send me $50 enclosed and in 2 or 3 weeks after, write me again so that if one letter should miscarry the other may come safe and continue to write until I receive some of your letters. The first I receive, I shall answer immediately.

A Mr. Gillaspie says he has written to Robeson and requested an answer, but none has been received. Letters have generally gone same from here to Carolina by mail. Should this go safe, I hope you will write me immediately. I shall be anxious to hear from it. You must also change for United States paper and North Carolina money is worth but little here.

Mr. Gillaspie family is all in good health at this time. He had several slight cases of fever in his family through the fall and winter, but none severe.

Give my best respects to all your Fathers' family, to sister Elizabeth and her dear little daughter, to A. Buie and family, Aunt Mary and family, Col. Bounds, cousin D. Brown and family, Col. Buie and family, and all other friends and relatives in that part of the country. My wife and I send love to you and all of yours,

Your friend and cousin,

Hugh Smith

Original: Neill Brown Collection #702, Perkins Library, Duke University

Transcribed by Bradley M. Buie, January 2000