To Hugh Brown

Philadelphus Office, Robeson County, North Carolina

McNairy County, West Tennessee

14^th December 1830

Dear Cousin,

Once more I take up my pen to write you a few lines to let you know that I am yet in the land of the living through unmerited mercy alone. My family are also all living and in reasonable good health, except a Negro woman who died the 1^st of this month after lingering long with the consumption. No material change has taken place worth mentioning. Only that my purchase of land where I first settled is confirmed by the former owner failing to redeem it at the time prescribed by law. And since he could not redeem, he has sold me 2 occupant claims; one of 97 acres, the other 200 acres. They are worth but little, only for timber and elbow room and I had to go in debt seventy dollars. And my principal dependence to pay is the money due me from McPhatter. I am in hopes that by this time you have collected McPhatter's money, if he ever will pay. I wish you to write on the receipt of this letter and inform me if I may depend on getting it or not. If you have collected it, you may enclose it in a letter to me as before.

We had a very dry summer and fall, but still our crops in general were good. My crop is as good or better than last season, particularly cotton. I gathered a little more than 1000 lbs to the acre of seed cotton. The price is so low that it brings but little for our trouble in raising it. I sold 2000 lbs. @ $2 per hundred to make the first payment toward my occupant claims. I have 4000 more unsold. [I] expect to sell that at the same, but must credit until a return for a part or the whole.

Mr. Gillaspie's family got a letter from you dated in August last and that is the last account we have had from that country. Numerous reports say that North Carolina suffered more from drought than was ever known. That there is scarcely a support made in the State.

Mr. Gillaspie's family is well at this time. He saved the life of his Negro man, but spent more than he is worth. In your last, you said Sister Elizabeth was about to write me. I have not yet received any from her. Hope she has not forgot. When I receive it, I will answer.

Remember me to her and her little daughters. Tell her I have 2 daughters - Mary Elizabeth and Sarah Catherine.

My wife and children joins me in live to you and all our friends without exception.

Hugh Smith

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

Transcribed by Bradley M. Buie, January 2000