File: a700303.wpd
Type: Personal letter from Alvarina Bellamy to "relatives"
Remarks: written on note paper 7.75 x 9.5 inches - ink very faded and in some spots obliterated. Is embossed in the upper lefthand corner - a train with the words "HOLYONE OO" under it.

Surnames: Bellamy; Watel, Meridith, Digs, Dickerson, Thomas, Smith, Gardner, Herring

[multiple periods indicate faded or torn portions]

                 Milburn, Dalsand[sp] Co. Ky March three 1870

To my Dear relatives:

as I was retrospecting the fears of memory wafted me back to my old native state and those dear ones who watched over me in the days of my childhood.

I am living in Jackson franchase[sp] 15 miles from the Mississippi river.

I have 10 children, 6 boys and 4 [possibly a 6] girls my babe is 12 years old Mr. Bellamy is living he looks very old he is 55 years old today.  My 2 oldest sons Tim[sp] and Dames[sp] are married they are living near sis.   since I parted ........all my faith ....... through life ..... rugged .... not tell them..... I have passed through in the last 20 years my boys are all .... they never partake of that poison that has disolated so many happy homes only 2 of my children belong to the Church they are Baptist I suppose the war has almost ruined my old state it has made hundreds and thousands pennyless our property consisted mostly in negroes.  We are now living on a rented farm we received a letter from Amelia Co Va a few weeks since they give a terriable account of that county.  What was not killed in the war were about to starve to death.  We heard there was a drought there last year but left.  We made plenty to eat. I have often wondered if my old aunt is still living.  I want you to write to me all the paticulars what has become of Henry Watel and his family and Dr. Meridith and his family.  I often think of you all and wish I could see you .....would like to visit .... old home....

...is....good .. am almost .... have changed a great deal since I saw you all it has been so long since I heard from you all I scarcely know what to write.  I think some time ..... my relatives have forgotten there was war ever .... being in ...

What has become of Cousin Tom Digs and his sisters and old Uncle Davy Dickerson and family all of Mr. Bellamy sisters are dead but Mat she is living in Evansville Indianana she married a man by the name of Thomas she has 3 children living Oissee Smith died in Texas last year he left his children 11 hundred acres of land they are all married.

I wish I was able to visit you all I often think of Aunt Betsy's old place and wish I was there eating May cherrys but this is a .... better place to live in.

David ... and children, daughter .... Virginia is mind her husband and living in Paris Tennessee.

What has become of George Gardner and his family and Wilson Herring and his family.  I want you all to write without fail and then I will write a long letter.

Who is living at my grand mothers old place.  Oh how my heart yearns to visit that old place and looks up from the ground of those dear ones that sleep the sleep that knows no wakening.  My oldes daughter .... was killed onthe southern battle field.

I will bring letter to a close I would like for all or some of you to visit us a would be a great consolation to me to see some of my relativess.  Are you all ... house write .... you... to Milboro Dallson Co, Ky all the family jons me in love to you all I will send you some of my childrens pictures in mynext letter I remain your devoted Cousin,

                                                          /Signed/ Alvarina Bellamy.
 

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