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1884 Letter
James Hill HALL wrote a letter to Mr. William H. Davis on 30 May 1884 from Julia, Oregon while visiting his sister, Adelia Hall REDFIELD.
William H. Davis was married to James Hill Hall's first cousin, Elvira. Mr.
Davis was in charge of some family land dealings in Jackson county on behalf
of James Hill Hall and other family members. In looking at the land records,
it appears that Mr. Davis has somehow manuvered James Hall out of his real property
in Illinois and that bad feelings have ensued. After 30 years away from home,
Mr. Davis has become the only relative of contact.
Postmarked: Julia, Oregon
Smith River Del Norte County, CA.
Mr. William H. Davis
Dear Sir: after many years of time gon by today was talking with John Redfield
at his home about our old home and thinking of who we thought was still living.
I felt a desire to see you all and see the county of my bearth and my old home
and the city of the dead where our friends are buried but will we ____meet again
it is hardly probale here below but we may meet in the great by and by. In writing
to you all the past with me is gone let us bury it were it belongs in obliveon.
I neaver cared much anyhow, I would not live in your county if I owned land
there it seames to me now. Mr. W.H. DAvis I want you to write me about Mary
J. Scotts whereabouts if liveing and if dead tell me of her child and my Step
mother or any news abouat them will be very acepted. What they are doing. I
want you to take paines to find out and write me soon. This letter is written
very much in there interest. If Mary or Mother is in want by the bless. of him
who does all things well I may be of Searvice to them in a time of nead. I am
neither rich nor poor but can and will help them, if necessary. Mary stoped
writting to me all at once. Mayby I will have to moarn her death. Stephen
Hall and Henry are dead please write me of Benjamine Hall's whereabouts. My
hearts fells Sorry and Sad when I think of Thomas nette(?) Unkles folks most
all gon I am visiting Adelia Redfield my only very near relation liveing except
Mary if alive. A Boy when you last Saw me today 54 years old, worked very hard,
prety well used up but not very gray. My eysight is better than Adelias.
I live in Del Norte County, Cal. Smith River is my post office Address. I am
in the dairy business milk 50 cows, make our butter for the San Francisco Market.
We ship ;by Steamers live on the coast get plenty of Salmon fish, cams, muscles
and very ___kinds of fish. We have a big nice vally of about 40,000 forty thousand
Acres cut up by readwood timber and a few small creeks with one quite large river
by name Smith River. Same name of our Post Office, good climate, lots of rain
in winter no snow to call anthing a great dairy country on account of climate
cool eaven tempature thermometer stands about 60 to 65 in summer. Would write
of other subjects but might not be acceptable. Would ask to be remembered to
Harrison Hall, William and your Boys and girls if you have any with all that
now me or care to hear from me. Our family is small, 4 girls two are married.
My soninlaws are running my ranch. We have in over 100 acres of grain and corn.
Can accomidate 75 or 80 cows if I wish. Times has not been good with us for
many years but al last our turn has come. The readwood timber is being cut up
by miles for San Francisco market with and the dairy intrest combined makes very
good times. If the law makers will give us mexican War fellows a Pension and
date it back ten years I will return and visit Illinois. Once in 30 years which
would give me very much joy. Redfields folks wish to be remembered to all that
may Inquire after them. Will ask you to send me a copy of the Murphysboro Independent
or your county paper if you care to correspond I will reciprocate.
My complaments come to you all by this letter will close
yours very resp
J.H. Hall
**This letter contributed by Carol Switzer Dean, who is a descendant of William H. Davis and Elvira Hall.
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