1853 Letter from Elijah Falkner

Sept the 20^th A.Domini 1853

State of Arkansas St. Francis Township

Dear Brother & Sister

I feel greatful and thankful to my god and master that dwelleth in the heavens that he has ever been so kind and merciful unto me as to help me with the privilledge of once more taking my pen in hand for the purpose of writing you a few lines to inform you of our health at present I am happy to inform you that we are all in tolerable good health at present and have enjoyed tolerable health all this year except my little son. Robert Asa, he has been sick with something like the d?? ague & fever. _____ _____ _____ (his marks)

The health of the country generally has been good in comparison to heretofore, my health is a great deal better this year than it was last year though it is not good now. Crops is very good in this country. Cotton is from five to ten feet high generally and well boled. Corn is worth about twenty cents per bushell pork will be worth some three or four dollars per hundred flour six dollars and fifty cents per barrel. _____ _____ _____ (his marks)

you have often heard of a country that flowed with milk and honey, this is the greatest country for milk and honey I ever saw in my life. If you ever intend to move to this country now is the time while things are cheap Land is cheap now, but it is thought that it will be very high in a few years (that is) worth from ten to fifty dollars per acre There is a Rail Road under contract to be built from Memphis to Little Rock it will run near where I live, that is the cause of land rising

We have had a great revival in the Methodist & Baptist churches out here there has been a great many joined the church here. The Society in our country is getting to be tolerably good of late. I want you to move out here this fall as soon as you get this letter if you can, for I know that you can make double and tribble as much produce here as you can there and with as little labour now if you can come this fall. I want you to write to me as soon as you get this letter and let me know, I want you to write any how whether you come or not as soon as you get this. when you write, write about everything let me know what is going on in the country whether any body is aiming to move to this western country or not. If you just could see our corn and cotton you would not be in that country long

Tell my Relations and friends that I would like to see them in this country Tell all our Brothers that is not settled in that old wore out country not to do it until they look at this western country. I would rejoice if I could see you all come roleing into our country between this and Christmas, no more at present but I remain your affectionate Brother until Death,

Elijah Falkner

I forgotten to tell you that the Bear are so plentifull that they are robing the corn fields badly they take a bait out of my field, every few days, when they get good fat I intend to kill some of the cubbys if they don’t look very sharp

Elijah Falkner