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Brunswick County Decr 27th 1982

Dear Mort & Larkin

I have concluded to write you afew lines to inform you that we are all well at this time and hoping that this letter may find you Both enjoying good helth we only had three cases of measles in our Family Sweet Boy & Laura and I do not think that there will be any other case for it has been 3 or 4 weeks since Laura had the measles and she was the last one that had it –

We have had Quit a dul Christmas

    been

I have to the negro hire at Bentons to day negro men hired from 70 to 80 dollars I have hired Margaret again for the same.

I suppose Joe Carpenter & Jack Delbridge has run the Block & Joe Rawlings has been sent out after them and will start back tomorrow morning I would not be suprise of they did not fool him and not to back tomorrow Joe Carpenter hired a boy to day for 72 dollars and said he was going to carry him down with him to the Bluff I suppose to make a cook of him – I have been trying to hire a few negro for you all but could not find any one that was willing to go to the Bluff

You wrote me that your shoes was two small I was very sorry to here it for

[Pg2]

shoes is very hard to get at any price out here in the country they have got lether up to four dollars per Pound and very scarce at that price you had better sell them if you can get a good price and I will try and buy you another pair as Mr Kelly has some at $12) but the soles are not thick enough I can nail on some half soles which will make them very good

                                   ent 

shoes if you have not made any arrangem about shoes you had better write me as soon as posible so that I can get you a pair before they are all [gorne?]

Your Ma have cooked you a box of vituals and Joe Rawlings has promised to take charge of it and see that it goes through safe your aunt Polly Williams sent up to Pyes to put in the box for Harvey but as you are all together I suppose what is ones is the others.

I have nothing more at present you must excuse bad writing I am writing by candle light & bad pen & bad Eyes write to me soon give my respct to all the boys and receive a [portion?] you self I remain yours &c

W M & R L Rawlings J W Rawlings

TB I will try and come down to see you all about the middle of January If I can get off

JWR