NC, Lenoir Co., letter, FROM MITTIE EDWARDS HILL TO HER MOTHER ========================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non- commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be repro- duced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Copyright 2000 by Martha Marble. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. by Martha Marble mmarble@erols.com ========================================================= LETTER FROM MITTIE EDWARDS HILL TO HER MOTHER Original letter found in the Collection of Frederick Lee Edwards, original now in the Edwards Collection, Joyner Library, East Carolina University. Mittie was Lucretia Charlton Edwards daughter of Charlton T. and Dulcinea Caroline Edwards of Greene County. Mittie married John Bryant Hill son of Thomas J and Julia A. Loftin Hill of Lenoir County. They had a daughter Julia Verna born in 1883 who is the Verna referred to in the letter. Old Bill Fields was William Council Fields, long time Sheriff of Lenoir County. Bettie Fields and her husband referred to, was William Council Fields Jr. Cousin Sammie Ormond was probably Samuel Watkins Ormond son of Watkins and Betsey Taylor Ormond of Greene County. Transcribed by Martha Mewborn Marble Kinston, NC May 30, 1884 My Own Dear Mother and Brothers, Yours of May 19 was received last Sat. and read with much pleasure. I received a letter from Lela the same time. She said she was going after you (mother) Sunday if she could get a horse. So I guess you are out there now. I answered her letter so you could hear from us through her. Verna was right - sick the first of the week with a very bad cold and fever. She is about well now. I believe except her cold and it is much better. We were very uneasy Monday about her though - she was going to have the peneumonia and sent for Dr. Pollock but there was no need of it as she was much better when he got here. I have been right unwell this week and a part of last week with a very bad cold and a hurting in my side. I put a salve plaster on it and it is much better. I reckon I will lose all the concerts again this summer. The Graded School Concert came off last night - they say it was splendid. I suppose you will be to Ormondsville tonight. I wish them much success if I can't go. I wish you and bud could attend Dr. Louises. They will have such fine musick. I know you would enjoy it. It will be at night except Thursday. By the way there is an address delivered today for the Graded School. Mother, I haven't stuck the scissors in my dress yet - neither have I made Verna's clothes yet. I made her one little white dress with puffs an tuck the next day after you left I believe and I have made three under skirts this week and that is abut all I have done. Bettie Fields has been to see me. She came and spent the day and that night it rained so she and Mr. Fields staid all night and also Mr. Fred Loftin. We spent third Sunday with them and enjoy it - splendid. We really enjoyed our dinner. Have you heard the sad accident that happened to old Mr. Bill Fields? We heard that he was crossin the rail road and the train was backing and killed his horse and tore his buggy all to pieces and killed him and cut his legs off above his thighs. Wasn't it awful. I was real sorry to hear of cousin Sammie Ormonds misfortune in boring ?? his mind as well as his wife. I haven't been to Kinston since you were here therefore I haven't bought Verna a cap yet nor any hat. Johnnie says he will go after you if you will come and stay some more with us. If you come any time soon I wish you would bring some of that old white satin waist with you so if I can't succeed in buying Verna a lace cap that will do to make it on I reckon. Also, set of my old polonaise patterns open behind. And let us know when. Mother have you many little chickens? I bet you have got more little chickens now that I have. I have had a sight of them but they die as fast as they hatch almost - it so surely disheartening. I have tried so hard to raise a good many this year until I can hardly keep from crying. I meet with such little success. I expect eve will have some ripe peaches before long. Are your May peaches ripe? What do you think they have laid off Mr. George Parotts homestead. I can't help feeling sorry for them. Mr. Hills cotton did not come up good either, he had to plant some over again. I believe I have written about all I can think off. Come soon and let us hear from you. As ever, Mittie