Submitted by:Marilyn Stroh   [email protected]
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State of Tennessee Gibson, County.
                 Christmas Dec. 25th  1851

Dear Sons & Daughters  it is with grief & sorrow that I write to you at this time, though it is generally a time of mirth Christmas Times  you know I would to God, that there never would be another Christmas if they all were like this & I hope to God that, we never will experience another such a one.

I lament to tell the awful circumstance.  O do I have to tell you, your, dear little Brother Wiley White got killed yesterday  it, is a lamentable fact.  John James & him (Wiley) started to Mr Gardner's Gin after a load of cotton seed & house - use Cotton as they were passing along by Parson Grier' s field, going down a slant the Oxen started & ran away  They were both in the wagon  John James jumped out & got his hands and face skined & bruised but, not verry bad but poor little Wiley could not get out until the wagon struck a tree & uncoupled & the bed  fell off & he unfortunately fell on his head, & bruised it awfully  The doctor said the back part of his head was fractured (the bone) he was there in a few minutes after the accident occurred before he (Wiley) was taken up.  he was passing by with John W.Bobbitt (the doctor).  John James ran up to Mr Griers,  There was no body there but Mrs Grier & a little negro girl  Mrs. Grier ran up, to Mr. Bells & got a young man to come & let us know & the negro girl ran up to Mr Gardners & as he was crossing the road, he hailed doctor Bone & Bobbitt & taken them rite on!

They had taken Wiley to the house (Mrs. Grirs) before any of us got, there.  The accident occurred between nine & ten o'clock  He breathed until about, half after one..(bottom line missed in copying)

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his eyes.  It seems to me if he could have talked any it would not be(fore smudged out) so hard.  We have had trials & hard trials but it seems that this is the hardest of trials.  If he had sickened & died it would not be so hard.  But poor unfortunate Child he was snatched off instantly in perfect health  it warns us to be ready at any time.  If it was not, for the well grounded hope that after a while we will meet him in a far better world.  I don't know how I could bare it.  if it was not for that hope  That is what beres me up.  The Scriptures says of such is the kingdom of Heaven  & I trust he is now (c?)raying around the throne of God while we are mourning his Loss  but our Loss is doubtless his great gain  I cant write the circumstance as I wish for it is out of my power.  O it is hard to lose one in such a way.  he is gone we cant bring him in to life again but glory to God there is one thing we can do we can go to him & I want as we have
constituted a family here on earth  I want us all to prepare & constitute one in Heaven.  It is not really known whether  his head struck a log that was close by or whether the ground  John James say he don't believe he struck the log that he fell on the ground.   some has examined and thinks he struck the log  The ground was hard frozed & it was as hard as the log or harder for the log is some what rotten.  We fetched him home from Mr. Griers yesterday evening after he died & buried him to day at Pleasant Grove Church by his Sister & Brother.

Tell Edward Thomas that his Uncle Wiley is done writing him letters that he is gone & that he must be a good boy never be bad that he may meet him in Heaven not only him but his little Sister & Brother that has died & gone home to Heaven where there will be no more parting.  They will live together happy forever & forever 

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We come very near fixing him (Wiley) up to come with Shadrach down to see you all  Shadrach, come home Saturday was a week ago & insisted verry hard that we would let him go that he would take him down to see Edward Thomas &
you all that he wanted him to travel about & see the ways of the world while he was little  that he wanted him to make a smart man.  It (Interest?)ed Wiley very much  He thought he was going for several days but we thought the weather was too cold for him to go.  It was so inclement that Shadrach turned back he said he wrote to you about it.

Wiley was a promising Child  he was a good scholar of his age & chance he studied hard even when at home of nights & Sundays.  He wanted to be smart but poor Child he was cut off to try the reality of annother world.  He doubtless is much better off.  I trust we will all meet him in Heaven  where accidents sorrow trouble pain & parting  will be no more.

He was Eleven years five months & twenty nine days old.  I will now leave the awful subject.

I will say to you we are all tolerable as to health hoping these few lines may reach you all enjoying good health.  I want you all to come whenever you can.

Mrs. John N. Grier sends her compliments to you all.  I remain yours &c. 

To Horace & B. Ward & families        }    James Wilson & family

P.S.  Write as soon as you get this letter.


The letter is addressed:
(front side)

To Mr Horace Wilson or B. Ward

Shelby County  Ross Town S. (P.?)

Tennessee

(back side )

E  Edward T Ward

Edwar or Edwin ?