This letter is from Andrew Jackson Coltharp

 

 

This letter is from Andrew Jackson Coltharp, younger brother of James Coltharp,

to whom this letter is written.  He is the next to youngest of 13 children.

            A.J. Coltharp was born July 2, 1831 in Monroe Co., TN to John and Susannah Coltharp of the same County.

            Andrew is writing to his brother James who is living in Van Zandt Co., TX.

            Andrew is 19 years old when he writes this letter and mentions that he has been attending Hiwassee College. 

This private Methodist Junior College, located in Madisonville, TN, is still in existence and

was founded in 1849, just two years before this letter was written.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monroe Co., Tennessee                                                            April 29, 1851

 

Dear Brother,

          I take this opportunity of writing to you.  We are all well at present except Father.  He has been very unwell this Spring but his health is improving.  I have been sick but I have got well again.  There has been more sickness this last Winter and Spring than there has been since Father came to this country and a great many deaths. 

          We received your letter dated March 2nd.  It gave us great satisfaction to hear from you.

          Provisions are very scarce.  Corn is worth 50 cents per bushel, oats

33 1/3 cents per bushel, bacon 8 ½ cents per pound, flower 6 dollars per barrel.  Horses, mules, and hogs are very deer.  Everything is very deer.  Father sold a horse to V.H. Skinner and accidentally he has run away and we shall lose the debt.  The horse was worth a hundred dollars.  Skinner is one of the greatest scoundrels in the world.  It would be hard to find his equal this side of hell.  The old lawsuit was laid on the table for twelve months.  Father’s lawyers are going to take it before the legislature.  A. Stakeley’s land suit was tryed in March and he gained it. 

          The Hiwassee rale road is coming on slowly.  The cars are running 15 miles on it.  I went to school last winter at Hiwassee College.  I studied mathematics.  I completed the course.  I am going to study partly this summer and work a part.  I am reviewing grammar.

          We have a division of the Sons of Temperance and we have 47 members.

There is four divisions in this county and are all doing well.

          When you write to us let me know how the Sons are doing.  Write to me as soon as you can.  I have no more worth revealing.  Give my best respects to all and to all the pretty girls and also to your self.

          I remain your affectionate brother,

         

                                                                                                A.J. Coltharp

 

To James Coltharp, Esq.