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Notice: all or parts of this letter appears in a copyrighted source (Evans 1968) and is presented here with permission. All rights reserved.
From: Jesse Esrey (Ray Co., Missouri)
To: Daniel and Amanda Rhoads ( California)
Date: March 25, 1848
Dear Children – I take my pen in hand not knowing whether you are living or dead but hoping that you are still alive. Your letter gave us great satisfaction to learn that you had arrived safe. Although your sufferings and privations were many you have need to be thankful that they were not greater.
Your relatives in this part are all living. Your Forster Grandparents are in as good health as could be expected in persons of their age. Emanuel Rhoads is still with them and the two Black People. Your brother Isaak got married to Matilda Stewart. They have a baby girl. They have gone off somewhere. I know not where. I know nothing of Forster Rhoads. He and the widow Mathews crossed the plains together in 1845, and she brought, as well as the cornfield, the fruits of their labors, a fine boy. He is called after the illustrious Jefferson.
A volunteer company was raised in Ray Co. and marched off to Santa Fe. under J.R. Hendley. There were many deaths. Measles, scarlet fever and winter fever are the prevailing sicknesses and great numbers of children have died.
Minerva Simmes is married, leaving Nancy to dance in the hog trough. All of David Doll’s family are still single. He should move to California. There his girls would all have to get married or climb.
I went to Illinois and Indiana in February of 1846. I have sold all of my land in Ill. except 50 acres. Your land still remains unsold and so does your father’s. The rents are in my hands but I know not when I shall be able to find a safe hand by which I can send it to you.
The Rhoads family are generally well though nearly all of them had ague while I was among them. Terre Haute has improved greatly and has splendid churches. I had the pleasure of crossing the Wabash on the splendid $12,000 bridge. It is double track with a draw which allows steamboats to pass. They charge 5 cents toll for man and horse.
Your mother was taken with asthma, or tisic again. She has been bad off sometimes in the course of the winter, but a part of the time she has been quite smart. Dr. Dyer thinks he will be able to effect a cure. She was more fleshy last season but is somewhat reduced.
My dear daughter, in your zeal for reading and study I hope you will not forget the Bible, --the best of all books. I think divine Grace has subdued your heart and commenced the great work of preparing it for Heaven. God bless you my dear child.
Your Affectionate Father,
Jesse Esrey.