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Known Recipient: Joseph Pinkney Morrison
Contents::
Dear Nephew
       Yours June 22nd came safe more than a week ago. I have been enquiring for the post office that Mr. Crawford would be most likely to get a letter in I am told that Hillsboro is the nearest to his house; he is traveling Colporteur [?]. I hjave not seen him since I wrote you last but his son David lives hear Hillsboro and probably that will be the best place to direct a letter. James was determined on attending court and trying to know something about matters but he was in such a desperate condition with boils under one arm and around on his shoulder blade that he was not able. He has been nearly laid aside ever since the beginning of June. I have asked different men to make enquiries they willdo it but in the multitude or business they forget or then have no opportunity so I get no intelligence. I have no information from they McCorkels since Robert wrote to me. I have heard lately Mrs. Rogers has taken advice from Mr. Hiconson and is about to sell her land. I am afraid you will lose your land if you cannot get it attended to. Mr. Logan holds a part of it and Mr. Brixey run out Mr. Rogers land last fall without letting James know about it. I think he run as far as Oliver’s claim covers intending to hold it. I do not think Mr. Collier is trying to do anything for you. He never makes any enquiries at me or sends any messages to me.
       I have got a letter from your brother William dated April 17th. I had made particular enquiries about all his family, he answered me pretty well about his children, 1st Eliza Elenor aged 15 [?] years, 2nd William Bell 14 [?], 3rd Joseph Pinkney 12, 4th George Columbus 10, 5th Sarah Elizabeth 7, 6th Mary Catharine 3. He writes they are all in good health. His wife enjoys but little health and no prospect of ever having better. He doesn’t say one word about his own health, his circumstances or prospects. He says it is hard times in the natural world and cold in the spiritual world. He things it is a time that calls Christians to dlilgence and fervor in duty.
       The spring continued very cold. We had ice late in April. I don’t think we have had ten days yet that would be called warm summer weather. We have had a great deal of cloudy weather and plenty of rain, wheat and oat crops are tolerable good, corn is far behind. Thanks to our heavenly Father we have not suffered for breat and we did not lose any stock, but two good sows and a passel of little pigs. Last Saturday Sabbath was a week there was two days meeting held at the pond spring by Rev. Amzi Bradshaw and Rev. John F. McCutchan one old Presbyterian and one Cumberland. I have not heard of much feeling on the occasion four weeks from that time. There is a protracted meeting held at pond by the Cumberland Presbyterians but I don’t know who is to assist McCutchan. Religion appears to be dead or if any sparks are alive they are so covered with the dust and ashes of the world they cannot be easily discerned. James expects to go to Hillsboro next Saturday to pay the tax if I feel able to write more before that time I will, if not you must be satisfied with what I have done while I assure you I do pray for your present and eternal welfare. James and wife siend their best respects to you all. Remember me to all enquiring friends and at the throne of grace.
Joseph P. Morrison

P.S. Your brother William’s address is Petersburg P.O.
Lincoln County Tennessee.


Notes from Jean Morrison:
       By way of explanation, this letter came to me in typed copy and a xerox of the hand-written letter. I have compared the two and they are identical. It is from one Mary Morrison daughter of Andrew Morrison and Elizabeth Sloan of Rowan NC later Franklin Co. TN. She was not known to be married. She writes to her nephew Joseph Pinkney Morrison who was known to be married three times, he was a widower twice. Married third at this time to a Pernecy Adelaide Hale, in TN. Her brother was William Hays Morrison, and Joseph was his son.

I reviewed the 1850 Census, Coffee Co. TN and find:
       Family 940
       James C. Morrison 32 TN
       Rebecca 78 NC
       Mary 68 NC
       Margaret 22 TN

       Rebecca could be a sister of Mary Morrison, as I have been unable to find her out of NC. But a Mary Morrison is also found with her brother George Milton Morrison back in NC for the 1850 census. Could she have been in both places at time census was taken, I guess so.

By 1860 Census, Coffee Co. TN
       James 42 TN farmer
       Margaret 33 TN domestic
       John F 6 TN
       Amzi 2 TN
       Mary 76 NC

       I query I pulled off the internet identifies this James’wife as Margaret Kennedy, m. 1853 in Coffee Co. They had one son John Fielder Morrison b. 1854 who married Helen Eliz. Aday 1871.

       That’s why I say the letter poses more questions to me than answers. Who is she living with? James and Margaret are who?

Jean Morrison
5478 Hanover Circle
Cincinnati OH 45230