Stampless folded letter sheet.
Manuscript postmark:
       Colbyville Ky }
       July 26th }
Manuscript rate:
       Free
Addressee:
       Samuel Barnett P.M.
       Bentleyville
       Washington county
       Pennsylvania

Letter:

Dear Father

  I received your letter on last Friday (16^th) and have now leisure to answer it. I was not surprised to hear of the death of grandmother Barnett. I expected in every letter from home, to receive the news of her death. But we have great reason to conclude that she has made a happy exchange; that she has left a world of sorrow and sin, to be forever with that God and Saviour whom she served while on earth. I can say, I think, with sincerity, that among all the people that I have known, I never knew a more kind hearted person than she. She has gone before; and we who are behind ought to strive to follow. I am glad to here that you are all well. But death has been about Bentleysville since I left it. He has cut down others who were stronger and bade fairer for a long life than I: one who was near to me. It is through the undeserved mercy of God that I am spared. May I be thankful, and make diligent use of my remaining time.

  I am not in the same place in which I was when I last wrote to you. I think that I was then near the close of my winter session. I left Mr. Stonestreet’s at the close of it, and, on the first of May commenced another session within two miles of the same place. My present school is partly composed of the old one. I have fifteen scholars, and get for the session of 5 months $180 and boarding. I have about $110 on hand and owe nothing. By lending, endorsing, & bad debts, (of these last I have none in this neighborhood) I have lost about $50 since I came to Ky. I may yet recover more than half of this. I live within 200 or 300 yards of Colbyville. This is just about half as much of a town as Finleyville. I am boarding in the family of Dr. Taylor, one of the principal patrons of the school.

  As a man, he is one of your first rate. Besides this he is a Christian, and a member of out church. My session is about half past. It will close about the first of October.

  I have experienced much temptation in my spiritual progress since I last wrote to you. Weeks and months rolled on, but it was all darkness with me; temptation without, and corruption within. But I feel more encouraged of late days. My mind has been led to ponder upon the nature and efficacy of faith. I think that I perceive that it was for want of faith that I was in darkness and doubt. This I know, that when I began to exercise faith in Jesus I found comfort. I began to see that Christ died for sinners, and therefore for me: that if I only believe in him, I have a perfect right to his salvation. Faith is a precious thing. By it we apprehend Christ as Saviour. And will Jesus save us only for just believing? Yes! thanks be to God, that salvation is as free as it is great. We ought to glorify God’s free bounty by instantly accepting of it.

  From the accounts of those who are acquainted with the state of affairs, it appears that the cause of religion is flourishing in this part of the country. Revivals have been numerous.

  I expected to hear that you were married; and supposed that to be the reason of your delay in writing. You may give my respects and love to Mrs. Barnett. I never saw her, I believe, to know her. You you will have my best wishes and prayers for your happiness. May you serve the Lord together in this world, and praise him together in heaven. Give my love to Martha and Nathanael. Tell Martha that she has n’t as much spunk as Nathanael. I believe she has n’t written me one letter. Tell her I can’t stand this any longer. And you may tell Holland and wife that if I don’t see a letter from them shortly, I’ll be tempted to blot their names out of my list of friends.

  Give my love to aunt Martha, when you see her. My respects and love to Uncle Thomas and family, to Mr. and Mrs. Bentley and all my friends. I know scarcely any thing about what has taken place in that and the Finleyville neighborhood since I left. I would like if you would take the trouble to tell me something about it, when you write.

  This is a delightful country in which I live. The people, as far as I know, are fine people. I would rather live here than in Penn. at least I feel so at present, its to coming home next winter, I rather think that it would be not do. I would not feel free in doing so, unless I had business or strong reasons. I think it my duty to be diligent in business. I have nothing more to write that to scribe myself.

Your affectionate son
W^m G Barnett

To M^r. S Barnett Esq^r

Transcription: © Rhett Hightower 2005