Collier Family Letter 
9 May 1859
| Oak Hill Ga 9th May 1859 Dearest, Through mercy I am permitted one more opportunity of attempting to address you. I wrote you two weeks ago to day that I was sick, and I have not been able to write a line since. I started the next day below & was unable to get furthur than cousin Thos Lanes. I have had the measles very bad without knowing where I caught them. I was brought up to Bro. Bens day before yesterday, though I have not set up any for 12 days till yesterday, I sat up about one hour. I am very weak as I could not eat any thing for some ten days. It has been one month to day since I left Town Bluff and I had appointed to day to start back home, but sickness has disappointed me; I can not start under another week, if that soon, for which I feel very sorry, but have to submit to the will of him that should be obeyed. The time seems long and I shall start as soon as I think it prudent to do so. Cousin Thos, John C. Sheffield, Thos Floyd & Mrs. Runnells & family are making arrangements to accompany me to Texas, so I can start some thing sooner than if I had no company. On my return here I found your kind letters of the 16th & 20th April. I was very sorry to hear of the sickness of my precious little Babe in my absence though greatful to hear in your last that she was getting well. I hope you may have the protecting care of Almighty God to preserve you all from disease and harm in your lonesome situation. The news soon spread throught this country that I had the small pox and I was fearful it would reach Texas and make you uneasy, I therefore requested Dick to write Zack that I had the measles and not the small pox and that I was getting on tolerably well. As I am quite feeble and hope to be at home soon I will come to a close. Your affectionate Husband ****************************** (above letter in possession of Barbara Yancey Dore, Nederland, Tx) |
