John C. Brown

A letter dated July 3, 1860 from J.C. Brown to Y.H.E Hitch (from Elinor Mowbray collection):

Dear Brother

What on earth is the reason you do not write to me?
I wrote to you some time ago, I do not recollect exactly when, though it must have been early in the spring; at any rate it was since I received the last letter from you. I suppose, however, that letter never reached you.
Caroline has received your letter of May 13, in which you had something to say to every one of the family and kindred, except me and Fayette, and wanted to know where we were. From your not knowing where I was and what I was doing I conclude that you had not received my last letter.
I am living this year at Father's, working in the farm, and think I shall be a working man for the rest of my life.
I have abandoned the business of school teaching. I intend to work, and devote only a portion of my time to scientific and literary pursuits.
Fayette is traveling over the country, sermonizing and selling books, etc. You can write to him either at Guntersville or Houston, Ala.
When you write to me, always direct to Guntersville, Ala.
We have some very fine looking corn; but if it does not rain within a few days there will be a light crop. We have had abundance of rain this year, but none for the last ten days, and the earth is as dry as it ever gets in a month without rain in your county.
We are all well
We have a relative with whom you are perhaps unacquainted - a little girl by the name of Ella May Lyons.
I should like very much to see you all, but as I cannot have that pleasure the next thing to it is to have a long letter from you - write often.
You invited Fayette over to dine with you on slice potatoe pye. Now I think myself greatly insulted in not being invited also; for I am very fond of that sort of pye, especially if they are of Mary Ann's cooking.
I am going to a fourth of July celebration to-morrow.

Yours truly,

J.C. Brown
Marshall Co, Ala
July 3, 1860

Y.H.E. Hitch