Pleasant Hill

                                                                                                            Marshall County Va

                                                                                                            December 5^th 1861

 

                                                                                                                        Dear John T.

                                                                        It seems along time since we heard from you, please write on receipt of this.

 

We are all well & have been since I last wrote to you—we have had all kinds of weather the past fall months and now we have rain, frost, and snow alternately the past three weeks Pastures have been very good until lately now they are coverd with snow.

 

We have not much over the half of our corn husked, it is all in shock and is very good. We have just shipped our hogs today to Wheeling at $2.85 pr hundred gross. Beef cattle worth from $2.25 to $2.75 gross /

 

We had a letter from Wm of Coshocton yesterday, the Company is doeing nothing at the oil works now. Wm has been working with James More (our James) the greater part of the past season.

 

M^r Horn having been out to Coshocton about five weeks ago, he brought in with him two of Williams little girls: Addy and Frankaleanea. Franky is down at her Grand pa’s Campbells and Addy is staying with us. She is some company & some help to Margaret. Parker is in Cincinatia in the ohio Midical Colledge, his wife Lizzia is got enguaged in the Femal Colledge at Evenston Illionois they intend setting up housekeeping again in the spring. their health and that of their Boy Alin is good. /

 

I have had no letter from Callifornia since June last, Mr Doble sends me the Callifornia Farmer a weekly paper published in San Francisco.

 

The friends up at Shortcreek were well the last accounts.

 

I have not received one cent of the second payment on the Pennsylvania farm. I hold judgement Notes for the amount due. I have written to Thomas Fraizer Esq^r to urge the payments as the become due and as soon as I receive any Mony you shall hear from me on that subject. I have been informed that Wm Lucas has had considerable affliction in his family since he moved to the Miamies. I would love to visit you once more, but it is out of the question these war times & I am not as active as I used to be, age brings on infirmities. /

 

I have not seen or heard of your old neighbour Wm M^c since I wrote you last

 

Dear John, we live in troublesom exciting times, But this Rebellion must, and shall be put down! you discover by the Wheeing paper that our Convention, and Legislature are both in session at this time in Wheeling—we believe we shall have a new State, and then Western Virginia will attend to her own buisness in her own way.

 

Secessionism, Treason, & Rebellion shall be wiped out, and the glorious old flag of our Union shall wave in triumph

 

M^r Swans family are all well & also J. P. Hornbrook & family. Remember me to M^r Burge & family and kiss all your own dear little children for old Grand Pa.

                                                                                                Wm M^cFarland.

 

P. S. Sara Ann has a young daughter, it is now about seven weeks old.

                                                                                                W.M.F.

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