Mr. J. S. Brown's Letters dated 1881 to his family.
Below is the transcription of a letter written from Franklin Co...the copy I have is too dim to transmit without a better scanner. These letters are written by John Smith Brown to his brother David Brown and his father Smith Brown.
The "Lute" he refers to is Luther Berkley whose second wife was Harriet Easlon and Elizabeth who died is the daughter of Melville (brother of Luther) and Sarah Brown Berkley. Sarah Brown Berkley is the sister of J.S. Browns father, Smith Brown.
The questions marks are where I could not make out the writing. He used very few punctuations or capitals. If you think this would be useful to someone you are welcome to use it. I also have a picture of the 1904 school children at Webb City school...it is dim. My grandfather is in the picture. Many of my ancestors were in Franklin Co around Cecil.
I have a few other items that might be of interest to someone from the John N. Brown family of the Browns Chappel bunch. The hand written piece when they joined with others to from Browns Chappel church and a receipt for goods bought in Ft. Smith for John N. Browns store. John N. Brown and J.S. Brown of the letters were not related. John N.'s daughter Luticia married George Berkley, son of the above Sarah Brown and Melville Berkley...confusing.
I have a lot of unidentified pictures of people from that area and several who are identified. Would that be of use to you?
Mr. Brown's letter or 1881, punctuation and spelling as written,
Lynn Risener "January the 16th 1881 Franklin Co Ark Dear Brothers & Sisters I take this opportunity to answer your kind letter of January the 1. Was glad to here you was all well. Wee are all well the rest of the babies are all well as fare as I no. I live where I lived did live when you was here expect to rent farm land thes year wher I am. I sased plenty of corn to do me and a l????. My one pasle of cotton enough to pay debts. Cotton is worth from 10 to 11 cts Corn 50 cts ??? 5 cts cash improved land leased to by un improved land from 250 too 5 per acre, flour 3 cts.
Dave such mules as that Bucking one you traded S.J. Wiggind is worth from 75 to 100 Dollars. Dave what could set such a mule be bough up there for the cash horses is better deal trade. Elizabeth Burkey dide on the 29 of last Feberuary and mattie? 4 day of July. Lute maried. six more those name is Easlens that makes 12 in familey. some hast to sleep standing. Lute has gone to bilding and cleaning ???????????????Lutes's wife is as long as a well rope and a little big in the midle at preasant.
Dave write soon and then I will tell you all about ??????told?????as these is to be ????? Dave, write soon and I will write more pages the next time.
J. S. Brown to David Brown (on the same sheet) Dear Father I will write you a few lines to let you no that we are all well at presant hope this will find you all well I would be glad you would write to me if you have not forgot you had a son John. I was sorey to here the lost of your children. So I must close for the time by saying write soon and often give my respect to friends and relatives yours as ever J.S. Brown"