Click here to view the actual letter
Dear son and daughter. I once more take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to let you know that we yet living and tolerably well as to health though we are very infirm but I thank the all wise Creator that we are no so much so as a great many our age or even some that are not so old as we are; Now we truly wish and hope these few tangled up lines may safely reach you and find you all enjoying of health ____ temporal blessing congenial to your health and welfare in this worrisome toilsome life; The family connexions are all well as ______ know at this time. As I stated to you some time back, That Jane had joined the old dispised Hard She_s, so now I state to you that T.D.S. has also joined them and I truly hope and trust to my god the ____ of life and all other good gifts that none of my children or children�s children may ever join any other denomination, that they may keep aloof from all money and man made institutions and every other ____ that is not sustained by the bible;; Now as to the time of this country we are trod down by the party in power. Our country is full of revenue officers. We are afraid to give one another a chew of tobacco for fear of being reported. Money is very scarce and hard to get. Grain and pork _____ bacon is as plenty as ever I have known in this country. Bacon is 9 and 40 cts. Per pound. Corn is __ $40 cts per bushel, rye 56cts, wheat 125 cts per bushel. Cattle are selling pretty high. Hogs are selling high because there is none to sell.
I will tell you that I am not well although I am hearty as usual to eat and can get about as with common men of my age and better than some not as old as I am. I have now with writing a dull heavy pain right about the neck or stem of my bladder and has had for the last twelve months. I have been doctoring myself for two years or more. I have been buying and using Clark Johnson, Indian Blood syrup and Symon Brown�s Hydrongia and various other things all to no effect. I have tried almost ever thing that I could hear tale of or gather from Medical Authorities So I have taken up the idea it is something that is to take me out of existence sooner or later though I feel resigned to my fate come when it may it may terminate in sudden death or I may linger along several years but agreeable to the course of nature I can�t stay here much longer I am now in my 75th year. I was born in N.C. Guilford County in the year A.D. 1802 and mother was born in Virginia Grayson County May the 20th 1804. I was born December the eighth day ___ ____ ______
The date above written. Give a grandfather my ___ to all the children for I never to see any of them. This may be the last letter I write to any of you my kindred.
So nothing more at present but still remain your affectionate father and mother until death.
Hiatt and Elizabeth Montgomery To W.W. Montgomery wife and children Post Script) We have been looking for you in this country along time but have failed to see you. There would be many a glad heart among if you could come to see us. You not been out of my mind hardly 24 hours at a time for three months I have said to Mother several times �What does keep Williamson on my mind so much? Surely he is coming.� I as often call Oliver �Little Boy Williamson� as I do his own name.
So fare you well again. Please write to us and let us know how you are doing and the news of the country so forth esc. esc.
Hiatt and Elizabeth Montgomery
To Williamson Montgomery and Sarah E his wife and all the children, not one excepted or left out And all other enquirers, if any.