Letter 11 William H Wright to Martha William Wright Moody

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Bolivar, Tennessee
Surnames/tags: Moody Mason Wright Bolivar Ten. February 8th 1833

Mrs. Moody,

Dear Sister

After a long, and tiresome journey of near two months, I arrived in this place. I found all things nearly as I expected, there have been some changes in business since I left here, Irish Bailey and Bell, have dissolved copartnership, Irish has a store in Lagrange, James Bell and myself, intend commencing business this fall, at what place we are undetermined, in all probability it will be in Athens Alabama, as I do not like the Western district so well as I expected, it is not the country it has been represented to be, people here are very much involved in consequence of not making good cotton crops which is there only dependance to pay their debts.----

Tell John I should be very glad that he would settle near me some where or other, but can not advise him to settle in the western district of Tennessee, for it is not a country for a farmer, corn may be made her in abundance but not cotton;----

We have preaching here most every Sunday. and sometimes in the week, notwithstanding the religion of Jesus Christ, is at very low ebb, the professors are cold, and dull;----

My health at this time is only tolerable. my head is so stoped up with cold, I can scarcely get my breath. I caught so much cold on the road, I fear I shall never get over it; Mrs Bell is very amiable, she is as good to me as a sister, she made me a large quantity of hoarhound candy for my cough, which I think has been of considerable advantage to me; I have never heard from you since I left No.Carolina, and should be extremely glad to receive a letter from you, I have heard from my dear little Francis twice since I left him, he was well at that time; If I only had him with me I should [torn] better satisfied, but it is so destined [torn] must be separated, to go to see him, and [torn] word how his health is, carry him [torn] with you, if he is not going to school [torn] let him stay with you a while;----

I must conclude for I have a fever a [torn] time, and feel quite unwell, present [torn] respects to John, Capt. Moody and a torn] enquiring friends & accept them yours [torn] and believe me to be

Your affectionate brother

Wm. H. Wright

Mrs Martha W. Moody

Addressed to: Mrs Martha W. Moody

Dancy's Store

NoAmpton

N.Carolina

Mail

Postmarked: BOLIVAR TE FEB 9

Postage: 25

VLR (Virginia Leigh Refo)

A letter from William H.Wright writing now to his recently married half sister Martha William (Wright) Moody. Martha was married in May 1832, not yet 15 1/2 years old. William's deceased wife was Peggy (Bell) Wright, so I conclude James Bell is probably a brother-in-law, or at least a cousin. I assume Mrs. Bell in this letter to be James' wife. There are other Bell connections, particularly to the Lockharts (see letter #16). A daughter of Benjamin F. Lockhart, Sr (LEV I believe she means William Barrett Lockhart, Benjamin's father) and Sarah (Gee) Lockhart married Joseph J. Bell. Irish Bailey is unknown to me. Francis is William's son, Francis Marion Wright, whose mother Peggy Bell Wright, who died shortly after he was born. John is Martha's husband, John Mason Moody, frequently called "Jack". Capt William Moody is John's father.

Acknowledgement

• Many thanks to cousin Virginia Leigh Refo whose research and transcriptions added to this profile. The originals were donated to the Library of Virginia in 2004 by Liz Edens Vermillion with the help of Virginia Refo Moody Family Papers, 1750-1881. Accession 40535, Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.