Kaufman Texas  April 9th 1857

Friend Noble
        Your letter bearing date 15th of March has just been received and in reply I cannot say whether I gave the right Calls or not but I will refer you to Mills Goodwin survey of 640 acres   it has been resurveyed a time or two but find the last survey ---- and look at the survey that joins the League survey at the SE corner 320 acre survey and see how the Calls agree.  I made the adjoining surveys and if I have given the rong Calls you will please Correct them   I am aware that men makes mistakes in writing frequently.

         Health tolerable   good several deaths    Bas Wade, Ed Wade and BC Wade all died last week and John & Virginia Wade has been very sick Dr B P Hendley's wife died last week.   William Wade came very near Diing this winter but is mending.  Your relations so far as I know are all well.  William H Barnes is our County Surveyor     he beat Dr Rip Wilson of Rockwall some 34 votes.  A man by the name of Meeks beat Sam Huffer for County Surveyor in Vanzandt County.  I have moved down on Trinity River to attend to a Steam saw mill that I have an interest in. You will please attend to the Judge Ochiltree business and Collect if you can.

      As you cannot record Mr James E Peel preemption field notes you will please send the Certificate and money back to me by mail   I have not seen Mr Peel since I received your letter but I know that he would want his Certificate to locate his land here.

    You will let me hear from you and excuse this short letter as I am vary busy.

Yours Truly
E. C. Tinnin

Kaufman  Jun 26th  /57

Mr Noble  Dear Sir
        Enclosed please find a set of Field Notes which I thought ware in your office long since but find them now among my papers   they cannot be Recorded now but you will please place them on file so that they will hold the Land until there is a Surveyor appointed fer this county     So soon as that is done I will have a resurvey made properly.  Please fix it so that it will be secure as I learn there is another man after it an you will confer a great favor on your friend and humble Servt

        R. A. Terrell

        PS  I saw Munrow yesterday walking with a pretty Girl If I should be Lucky enough to receive an appointment I will be down to see you so soon as I can do little work    Remember me kindly to my old friend Nilson and Nuck Tinnin if he is about there.   Yours

Bob. Terrell

Kemp  July 25th  1857

Ever Dear Seb
    I have some paper at las[t] and seat myself this morning to consecrate A portine of it to you.  It has been some time since I received your last Letter and I must tell you some of the intervening events up to this time or You'll think me careless (but Dear Seb  when I am due you a line I think the Oftener of you --)  but to my subject

   First Monroe came down with his little bride and there was some preparation Necessary both before and after his reception     then comes  (the next week) Judge Oliphant and Bob to see us and the last of the same week we went to Doc's  then to Icy's,  cousin Sam's,  Jack's and Preaching in that settlement and Home by way of Doc's   My first visit (only in the settlement) since you and Minta went with me      On Friday after  we came home from Doc's  A H Watkins and family arrived on a visit to us and our Prairie home stayed full day before yesterday  then bad[e] us goodbye and rolled for home in a fine glee although it was raining a little that morning    the first we've had in about 3 months I believe   it has kept showering once in awhile since    until this morning we had hard rain      the lake has filled up It was entirely g    only the part that was enclosed by the fence in the field   all say it has been the dryest time ever seen here and worse of all tis too late to do our corn any good     it was earlier than the rest of the Settlement and as good as could be before the drought   Dick thinks he'll make corn enough to do him    he's alone  I guess as none of the rest in the Settlement will     We still think of our visit but if we do not come when you are coming home.  If I did not want to see you and Minta and Ma so bad I could not leave home that long     George is going to fix up the Buggy soon     he expects to go through Anderson County Cousin Sam is doing finely and only complains of not having work enough to do   The boys all want to see you very much    Seb says don't make a gap in his hatchet---and tell you he tends to the cowpen    We had more fish this week from kingsfork    Some very large cat    almost as much as I could lift     the boys had a find Sport muddying the water to kill them   even the old men were so excited they could scarcely keep out when the large cat would swim by them---My paper is filled-love to Mit and to yourself

    The undying love of

M. K. Watkins

Jesse sends Uncle Seb a kiss   he's been calling you some time S[end]  me some seed if convenient    my garden burned up   

Kemp  Kaufman Co Texas
March 22nd  1859

Dear Seb
        As I have not written to you since you left Kemp, I have concluded to drop you a line this morning, not that I have any thing that would be likely to interest you, but merely to let you Know that we of Kemp are all well and are getting along after the old sort.  Doing but little As far as our farming operations are concerned I believe that we are a little ahead of the season,  we all finished planting corn in February, but we have Just had frost Enough to keep it from growing & not Enough to  Kill it.  We are Ready to plant cotton  but are fearful   If we plant now the frost will catch It & we will not plant until the 10th of April. The fruit on the Prairies are not injured, but on the river all is killed. We have had cold frosty nights for the last ten days until yesterday. Today is one of the loveliest days I Ever saw.  Our little girl (Born On the 17th January)  Mary J. M. Watkins is growing finely   She is visiting Today for the first time   There has not been much change since you was here.  True there has been several Marriages, Births & but few Deaths, Barnett and Miss E Morrow married a week or two since.  I do not know what Bob Shaw & Cousin Sue is going to do   Bob is there Every Occasionally and they have quite a lively correspondence   Col Gibbs has sold out the Hotel to A J Daugherty & Henry Carlisle (Shaw's son-in-law)  I was there one night last week   they make quite a slim show   Gibbs is putting up another house & will be prepared for Entertainment in a few days   There is some feeling around for candidates for our next Legislature.  Gibbs & Pyle of our county wants to Run & Norton & Manion of Henderson    I do not know how they will fix it up ---

   Carlisle and his wife have parted.   He is in town and She at her Fathers.  She has sued for a Divorce and for a partition of the Property and a lifetime maintenance and several other items included in her Petition.   They are having quite a lively time of it, Criminating & Recriminating, & If one half that is told were true they are a "crowding" set, to say the least.

    Friend Cobb has not been over yet to left his note   he has been quite Sick for some time   is Just getting about    he may pay in a shortt time. Elliott  has not given his note for the timber but has taken Enough more since you left to fence in 30 acres, he is past my control.  I will leave him to the Dr's tender mercies.  I do not Know what he intends doing. John & Ike Vannoy has been talking about buying some of the Bean land, but from a letter that John wrote to Monroe they have abandoned the  Idea of buying it, and they are now negotiating with Dr Parsons for a tract of Land over about Warsaw Prairie.   They are to be up in a few days to see It.  John would much prefer stopping in this settlement If he could make arrangements to suit   I believe I have written to you all that would Likely interest you.  Give the Dr my Regards, Command me in any thing I Can do for you in this section---

Your  John M. Watkins

My wheat is heading finely.  Prospect for a good crop.

Kemp Texas  Jun 18th  1859

Friend Sebe,
        I learn from J.M.Watkins that Star is the agent for this land that the Cedar break is on - will you please see him ( Star ) and inform me whether there would be any chance to get a set of house logs off it, and if so on what terms--  I was married on the 14th - All well - No news

Your friend
R. B. Shaw

Kemp Tx  Aug 15th  1859

Dear Brother,
        As it is but a short time to the regular mail hour, I will of necessity be brief.  Should however have in answer to yours and hereby ask forgiveness without stopping to give the reasons.

        The first event I will mention, being the farthest back and perhaps the most important is the birth unto us a "Fine Son". The idea of the birth of a son is good, but when coupled with a "Fine Son" is of course better.  The term "Fine Son" or "Fine Daughter" is so often abused that it does not convey the idea I wish it, therefore I will add by way of better description that Mary says tell Seb that he is the finest Nephew he has.  I omited stating in the proper place that he was born on the 27th June.

        James Rayel was elected Dist Clerk to fill the unexpired term G W Seitz, over [blank] Ellis, former Clk of Smith Co.  Rayel secured his election by giving pledge to the people that he would quit drink.

        I presume it is a fact that Houston is elected.  I voted against him in voting with the democracy.  The Democracy of Texas is gone without better organization.  Houston is a brave man, a good Gen'l, a wise states man.

        Monroe is making his arrangements to move to Kemp-bild down about the Old Store house.

        Dock talk of manageing Father's business next year.  He & Children are staying at John's & Malvina's.  John & Richard started to Synod this morning to be holden in Henderson , Rusk Co.

        Come up to Camp meeting, embracing 2nd Sunday in September.

All's Well   G. W. Noble

Kemp  Kaufman County Texas
December 25th 1859

My Dear Seb,
        I this Evening take my pen to try and write you a few lines. Although It will be badly done oweing to dimness of Sight Occasioned by Sore eyes.  The first things that I will Communicate to you is the Death of our Dear George which occurred on Tuesday morning Six Oclock the 20th Dec'r   he was taken with the Billious Colic on Friday before at 11 Oclock On Saturday we got the Dr to him but he could not give him any relief he staid with him until he Died.  You may guess of the Gloom that is on the Countenances of his relations and friends.  Mary and her little children look so desolate.  I can feel for & Sympathize with them is all the relief I can afford.   Mary is looking for her Father up during this week.  I think it is her intention to go home with him perhaps to remain permanently.   I wish you was up here to Stay awhile with us.  I never felt more Oppressed and desolate in my life  I feel that I need Some one to Converse with that I have not  which makes me quite restless.

        Doc is down to your Country   I do not Know that he will go as far as Nacogdoches before he returns.  I Shall look for him the last of this week.  His little children are all doing well  we have a real Jolly time with them and ours.  Bro Dick starts to move to Waco Teusday morning next he is leaving part of his hands under the charge of Cousin Sam.  He goes to Waco for the purpose of Sending his children to School.  I am going to send Robert with him for one year.  I have William staying with & going to school to Sam McCorkle,  the rest of my boys & Doc's will have to do without schooling at present.   We have had the coldest winter I ever Saw.  It Commenced Snowing here the 1st day of this month & the Snow has not been off the ground Since.  It is tolerable pleasant this Evening.  Stock has done poorly during the Snow and Frieze as they could get but little to Eat.  Some few old cattle & some that have been Drove in this fall have died.  James McAnulty has been with us and left for home yesterday Evening.  He was up after Pork.  He got the hogs but not the Pork,  he will fatten after he get home.  Our prospects for a wheat crop is bad   The first frieze we had Killed it out So badly that in many places there will not be a Stand left  this is the case with mine.  If you of the East eat Prairie Flour next year you will have to pay more than you have had to do this year.  I believe that I have written all that would be likely to interest you.  I would like It if you could come up and Spend a few weeks with us Just at this time.  If you cannot come write to us and let us heard from you.

   I think that Dr Starr controls the Berryhill tract of Land that lies in this Settlement.  If he doed you can Say to him that Wm H Hittson has built on it and is now living there.  It may be that he has permission of the Dr to Settle on it.

   When Mary leaves here She will leave Bluford   If you do not come up to See us,  write what disposition you want made with him If any,  & I will attend to it for you.

    Give my regards to the Dr. and receive my kindest feelings & best
For your prospects and happiness.

Your Bro
John M. Watkins

The last request of our beloved Brother was that we all meet him in Heaven   Every one  was his own words.  Mary says O Bina, write Seb and tell him to pray  pray pray hard and not be missing.    He called Jane to him and told her to look at her pa good so that she would know him in Heaven.  Come if you can    Fare well Dear Brother   do not expose yourself   I believe Georges Sickness was caused by overheating himself.

Malvina

Kemp Texas Dec 27th 1859
        Dear Seb
             The hack is in sight & I've time only to write you a few lines, to communicate the painful intelligence of the death of our bro George, he died on the morning of the 19th Inst of Bilious Colic.  He was attended from the first by the Physician of his choice, was taken on Friday before he died on Monday.

                  This shock has sent gloom over us all.

                  Bluford is at your disposal.  I rec'd yr letter with Price a/c, but Know nothing about it.

Your Bro.  J M Noble

Kemp Tx  Feb 10th  1860

Dear Bro. Seb,
        Since I wrote you last I have made every effort to sell Bluford but Could not do so without selling to some one living at considerable Distance from here, and I concluded that would not suit you.  I have Sold Dave for $1400 to settle up a difficulty that I got into by going Security for Bro Dock, and have settled it, and have $1000 left which I wish to invest in Bluford.  And if you are willing to take that amt Down and my note & security bearing interest for the Bal----payable in Six or twelve months.   You may consider it a trade and the money will be At your service in a month from this date.

           Another Proposition.  I own the 320 acre tract of land which Dock lived On upon Cedar, to pay for which I was compelled to sell Dave.   We paid For the Place $950.00   The place is yet bound for about $300.00 Purchase money  & I am determined to sell it to pay it out and as there Is not much money I will likely have to sell at a sacrifice & if you wish To invest in land I'd rather let you have it at a sacrifice than any one Else    No one who is acquainted with the land values it at less than $1000.00.   There are good improvements on it.   Sixty acres under cultivation, and Plenty of Good timber &c.   200 out of  the 320 is No. 1 hickory land.  Now I will let you have his place in part payment for Bluford at $750.00  and pay Bal in cash,  and I'll assure  you that would Be a good investment for woodland is worth $2 pr acre,  and if I was able To Keep this I would not touch less than $4.00 pr acre.  Write me soon And oblige.

        Alls well    In Haste   Yr Bro

J M Noble

May the 18 AD  1860

Dear brother Seb
        I write now to inform you of the Death of my dear little George yes my little George is gone too.      He was taken sick on Friday the 11 and dyed the 16      his disease I suppose was Pneumonia, the Dr was with him the evening before he dyed at night or rather morning    he did not talk like he thought he was any ways dangerous     sayed he would not come back to see him any more,  he was very sick on Tuesday evening & night but we thought it was the medicine that was making him so sick      the Dr sayed it would make him sick, we did not know he was any wors untill death struck about mid night   he breathed his last between 4 and 5 oclock AM     we buried him that evening by the side of Aramintas little babe's.     Oh! Seb  if I could have laid him by his Pa I would feel so much better;  it is so hard to give them up,  my dear Husband & sweet Babe, but I feel asured to day they are in Heaven, with the loved ones that have gone before,  my loss is there gain   they can never come to me,  but I can go to them.  Our seperation will be but a few days    Seb it some times seems to me that an all wise Providence deals hard with our family   the ones that we think we most kneed and could not get along without are the ones that are taken away,  he has kneed of them too   it is all right     not a murmur should escape our lips    we have the consoling consolation of knowing that  those that have been taken were all prepared, in a few short years and we will all be gone.   Seb in Mr Noble's last & dying moments he did not speak of any that was absent but you.  He sayed, my dear let us pray for Seb,  I reckon he prayed in his life       he sayed tell him my dear , to pray and go with the rest of us to Heaven,  these were the very words he expressed in the last moments of his life.   Language failed me  I could not tell you, when  I was with you,  this was the principal reason for writing to you today for I felt it to be my duty and could not put it off any longer.

      I will try to be reconciled to the will of God, this was done for some wise pupose   we know not what.  No I would not call them back to this vain and sinful world again, I feel assured that their spirits are together in Glory,  I greive not for them but for those that are here and seem so indifferent about the all important thing,  what will it profit us if we should gain the whole world and lose our soul,  think of this Seb and put it off no longer.  Death comes at an hour when we least expect it.

      Jane & Kate are well except Kate has the sore eyes   Mc's folks were well yesterday    come to see us when convenient

affectionately  your Sister
Mary  I. Noble

P S  since looking over what I have written I feel rather at a loss whether to send it or not,  if I have written any thing that I ought not to have done it is through weakness

Forgive me.                                         Mary

Rusk Co. Texas  May the 20th  {1860}

Dear Brother
        It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of Dear little George   he was taken sick   had some fever on the night of the 11th inst Friday    on Saturday they gave him some simple remidies thought it was from teething    on Sunday morning he seemd to be better but was worse again during the evening and night   On Monday we went down to see him   He was quite but thought it was from the medicine he had taken    in the Evening he was quite pert and playful    we all thought he was much better Tuesday morning Mc went down to see him and found he had been very sick all night    they then sent for Dr Galloway    he came gave him some medicine said the Babe would get along very well then and he should not come back any more unless sent for    but told Mary if George was very sick she was not to be alarmed as the medicine would have that effect     he was sick but slept most of the time until about midnight when he brought a piercing scream and died away for ten or fifteen minutes    he came too but continued having spasms and suffering immensly until 25 minutes after for oclock when his spirit took its everlasting flight to Heaven     yes High up in Heaven where no doubt it was welcomed home by his Angelic Father,  oh my Dear Brother  it is a source of so much happiness though he is gone to us to know he's in the Glory land with his Pa and the rest of our Dear Disseased Relatives    Where we will again be reunited to him if only we hold out faithful to the end    do my Dear Seb let us try to be prepared when we are called from this world of sorrow to Join that happy throng and let the old Family Chain which has been so long broken in this world be reunited in Heaven and not one link be missing    I pray Almighty God that this might be the case   Little George was buried at Cool Springs by our two little Sweet Babes.

         Poor Mary  it looks like it will kill her   she most idolized her Boy because he loked like his Pa    she has been sick ever since he was Buried    has Fever pretty much all the time.   The other Children are well Mr Lacey started Sunday morning after little George was taken sick after Catherine though he was better      and Uncle Tom on hunt of his sheep    He got a letter from Slone that more than half his sheep were Dead.    He was mad with you and all the rest of us because you did not go to see him when you was here

       We had a very good rain last Tuesday night but not a season. Health is generally good   Our Family's quite well    Our Babes are growing finely

      On Wednesday the 16  when we were sent for to see little George Die Marion Lockridge with Mc & Will   it was so dark they could not see and rained so hard they could not keep alight so they started riding against each other over diches in against fences &c  until John fell down with Marion  and hurt his shoulder and bruised him up considerably  his colar bone is broken is all the serious wound he received

     Generally Pierce was up last night with the rest of the horses looks fine     I must close  Mc is nursing

Your sister as ever
Write soon   A D Mc

Kemp Tx  May 29th  1860.

Dear Seb,
        Your communication came to hand a few days since & in response I Must say, first from ill luck  bad judgement or something of the sort I Am unable to send you any money.   I am quite sorry that it is so, but I Will make a plain statement of the facts and leave you to Judge whether Or not I have disappointed you willingly or not.   Mr Shaw with-holds a Part of what he was owing me on account of Dave's sickness. He says he thinks he was injured when I sold to him, there is no prospect now of Getting more money from him until some permanent change takes place in Dave's health & than if he dies or becomes worthless he will sue me &c. Barnes nor John nor any body else have or will pay me any money, so you See I'm at my rows end   Know not what to do.   I will promise however to Do my Best.  Please inform me when you will be compelled to have the Money & I will raise it at any hazard,  as I can do it one way I Know. I shall do my best to collect from those who owe me, and if I fail I will Raise the money in another manner when ever you are compelled to have it. I've been quite fortunate in monied matters;  have not met my own Expectations nor yours.  I'm sorry foor it but can't help it.  You have The privelige at anytime as before offered you, to take Bluford back and Dispose of him to a better advantage.  I appreciate you Kindness to me, But do not wish you to sacrifice anything on my account, please deal with Me in this matter as your own interest may demand.

        Crops are fine, nearly every one & even your youngest Bro expects To gather forty bushels corn pr acre.  We need rain some now,  but have No fears in regard to its coming as the prospect is quite favorable this Evening.

        John says not as much about moving now as when you were up, says he don't know how he'll manage to save all his corn.

        I've no news of importance, all the Kemp folks are well.  There has Been no steps taken yet with the 200 acre tract of land of the Able's league.  Land is rising here now, and considerable emmigration.  Election excitement is getting up, and I think our county will soon be relived from the misrule of men who are subject to all kinds of outside influences in opposition to a faithful & impartial discharge of official duty.

        Let me hear from you soon---Hattie sends her love.

Your Affec'te Bro   J.M.Noble

Kemp, June 4th AD 1860

S M Noble
Dear Brother
        Being delirious to hear from you I concluded to drop you a line in The hope of eliciting something from you in Return.  I have no news of Special interest to communicate  no one of your acquaintances dead or Married or Runaway that I know of.  We are all in excellent health at present have plenty to eat - plenty of spare time to Rest and most Excellent appetite to enjoy it.  The farmers are about through harvesting their crops of grain, which has turned out much better than was expected some months since full half crops made I suppose.   The prospect for corn is truly flatering-the best I have seen in the country since 52 and with one or two more good rains at the right time there will be a super abundance of breadstuff for the next year, a little rain just at this time would be of advantage though we are not suffering.  John has an excellent crop of corn and cotton, wheat moderate --  Rye and oats first rate,  but he is still in the notion of hunting a school if we cannot get one here next year which I hope we will succeed in doing, as I am satisfied that it will be to his disadvantage to leave here.  If he does leave he and I will have to part company as I have made up my mind to Spend at least ten more years here if I should live so long, unless I should meet up with some very strong inducement to leave.

        I am still engaged in that delightful and profitable vocation to Wit, cow hunting,  have done nothing else this year but will strike out in few days now on an electioneering tour, as I have concluded to give Jo Chisholm a Race for Assessor & Collector.  The chance for success I know is a bad one, but the office is worth an effort any how. If I could have a single Race with Joe I believe I could beat him but there is another candidate and the chances are in Chism's favor   I was at Kaufman at district court last week and Received considerable encouragement from a number of persons from different portions of the County,  and my opinion is that if I don't act the fool between now and the election that I will interest him smartly.  Jessee Caruthers is a Candidate for Sheriff ---has only 9 opponents   his chance for election Is good I think.  The Generals and family are well, he has been coming down pretty tite to the hoe lately, part of his crop is fine - part not so good.  Fathers crop I am told is not good   he is very much behind with his work and family enjoy good health.  Sam is thriving, has an excellent crop  I cannot come down til after the election, then I expect to visit you    Write soon, my Respect to all    John & Bina send their love

Your Brother
S E Noble

Kemp  Sept 5th 1860

Ever Dear Seb
         With gratitude I acknowledge the reeception of your letter for I had Not heard of you in some time.    I did not answer immediately because our mails were all stoped in consequence of high water      Im so glad you came to Mc's and had a few days recreation with our Dear friends with whom you could not help but enjoy yourself  and now our time next      are you coming this fall say about the last of oct at which time we will have a presbyterial meeting and I rekon the funeral of Our ever lamented George. O Seb  my Dear Brother  come if you can      there are few of us and if we can meet once  in while what a source of joy     Mary will remain with us until after that time      any how  She says She'll look for that letter now      they got to Paps Saturday night after night      All our Settlement are well Messrs Garrets  Wren and Hindman arrived here yesterday    the former will rent Mary's place I expect for next year     Mr Hindman speaks of buying a Place in Kaufman     You had better come and get your place before its too late      Robert will be off to Waco  e'er this reaches you     Our grass looks fine since the late rains and I hope Pearce will get fat now    John has Been feeding him     With warmest love to you     I must close

M K W

Write immediately

Kemp Tex.  Oct. 14th  1860

Dear Bro Seb,
         I am heartily ashamed of the manner in which I have treated you since I saw you, and that you may be satisfied that motives of pure honesty & integrity have actuated me all the while, I will give you a brief sketch of the circumstances which have surrounded me.  Shortly after you left there came up from N.O. against me a note for $600, which I was fully confident had been paid.  I refused paying it,  suit was brought & judgement for Plaintiff obtained, so I had to pay or suffer Property sold.  Then came the Bal of land debt vs. Doc & myself which I had of course to settle.  Again, I was owing some in Philadelphia, but when I sold my interest to Hanks in Md Prairie, I took his obligation to Settle those claims,  he failed to do so, & they came out against me (& some are against me yet, which will serve to harrass me until I can collect from Hanks).  So you see Seb,  circumstances of the probability of the existence of which I had not a thought when you & I traded have Compelled me use what money I could collect or else have my property hammered at upon the Stump & as a consequence my head bowed down & countenance sunken.   I should have written to you with this explanation long since,  but I hoped & continue hoping that I would meet with an oportunity of getting the money  or at least a part and send you & thus hoping & hating to approach you with such a poor tale  I deferred writing until now.  Now Seb just think of all the circumstances & justify what of my conduct you can and what you can't, forgive.

        But now comes the worst, what am I and you to do?  I have money Owing me but cant collect, & hence no hope on that score to pay you soon. I have only two chances to raise you the money, viz: to Mortgage or sell Bluford or to make it by Carrying off stock Horses and Beeves, the former I will do only as a last resort, the latter I am now preparing to try, I have a drove of B-s partly made up & will likely be off with them in three weeks.  I hope to make some money on them, will return through N---by Dec 1^st.

        Now Seb you have it all before you, what I have tried to do, what I have done, what I am trying to do and my chances for success.

        If now you prefer taking the negro back than wait longer on my exertions I am perfectly willing for you to do so.  I can say he is the Best negro I ever saw, the most trusty & manageable.  And I would not, If you were paid, take any price for him.  But you are not paid and I want you to have him if you want him.  And if you conclude to take him I advise you not to sell him if you expect at any time to have use for a Faithful trusty negroe, & one that knows hoe to do about anything.  Please answer immediately & in the mean time I will do my best to get the money.

        Father says he can't pay you till Christmas.

        Alls well   Mary is up, no news.

Your affectionate Bro
J. M. Noble

Kemp Texas  Nov 27th 1860

Dear Seb-
        I resume my Seat to night to drop you a line, thinking that you would like to hear from the inhabitants of Kemp, and of our doings, and it may be that you may think that I have been Some what remiss in writing, but you may rest assured that It was not for want of desire or inclination but from actual want of time,  and Something to communicate worth your reading and I doubt very much If I will be able to manufacture any thing to night worth sending  So far and liable to cause disappointment, thinking that you was receiving Something from the Office when you will Likely realize nothing.  My time has been Spent this fall  in having my Willow Bottom land cleared up for farming purposes.  I have about 40 acres of It -mostly ready for the plow.     I tried a little of it the past summer and find it the most reliable land we have for corn of a dry Year.  I have and intend to put all my Prairie land down in small grain I have about 34 acres in wheat with what I have in the main field & my pasture lots I have about 14 acres in Rye & Barley   the balance of 60 acres I intend to Sow in Oats in the Spring    that will leave me 70 acres for corn in the Timber as I do not intend to plant any more cotton at least until I think I can make Spinning Cotton for Malvina off of 24 acres which I failed to do this year.   My Wheat Rye & Barley is as good As I would have If for the Season.  The worm or fly damaged the first I planted but to no great Extent.  I have had to make a trip to Waco. Just returned last week.   I went out after Robert, he was taken Sick & was not able to attend School.  Dick wrote me his condition and I took Tex & the buggy, Wm and the Genl Pierce and went after him. I found him quite feeble but able to Sit up in the Buggy.  I brought him home with me and he is now getting well fast,  he had only one fever after I reached home and that was the day after he got home,  I took Wm & the Genl along to Send back after my Dr in the event that I found Robert confined to his bed.   The balance of us all are well & have been So uninterruptably throughout the year for which Blessing I feel grateful.  Harriett has been and is Still a little sick  also her Babe.  They were Both taken Sick after Roe & Doc Started to New Orleans   the Babe has got well and Harriett is Getting well.  I think She will be up in a few days.  Your Fathers health is very good    much better than usual with him,  he is preparing to move East of Cedar Creek   intends moving Some time this winter.  This Cotains the news of all that you are interested in about Kemp.  Except You would like to have a word about Granny Shaw, of her I will Just say she is hiring out her Negroes & selling Butter trying to get the last Dollars.  My Spanish Stock look fine   they are all in fine condition and I think that the best investment I ever made.

        Our election passed off quietly  Breckenridges Majority in our County was about 450 over the Fusion Ticket but Since we have heard of the Genl Result and that Lincoln is Elected Some of our citizens met in Kaufman on Monday the 19 inst  and dissolved the Union and raised the Banner of the lone star which I am told Still triumphantly waves over the inhabitants of Kaufman --- Our District Court is now in Session in it's second & last week.  Judgement had been confirmed against me as admr on one of Ables notes, this note they had Judgm against George & I was made party to the Suit.  I do not Know what course they will pursue now   They may wait until they can get Judgement against me on The other note before offering the land for Sale or they may order it sold under the present Judgement.  Shaw & Ables has been Juggling about the land in Some way the nature of which I do not Know,  I Know It is his Intention to take every advantage he can in the premises --- I have now closed my sheet, have written you a poor letter but it is the best I could do to night.  Write to us soon & I will write to you when I can give you a readable letter.  When will you be up to See us.

Yours Truly
John M Watkins

(on back) did you get your Hungarian grass seed.  I started you half Bushel the day after Roe recd your letter---John

Kemp Tx  May 6th 1861

Dear Seb
        Yours informing me of your safe arrival home &c came to hand a few Days since.  I was becoming rather impatient to hear from you and had just written but had not mailed my letter and upon receipt of yours destroyed my former epistle.  Nothing out of the ordinary train of events has transpired since your departure.  We hav had great excite- ment in the county on account of a murder committed in Kaufman on the Person of one Mr Moore by Messrs Wm & Newton Gibbs & which was considered by the community as criminal in the highest degree.  Mr Moore & one of the Gibbs's had a quarrell an hour or so before the murder  No blows were struck however & nothing Serious anticipated, but soon after the two Gibbs' above named, armed one with a blacksmith hammer and the other with a grubbing hoe attacked Moore on the street, knocked him down & Chopped him up in a most horrible manner causing his death almost immediately.  Upon trial before a J.P. one of tehm was bound in the insignificant sum of $1500.  For his appearance at Dist. Court.  The trial of the other was delayed several days when he was admitted to bail on a Bond of $10,000 which bond is considered invalid.  The community was greatly exasperated at the Justices and for some days threatened their extermination  but prudent counsel at length prevailed & all is quiet. The murderers at large ready to commit like crimes again.  Mr Moore the Decd. Was bro to a Moore living in your county, said to be a very large man     you perhaps know him, he was written to and is looked for continually. If he comes and seeks revenge he will have plenty of backers even should he go so far as to kill the murderers.

        We have had excitement also of a different character within the last two weeks.  The young folks seemed to get in marrying mood all together and caused quite a blurry among the old folks around; among the number were Willie & Katie Parsons, Willie married Miss Graves and Katie Married Mr. McMurry all of Kaufman.  I was on hand & enjoyed myself very well & from all I saw became convinced that every man that suits & can be suited should marry     no advice to you however on this subject.

         War news is very exciting.  We've just heard of Jeff Davis' departure from Montgomery to Richmond Va for the purpose of leading the forces there against the City of Washington, which is being strongly fortified and well fixed up for battle. Every thing possible is being done to prevent the passage of Confederate forces North.

        Since our Governors proclamation calling for troops to be in Readiness to march to war our light infantry companies have blown away. They refuse to put.  Esqr English is now making up a company by authority from the Governor to proceed immediately East.  Doc & Sam McElrath are going they think to startin in a few weeks.  I am sorry my business confines me at home, did it not I would go with Doc.

        Farming interests here are very flattering, wheat is nearly ripe, Corn is growing rapidly.  We've had excellent seasons so far.  John Watkins even Can find no fault so far in the seasons, he yet speaks of moving tho' his prospects are fine here.  There will be more wheat Harvested in this Country than ever before.

        I talked to Father about the Stock he says (if he can raise the money)  when he collects all his stock & ascertains how many he has &c. That if he can spare them he will turn over to me a sufficient number to pay the debt &c.  I'll do my best to get them & may succeed.

        Don't give yourself any trouble about money for me,  if I don't get the cows I can do without the money for as long as it will be of service to you.

        I have no more news.  Health is good throughout the Country. I Must close - Write soon.     Affectionately

Your Bro
J. M. Noble

Kemp Tex  June 16th 1861

Dear Brother Seb,
        Yours of the 1st inst has just been recd.  I had heard nothing from You for so long a time that I had concluded that you had gone to the war. I heard that a company had gone from Nac in response to the late call & I presumed you were with them & have been looking for you here for the last few days, Knowing that you would come by this being very little off the route from Nac to Dallas.  There has been great excitement here for several days.  Soldiers in great numbers have passed on their way to Dallas.  I was in Kaufman the day that Tyler, Henderson, Cherokee, Panola & Shelby Companies passed through.  They were received with the greatest possible enthusiasm, were addressed by three of our attorneys midst deafening cheers & flowing tears, addresses in reply were delivered by Maj. Armstrong & Col. Ector of Henderson & others.  I never witnessed Such an excitement before.  The Soldiers were treated to all the luxuries of our country, fed & entertained by our Citizens free of charge. some of our citizens paying each the hotel fare of forty soldiers out of their own purses.  The Tyler Henderson & Cherokee companies are of the first Order both as the man & horses & seemed to be fully embued with The "war spirit"    Young Tom Lacy & Jo. Smith of Henderson were with the Company from that place.  Tom came by and staid with me one day & two nights.  Je Wynne is also a member of the company.  A company has been organized here and has gone on to Dallas but the general impression is that it will not be received, the regiment being already formed from the Eastern countires.  Bro Doc & Sam McElrath are gone in this company.  We were very sorry for Doc to go for reasons Known to you.  I am very anxious to go & shall avail myself of the first opportunity that offers for immediate active service to enlist.   My impression is that in less than three months all our services will be required in the bounds of our own state, and no man will remain at home for want of an oportunity to go.  I am told there are now at Dallas hundreds belonging To no company who have gone there hoping to find a vacancy in some company that they might enlist.  Many followed companies from the eastern counties for the same purpose.

        We have no late news, are anxiously waiting for intelligence from The US Congress hoping some peace may be enacted      if not that the course of the Fedl. Government will be plainly defined that we may know how to meet it.

        Some of us would hav ebeen on Sohoober e're this but for the prevailance of measles here.  It's some what doubtful now whether or not we all go.  John makes out that he wants to go to look out a place To move to but no body believes it.  He has excellent Crops, says he'll make 34 Bls corn per acre.  Health is good here with the exception of Fathers family, who are having some sickness in the way of fever &c. Lizabeth & Jeff are sick at this time, not seriously however.  I have secured the cows from Father and according to instructions put them in my Mark  it was not an easy job to get them as he was very reluctant to give them up,  hoping that something might turn up that would enable him to get the money.

        We heard from Mc's by Tom Lacy, Mc folks were well.  Miss Cath Lacy had typhoid fever   was improving some.

        We all have fine prospects for crops and are safe of Corn now and If we have one more rain there's no telling how much corn we will make. We have made enough wheat to bread the people two years without corn.

        Wheat will open at 4 bits I think & other grain in proportion. All Kinds of Stock are low  except war steeds, for which there is great demand at good prices.

        I must close.  Write soon All the news.  Don't leave for the War without informing us.

Truely Your Brother
J. M . Noble

Kemp Tex  Aug 24th  1861.

Dear Brother
        Your favor of the 18^th inst, was received yesterday.  I had heard Nothing from you in several months and was at a loss to know what had become of you, was fearful you had gone to war & had forgotten to inform us of your departure.  I have been very much in the war spirit for some time and have used my influence to get our company off.  I thought a Few weeks ago that we would certainly go to Mo. As most of the company seemed anxious and there were 3 reg. Ordered from this section, but we could get in no regiment except one commanded by Col. B W Stone who by Deception only obtained his commission and knowing him to be incompetent and otherwise unfit for such a position we refused to go under him by over two thirds vote.  And as we will probably have no other oportunity of going soon I presume we will remain at home unless called for the Protection of the state.  We are a state company recognized & commissioned by the Gov.  but willing to serve our country anywhere needed.  I am Thankful for your advice on this subject,  think it good and if calls for soldiers are not  too frequent and responses too few I may follow it.

        We have a report current here and believed very generally that McCullock & Federals have had a fight at Springfield Mo.  Federals defeated but at a terrible sacrifice of our troops.  Tis said that four hundred of the Tex' Reg' were killed, that Capt. Chisholm's Com' of Kaufman County were nearly all killed in consequence of going into the Fight about unarmed  having only such arms as they carried from home. Doc & Sam Mc were in Capt Mabry's Company from Marion County, well armed & well mounted.  25^th  - by Papers recd. Yesterday the rumor of the Battle at Springfield is confirmed, but nothing known certainly as to the losses, said to be great on both sides.  I feel great anxiety for our Reg'.  They were keen for fight, & great reliance was placed on them by McCulloch & their determination to sustain their reputation as "the Bravest of the brave"  has I fear caused them to rush incausiously into the hottest of the fight without being sufficiently sustained causing much loss & sacrifice.  I hope very soon to hear from our boys.

        There are several companies in this county preparing to leave, two for Mo., one for Va.   The Health of the Kempites is (with the exception of Fathers family) good.  Father is very feeble   has been sick nearly two months, has gradually grown weaker and is now unable to get out of the House.  He thinks however that he has improved some in the last few days. He is now under the treatment of Dr. Snow & I hope (tho' I fear the contrary)  he will get up.  His family have been sick all the time since the sickly season set in   sometimes all sick at once, but two or three of us in this Section have escaped.  I among the few have had good health, The sickness has been very light.  Crops have turned out excellently, Plenty made for two years consumption.

        J M W___ will leave in a day or two for Rusk & Nacogdoches Counties to select & buy a home.  If you see him please assist him in the selection., he wants a place with never failing good water, good land, timber & range.  Convenient to good Schools, Churches & good society & close to a Market where the demand for produce is great enough to induce purchasers to pay a good price & take it at the farm.  He also wants to be sufficiently near the Prairies to get from thence, Flour, beef, butter, &c.  Can you show him such a place?  I intended going down with him but have declined in consequence of all ill health of Father & business.  I shall visit Mc's sometime during the ensuing fall, after I have determined upon the time  I will write to you & hope you will meet me there.  Nothing of importance transpiring in "these parts". All kinds of peoperty very cheap save good horses which are in great deman.  I traded my Celim horse (that you so much admired)  for a Fine Mare & got $20 to boot.  If you are still anxious for an investment in stock now is your time while it is cheap. I know where 80 or 100 head of good sheep can be bought for $2 ½  pr hd.  Not 20 miles from here, maybe lower for cash.  If I had the wherewith, I would invest.  If you have it & wish to invest in that way write immediately & I will secure them for you.

        I intend giving my attention hereafter principally to stock & could Attend to some for you as easily as not.  I got the stock from Father Paid him $15 for picked out cows & calves, got a fine lot for him.

        I must close for time.

        Write immediately,

Affectionately
Your Bro  J. M. Noble

P.S.  26^th  Father is better this morning.

At Mc  Rusk Co

Nov'r  6th  1861

Dear Seb,  I write you a line this Evening as I promised you.    I have but little of interest to write.     I was in Town to day, at the Election Graham had a majority of 220 votes at the Henderson Box over Hubbard his opponent.   My folks are still at Mc      I want to try and get home next week.   I have my cabbins up and ready to cover.   I have dug a well and Got plenty of good water at Twenty feet.    Wm McAnulty Reached home this Evening on Furlough until the first of next month when they meet again at Coffeeville in Upshur County to march direct to Missouri.     Wm looks to be in fine health,  he left Kemp on Monday morning last.     Your fathers Family were still feeble      Harriett had moved to Town.    Garrett was the only Resident of Kemp.    Wm brought your horse Pierce down with him   he is here ready for you    he had got back to Tom Rogers three miles above my place on Cotton Wood and was taken up and Advertised by him.    Your Father heard of him and went after him.   I expect he was there all the time you was hunting him as he had been there Several days before he was advertised. I want to start my wagons back to Kaufman the first of next week--- I Shall follow on in a few days myself.

          Mr Stone's oldest son Died on last night.   Mc went over there this Morning and has not Returned yet

         My family keeps well Except Jesse, he had Some fever to day --  The Osnaburg you Sent Come Safe to hand to night, for which accept my thanks. You must try and come up before William starts for Missouri.  I will try and get back from Kaufman before that time

     Write to us Soon and oftner and come as Soon as you can

Yours truly
John M. Watkins

Kemp Tex  Mar 5th  1865

Dr Jas H Starr
Marshall Tx

Dear Sir
        I have been requested to give you information relative to the stock of Cattle belonging to the estate of S. M. Noble.  They have been in my charge but since my enlistment in the army ( Sept. 8th / 61) have  (as well as my own)  been almost entirely neglected.  There were about twenty-five head,  but judging from the decrease in other stocks under similar circumstances, I think I am warranted in saying not more than half remain.  I will collect them while at home & give you further information.

        I hold a note vs. the estate with a balance of Two hundred & thirty six ($234.) Dolls. Principle & int'st due at present date.  I wish to come in possession of some articles belonging to the estate & desire to exchange the note for them at appr'sd value.  If you desire to take up the note in this manner & will instruct your agent at Nacogdoches to do the business it may be done while I am there which will be in about ten days,  say fifteen days.  I would be pleased such an arrangement could be made.

Very Respectfully
J. M. Noble