Brunswick Cty Vg April 16^th 1851

Dear Son

I take my seat to let you know that I am well, also Manurva & family & I hope this may find you and all enjoying the same good blessings. I hope you will excuse me for not writing to you sooner. I have had but little to write. I was happy to hear that you & your wife had professed religion. I pray that you both may hold out faithful & if we never meet on earth we may meet in heaven where parting will be no more. We make out to live as well as can be expected. Eliza teaches school & gives her Mother nearly all she makes. William has gone to Arkansas. He went last Oct with Mr. Richmond Dugger, son of Old Richmond Dugger. He has been with him something like four years working at the Taylors trade but was not bound. We have had two letters from him since he left. He says he will be able to come after his Mother & the children in four years at farthest. John G. Pearson was in at Christmas. He begins to look old. You must kiss your dear little children for me & tell them their old Grandmother wishes she could see them & their Mother. Manurva & the children sends their love to you & family. I have not heard from you Brother David since shortly after your Fathers death and Signal never writes, but I heare from him sometimes. He was well and doing well the last time I heard of him & in Georgia. I am now old & feeble & I have craved to see you all once more but I have nearly given up the thought of ever seeing you again. I live with the hope of meeting you in Heaven. I thank God that I have a hope beyond the Grave that bears me up under all my troubles & I feel like I shall leave this world in peace and be at rest in another. I am still living with your Sister. She has never made any profession of Religion. Eliza, her oldest child, is a member of the Methodist Church and has bin for nearly six years & she says she hopes to meet you & wife in Heaven. Your Sister Rebecca’s children were well the last I heard of them which has not bin many days. The two oldest of the girls have professed religon. Lousetta, the oldest, is a Baptist. Nancy, the one I raised, is a Methodist. We received the lock of hair & are thankful to you for it. I will keep it as long as I live & at my death will do as you request. When you get this please answer it when convenient. I will close my letter by remaining your affectionate Mother y until Death.

Rebecca Raney

To William J. Raney

Farmersville Union Parish

Louisiana