Central States, Lawman and Outlaws Historic Association: Crossing the Frontier 1839 a Letter Home: By G.C. Stevens

Photo courtesy of the library of congress

Crossing the open frontier was a taunting task fraught with danger. But the hope of a better life drew settlers further west. Letters written home to relatives told the tales of the hardships and triumphs of spirit of the early settlers. One such letter was written by pioneer John Morgan. They original letter (copied below) was difficult to read due to the fading and cursive style used. The author of this article highlights what could be deciphered. Question marks (?) appear where words could nor be read.

CROSSING FROM TENNESEE TO MISSOURI

Dear Mother, I have taken my pen in hand to write you a few lines hoping these lines may find you in the same state of health, we landed on tolerable well. We came to the Ohio bank it was a very good river, very sandy, and we had to wade the water. I walked on with the children & Jonathan. John is a little restless. The 1st day Mr. Morgan was very sick. A week after we got home 3 days we crossed a stream but we rolled through it and came on travelling hard things and worst coming. We landed at the Mississippi River and crossed next morning at Greens Ferry. Mr. Morgan Reuben Simpson went a cross & I staid 3 days & pole William Morgan. They are all well at this time. One of the children died in the travel. We want you to send for mother Morgan. I hear the land and the richest land we ever saw is the Mississippi bottoms.

Jackson Morgan and Susan Turner Morgan approx. 1839

We would a settled here but the water was very bad it was very sickly. The 2d Sunday in travelling the wagon turned us side down a bank. Every thing is in good order in it notwithstanding the Reuven family is hearty. Adams is as far as far as one they are beware well all aged I will tell you in the next letter while whether I am please or not. We are on rented land at this time. There is 15 acres of cleared land. Give the (?) as naught it best for a snow. Our [?] makes this his home & is trading & [?] bought charge with 50 [?]. The place we expect to settle is 2 miles below Mr. [Cumings?] on Beaver Creek a branch bottom 175 acres a first rate spring.

Mr. Morgan is again to help Reuben Clear and wants to clear as much as we can find and Clear. There is a good , 300 acres spring & a plenty of timber. The beloved place is from 50 to 375 . It is said to be better than to settle there. Really for there is not much land that can be settled only one there every of on the I . I never saw [?] I make choice [?] or on the account of larger bodies of land and it can be there [?]. I have not looked [?] much [faded] going over on white river. The great bodies of land it is said that there can be 1000 acres in it. 7 hundred acres of corn it is supposed to be. it is 2 or 30 miles [?]. In last year there can be a good. made in this settlement if any minister should happen in. There was preaching here the 7th of this month. The people [?] and an [?]. By [?] I am in [?]. [faded] horse I always [?] 20 head of hogs we bought corn [?] [?] he has sold 200 [?] worth [?]. I have cut and made 1 coat it is first [?] [?] another in the house to make. The drought was great the crops was short but on the [?] and very [?] [faded] year there is a long [?]. They [?] [faded] I have a [?] [faded] [?] I [?] [faded] [?] [faded]. [more about expenses, horses, etc.]

They sell from 12 to 15 [?]. They are doing well [faded]. [mentions working, family members like Jerry, etc.]

Closing section:

... The post office is kept at the mouth of [?] [faded]

[Signed] John Morgan