of age James Andrew 6 years old & Elenor Jane a few months old. James
made no will but the law of this Satae is very just in that case, The
widow is allowed a certain portion of the property of the husband
during her lifetime & of this portion the husband could not deprive
her even by will & the children are allowed a fair distribution of the
remainder of the property personal & real. I have administered on the
property I don't yet know what property he will have left after the
discharge of his debts it will depend on whether all his money due him
can be collected My hands are very full of business as I have our
partnership concern & James' own private business to attend to. we have
a large stock of goods on hands & a great many debts due us & of course
we owe a considerable amt. I intend selling out our Stock of goods &
the whole establishment as soon as possible & closing the business &
until then I cannot tell whether we shall have made much money or not.
6ur expences are very heavy in the southern country let us be ever so
economical, If I have made any thing of account I shall certainly visit
my old home but it must still be some time ere I can promise myself
that pleasure. My tie to this
Country has been greatly weakened since my
but we should be in continual expectation of
the old and the young cut down suddenly how
some time since had Jas. for life when
who had been lingering under pain & sickness
off & I am spared how mysterious are the
I received three letters during the past
my Brother's &..
Brother Robt. which
all the changes in
also one from
affection & one from
Robt. Cordner tells
them at full length
always had a dis
their native land
any other Country
onwards at Indn
is my tempora
possessing many advant
my Country with all
things I know I a
dollar the dozen Brother
my health is now quite
enjoy good health in
embrace you all &
kindest love to Brother
Br Jas got a letter
best respects also to their
recollect me also to Sister Dinah & Bro. Robt. Dickey
Phenix & Sister Amelia & Br. Cordner & Broth
his Lady also to my Aunt Wright & Cousin Be
& family Aunt Singleton & family & my unc
Broomhedge & Davy Anvil & all my old friends
me worth enquiring after tell Brother Robert that
Andrew Richey, Clinton, Mississippi, to his parents, Ireland, 2 January 1837
Description
Andrew Richey writes to his parents of the death of his elder brother James, following his extenisve absences the previous summer and autumn in Louisiana, purchasing land from the Government — where he had taken ill from exposure and fatigue. On his deathbed he had sent for a Methodist preacher with whom he sang and prayed and Andrew noted his death was hard on his "tender wife". He explains that she was now left with three children, with their seven-year-old son Josiah having died last July but that the state law guaranteed that even as James had no will, she will get a fair portion of the property as will the children. Richey intends to sell-up and close their business stating that if he makes any profit at all he will visit home, adding "My tie to this country has been greatly weakened since [Final part of letter is damaged]".
Title and transcript by Professor Kerby Miller. This transcript includes handwritten corrections to original transcript from PRONI, made with reference to original letters. Letter description by University of Galway.
