Strum.Ebenezer.G.1885.LETTER To Ebenezer G. Strum 1885 The following letter was written to Ebenezer G Strum. At this point I do not know who wrote the letter or exactly what the connection to Ebenezer is. The letter was written on a sheet of paper that I would say looks like the "Big Chief" writing tablets of a few years ago, a slight tan color, faded blue lines, written in red ink. The letter is literally falling apart where it was folded so many times. The envelope is 3 x 5 1/2 inches in size, purchased at a post office, with an embossed .02 cent postage imprint. The postmark is Jackson, Nov 10 AM 188_. The state does not show in the post office cancellation mark, nor does the day in November. I have transcribed the letter exactly as written, maintaining original spelling and punctuation. There are a couple of places where I could not make out what was written and I have shown that in ( ). Oct the 26th 1885 Madison Co. Tenn Oct the 25th 1885 Mr E. G. Strum Dear uncle i seat my self to write you a few lines to let you no that i havnt forgot you i would be verry glad to see you all this leaves us all Will at this time i hope this letter will reach you all in due time and finds you all injoying the same good helth i have not got any thing of importence to rite crops is verry short this year Cotton is not worth any thing hardly it ranges from 8 to 9 cts and that hardly payes a man for raising it Corn is worth $2/00 cts a Barrel Bacon is worth from 8 to 10 cts pr lb i can't think (_?_) of any thing of importence to rite at present more i send my bes love and respects to you and all of your folks my wife also sends her Best love to you and all the rest uncle E.G. i would bee glad if you or some of the folks wold come and spend the winter with us Down here in the Poor Country I Will have to close now i want you all to rite to mee soon and let me here from you all one time more in this life if we never meet no more on earth i hope that we will meet in heaven where parting will bee no more From James R Loyed to Mr E.G.Strum Direct to Carroll station madison Co Tennessee Reverse side of letter. Oct the 26th 1885 Carroll Station Madison Co.Tenn Mr E.G. Strum Dear Sir i take grate pleasure in writing you a few lines to inform you that we my famley is all well at this time i hope that these few lines may find you all injoying the same good helth Mr Strum i cant think of much to rite mee and octavie has Both mad a perfession of religian and is now a liveing and enjoying a happy Christion life to gether God Beens our only reffuge and strength i hope that we may live up faithful to our duty untell death and after death that we may ware the crown of richousness that our savour has prepared in his kindon for all that perfess to no and follow his footsteps i wall have to close soon octavie sayes she would Bee glad to see you agane in this life if it was so she could she says tell Elizebeth to rite to her that she would Bee glad to here from her any time that she has a mind to rite we will have to close now wee send our Best love and respects to all and want you to ebieve a portion your self this is from James H. and Octavie hurt To Mr E.G.Strum and all inquireing friends Contributed by: Nancy Trice If anyone know anything about this James H and Octavie Hurt or James R Loyed in Madison Co Tenn I would like to hear from you.