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Jacksonvill Fla. Oct 12th 87.
My Ever Dear
Charles It has been quite a long time since I last wrote you. Not that had had forgotten [?] all. But when Herbert comes back [?]. I have been quit busuy, just as every mother is for her children that you know. You can imagine Herberts feelings his lineliness, he was anxious to get home as there was some work to be done, such as making new side walk and he is anxious to get
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back to Willis, so dont feel hard toward him as he did not call to see you, you well can [??] his feeling and that is why I go with him to spend the winter. I hope it may do me good as I feel pretty well [?] [week?]. Calista was home a week before I left. She and family was well. I left Mrs Logan to take care of the house and things. I will return in the spring, I had a very [journey?] from home to this place, and feel quite well. It has been quite hot here till this morning [there?] is cool north-west wind and [?] feels like [soon?] but is to cool
Now Charles dont forget and write me while with boys. Waveland D[?] Co is their address, if you send your usual monthly kindness. I have Mrs Logan to take care of it for me and please dont send any more money. I trust and pray you may be blessed for your kindness to your Mother as you have ever been to me you have all way ben a good and dutifull childe. Remember me to all with much love
Ever yours Mother Bessey
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Waveland Fla Nov 20th 87
My Ever
Dear Charles. I was very glad to get a letter from you away down [hear?]. It dont seem possible that we are so far apart, and yet it is so, I cant relize that I am hear only by the mild pleasant weather that is hear. It is summer all the year, all kinds of insects are just as lively as in the summer North, and the mosquitoes are not to be forgotten as they are yet [?] [?] yet, I like, the country quite well, only it looks very [?] but it is selling up, [?] hear fountain [family?]
[written sideways:] care of things as she has no home. Now dear ones all Ihope you are all well I know you all miss dear L[?]. I hope and trust she may return safely to yet all [?] dear Minnie may [sooner?] [hav?] health again. Many thank dear boy for your kindness. Write again love to all from your Mother Bessey
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more and settled along the river since the boys are hear and last night tewo more was hear that are looking for land to make homes. The boys have a nice place, and it can be made a very nice place. It is a high point of land running in to the river [?] of north and south, and is a nice [Palm?] grove. They have a [farm?] Lemon Orange Limes Citron Bananas and soon, other kind of trees growing. The [?] apples look well and are very good, I have more than I can eate. A man sent a bunch of bananas to me that had [?] [two?] [?] thin [shaf?] is close to the water so as to launch this [?]. They are very busy making sail boats for a man from Baltimore.
He is coming to spend the winter at Lake North. The river hear is a mile wide. [?] 21[?] last night a strong north west wind came up and has ben blowing quite hard all day. The river looks quite angry and it is quite cool so we shut the doors and windows. No I havent see any alligators yet but have heard them growl a good ways of the boys said it was two or three miles of. It sounded like distant thunder, but I did see a bear. The boys and myself sailed to the beach [with?] twelve miles this place, [there?] was some Indian. They was after the bear and [?] while we was there. Oh it was a grand sight for me to see the [?] for the for the first time in my life
[written upside-down:] The boys send regards to all. Tuesday [?] all well had venison for breakfast very nice Willis is going to the Office [three?] [?] Love to all Mother B
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I enjoyed the [journey?] [?] [?] [?] [?]. The 8th [??] took a [?] from [?] to [?] [?] got [?] [?] [?] stand [?] Saturday [morning?] then took the [?] [?] [??] [?] [?] [?] was a [?] [bridge?] you [?] [?] [?] [?] [??] so we can [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] had to go back [?] [?] and we got of at a plac called Enterprise at Lake [?]. Had to [stay?] there till Friday evening [?] to [?] [?] [?] Saturday [?] took the boat for [??] [?] sailed all night, [stayed?] at [??] [day?] night and rested. Monday morning took the boate again and got by Willis place. After [?] I was glad to see him and he was glad
[written sideways:] for [?] but had ben a [way?] [or?] long I think [such?] I will go back [?] [?] if all goes well. Calista was [trying?] when I [?] [?] [?] and dstay a week with her [??] little [children?] [?] are [grown?] [We?] [?] [?] [?] Mrs Logan stays at home and takes