Condolence for Loss of Father, Health of Grandmother Esther ______ Gleaves, Rafferty, Woolman

[Seal]

James T. Gleave Esq.
Wythe Cty
V----a

Waynesborough, VA
June 14, 1820

Monday, June 12th 1820

Dear Nephew,

Your letter came to hand on Saturday the 3rd inst at which time I was gone to Richmond and returned on Saturday last. I was sorry to hear of the death of your aged parent and my respected uncle but at the same time feel a satisfaction that I am enable to draw the conclusion from your information that he died with a hope of happiness hereafter which I feel assured must give you and all the rest of his family and relations a great satisfaction and on the other hand way should we repine at death knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die and from the advanced age of your deceased parent he could not be expected to live long(. F)or the above reasons I am of the opinion that we all ought to comfort ourselves with that inestimable man of old who very wisely observes the Lord giveth and

the lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I will not provid to give you some information respecting the situation of our family(. G)randmother has been very low so much so that we despaired of her recovery but she at this time is better and able to set up but she is very weak and I am of the opinion that she cannot last long(. T)he thread of life appears nearly exhausted. Mother enjoys as good health as a woman of her age can expect, but she has been more subject to brashes(?) The past winter and spring than she formerly has been but we must expect that age will bring on infirmities and she is now 74 years of age this day. Myself and family are well(.) James Gleave is nine months old the fourth day of this month and is as large as many children of twelve or eighteen months old. I am happy to hear that you contemplate visiting us the ensuring fall on you way to Richmond and am

in hopes you will make your arrangement so as to spend as much of your time with us as possible, from grandmother's very debilitative state we have thought it best not to make her acquainted with the death of your father as yet, Mother with myself and family join with your mother and family to lament the loss of an affectionate husband, a tender parent, a loving brother and a respected uncle(.) I must conclude by subscribing myself your I.C. V. C. (not entirely sure about these initials)

/S/ James Turk

Te: J. T. Gleave, Esqr