Death of daughter, Martha M. Curde

(Left side torn from Envelope)

To M. James T. Gleaves Esq
State of Virginia
Wythe County

Also torn but can read - attory

State of Ten                     Davidsonty                             May the 25  1832

            Dear Mother brother and sisters.  I feel thankful I am  spard  (spared) to embrace this opportunity to rite you a few lines to inform you that we are well at present.  Hoping these lines will find you all well when they come to hand.  It hath please the Allmity God to take my Daughter Marthy Curde from time to Eternity.  She Departed this life on the first Day of May in the morning a few minuts after seven in the morning  She was Delivered of a baby nine days previous to her death.  The infant live three or four days.  It is believed that she was the principal cause of her Death by freting about the Death of her infant.  Her friends were numerous and give every attention that was necessary.  The Doctor dun all in his power to save her.  God giveth and God taketh.  One concilation left her dearest friends to think of when they think of Martha M. Curde that on her dying head Jesus visited her sole and took her out of her sins and set on the rock of ages whare s0…orrow and trouble is no more.  She told me when she a woked out of her droussy slumber that she had a hope that the Lord would smile on her poor sole.  I told her to pray with every breath that a few hours longer would decide the fate with her in this world that God was about to execute his office.  She prayed constantly when awake but when her droussy spells would come on she would have a smiling countenance and when a wakd out of them she told me that she had a vue of her Jesus Christ and further told me she could see him at that time before her.  Her mother leep for Joy and praisd her Jesus that he came in to the world to save sinners.  She continued in her Droussy ways till she died and when she would awak out of them she still would express that she was willing to die and that all was well with  her.  She loved Every body and wished them to prepare to meet her in heaven whare trouble and sorrow is no more.  Dear Mother and brother the death of my Daughter Martha Curde is warning to all her friends and relations to prepare for Death.  She was about 20 years old.  The old must die and the young do die.  Dear brother you saw my daughter  Martha M. Cured when you was at my house.  You recollect her countenance.  Her and my little son William H. Harrison Gleaves that was killed by the fall of a tree had a strong resemblance of thar father.  God give me six children and has taken two out of that number.  The Allmitys will must be dun and not mine.  My children often talks about you and look up to you as a second father and if God nose (knows) my hart the longer I live the better I like you.  G. F. Hamilton family is all well.  Sally Hamiltons little Daughter Malvina is very fine child.  The Small Pox is within one mile of me and many other places in our country.  The people are very much alarmed ____ __

When I rote last to you I thought I would have been at your house before but circumstances alter cases. I was suppenied to attend Corte in two cases on third Monday in April last which prevented my starting to North Carolina. I allso received a kick from a young horse that wounded me very much. He kicked me just above the eie and cut it to the bone. If he had hit me in the temple he certainly would have kiled me. And on the hand and arm at the same time which laid me up for several weakes and the death of my Daughter with all the rest of my trouble come on at the time I was laid up with my wounds. It is uncertain now when I can go to North Carolina but will try to make it out this fall if nothing else occurs. We had the hard a winter heare last winter that ever was seen in Tennessee. The peach tree are nearly all kiled and grate many larg trees in the woods are dead. Crops of Wheat are very likley and rye and cotton are likley. Corn are small. Your friends are well as far as I now. You will please to answer this letter when you receive it and let me know how you all are and a doining and how Mrs. Crocket and family is and wheather that suite is determined between myself and Capt. Stephen Halsey and how times is in Wythe. Whether the suite is determined about Genel Sawyer Estate or not. You will please to talk to a Constable that lives about Wythe that has the management of Sally Grubs his wife and write what is the situation of her bidness and how it stands at this time - - -

The bearer of this letter is a very respectful man as far as I now -----

As Nothing more at present but send my love to my aged mother and you and family and Sister Nancy and Sister Porter and all of the family & believing you will take a portion to yourself and family and all enquiring friends.

Abs and Catharine Gleaves
To James T. Gleaves