Deaths of Harriet Simpkins Gleaves, Jane Ramsey Stamp and Thomas' wife, Sally Smith Gleaves

Nashville, Te.
Feb 12

James T. Gleaves
Buffolo Ford
Post Office
via

State of Tenn. Davidson County Feb 4th 1846

Dear brother and sisters I take my pen in hand to inform you of my troubles and loss of friends last July about the 20th of the month Jane Ramsey Stamp was brought to bed with twin children her and the children all died. The same day my son Wm. B Gleaves(') wife was sent to bed and had a young daughter born and flooded fainted and died in seven hours the child lived and is doing well.
More troubles I have seen many a merry Christmas but the last ballanced for all. My beloved companion departed this life on the 24th of December and was buried on the 25th Christmas Day. Her complaint was imflamation of the stomach she suffered three weeks and departed. During this time I was down with a sore leg her in one bed me in another my leg is perfectly well at present.
I went to the grave when we buried her. It being a cool day I took the pleurisy and am not clear of it yet. I believe with care I shall recover again. I am about a little at present and hope to recover.
Sally left me on a short notice I did not have much conversation with her. Her breath would not admit more than two or three words at a time. I am hard of hearing She called Nancy Ann and desired us all to leave the room. She informed her that she was going to rest and told her what to do with her clothing and asked her if she was going to get married Nancy Ann answered she was, and accordingly was married on the 20th of January to Mr. Cherry west of my farm half mile

I have no house keepers but the black girls I am obliged to attend to business my self Frank said he will get a wife to keep house shortly then I will be at liberty
If my wife had lived until the 23 of May next she would have been 70 years of age. And if she had lived until the 16th day of march next we would have been married fifty years.
The comminication(?) is all well except had coals(?), you must write to me and let me hear from you, nothing more at present but (illegible) in your loving brother until death
Thomas Gleaves

(The following two postscripts appear to be written by a different hand.)

I as(k) you will please to answer my letter at the receipt of this.

I wish Sister Nancy would come and Spend this Summer With me it would be a Satisfaction to me to see her at my dwelling Once more Sister Malvina a lock of my hair also a lock of my beloved Companions hair for her to keep for her sake as a Sister

Thomas Gleaves