1837 letr Elizabeth Forrest &dau Nancy L. Bookout

The following letter written at Economy in Randolph County, Indiana and dated December 3, 1837, was written by Nancy (Lumpkin) Bookout on behalf of her 71 year old mother, Elizabeth (Forest) Lumpkin, wife of Robert Lumpkin, both formerly of Halifax County Va. and Knox County, Tenn. and who migrated to Randolph County, Indiana about 1831. Robert and Elizabeth are both buried in Nettle Creek Cemetery in Southwest Randolph County. The letter was written and sent to Elizabeth & Robert's oldest son, John Lumpkin (1786-1860) of McNairy County, Tennessee. The original letter was folded, with the amount of postage and the person addressed to written on the outside and sealed in wax.

STATE OF INDIANA, RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Deer son, I take this opportunity of writing a few lines to let you no that we ar all in modret helt at this time, hopen that this few lines may fine you all in good helt. This is your mother ltter and this is her request that you wold cum her and see us and your mother wants to go home with you and see your country. she thinks that this country is two cole for her and if you git her munny from virginia, kip it until you cum her and see us. We ar looking for your brother Richard Lumpkin her ever day we here from him a few days ago and they was well and was doing well.

Joseph Bookout and his family is well and is doing well and james Lumpkin and his family is well and William Lumpkin and his family is. Thomas Bookout and his family is well and james Massey????? and his famley is well .

The children all piers to bee doing vary well and very well satisfied at this time. Joseph Bookout lost two of his cilden last spring with the scarlet fever. Crops ar good and ______

______ _____. This is your letter and and if you cant cume write to us and let us no how you ar all doing. So no more at present but remaines your Old mother until deth. Pray kepe mi monny until I see you and this is your mother letter and her request untill she see you.

So no more at presant but remanes your living mother until deth.

Elizabeth Lumpkin, December the 3, 1837

Anderson [LUMPKIN] is marred and is living with his father [ROBERT LUMPKIN] and his father willd him his land and tie is _____. December the 3, 1837

STATE OF INDIANA........RANDOLPH COUNTY

December the 3, 1837

Mi dear brothers, I take this opportunity of droping ur cracking (??) a few lines to let you no that we ar well at this time, hopen this few lines may fine your and family well. I think the time long sence I seen you all I wish to send mi love and best respect to you all. tell brother Washington that I hvnt for got how I youst to bee in his cumpenny and thinks the time long sence I seen him and I wold be glad that he wold pay us a visit and tel him that I paid John Luvenss??Lukens?? that five dollars and it cost me six dollars and thirty seven and a haf cents.

I must conclude mi letter so no more at presant but remans your untel deth.

Thomas and Nancy Bookout


NOTE ----All of the above appears in the same letter.