January the 10 1882

My Dear grandma i take my pen in hand to rite you a few lines to let you no that we
are all well and hope when those few lines comes to hand they will find you all
enjoying the same pleasure

well grand ma we are left a lone now mother died nov 23 she talked about you all
the time that she was sick well grandma i am troubled nearly to death i dont no what
to do oh i want to see you all so bad Jim never got to see mother she called for him
just a few minutes be fore she died she died easy she went off just like She was
going to sleep and she neverer Struggled nary bit she cumenc dying in the morning
and died that night at 8 oclock she watched me all the time that day when she was
dying she watched me all the time that she could see me brittie was at ant Sallies
yesterday and they are all well dick is with ant Sally now Jim went down South and
stayed Six weeks and come home a week after mother died she talked and cried all
the time she was sick because she wanted to hear from you so bad has has gone to
fairfield to cort well i will close for this time so good by to you a tell ant molly and
purley to come when they could and to rite and tell us all the news excuse bad riting
rite Soon and com when you can

From
lizzie to grandma
in haste rite son

#2. This letter is written by Marial Adamson-Paul to her step-mother Rebecca Cracraft-Adamson, who lived west of McLeansboro in Hamilton County.  Marial was born March 7, 1843 in Mason County,  Kentucky, the daughter of John Harrison Adamson and Elizabeth Tuel.  After her mother died, her father married Rebecca Cracraft, and moved to Hamilton County, Illinois.  Marial and her husband, William "Will" Paul came with them. Soon, the Pauls moved to Wayne County. They had eight children: James, Thomas, Brittomosette "Brittie", Lizzie, Robert, Levino Rebecca, George, and Maudie. Marial died November 23, 1881, and it is assumed she is buried there. An unverified report says her father was also buried in Wayne County. He died November 8, 1874.

Mt Erie Jan the 28 1880

Dear Mother and family and friends where are you or what is the mater are you all dead or mad or what is the mater that you never rite i think there is someting the mater and i want to no rite quick what it is i sent you a card six weekago or more and got no ans yet i no you aint any harder up than we are well this leaves us all tolerable well Wills back is hurting him awful bad and so is mine besides ive had the headache today for want of a cup of coffee this morning but hope my letter will find you all well and doing well Jimie  is working for Wm Allcorn for ten dollars for one month Will made four hundred rails for Monroe Haze aint that lots Al is here at work for Haze too i was at Mr Statons visiting yesterday went on the little sled as usual i cant walk yet but can nearly stand alone i guess i aint going to crawl this time i walked across the floor Sunday by Will holding me up but i tell you Mother i make my old chair walk and when i get mad i make the childrenwalk all but Georgie and he talks me out of it Al has come home tonite but Jimie aint Magie Britz cut six lbs of carpet rags for Mrs Staton and got her a nice picture Noahs Ark Steve Al wants to no if you ever pull any straw now adays he says he was on a bender newyears eave but dident pull any straw and Will says if you will come to see him and come through bellcity and bring him a pint it will cure him  Mollie have you got a place yet i heard you was going back to Clements   Mollie Wallace Vangilders little baby got burned to death so the paper stated Otta turned the cradle over against the heating stove while they were out I got a letter from Cloellen and nan and ana wants you and Mother to rite to her Wood Al says he had his fortune told but it wasent as good as yours give my love to Johns and tell them all to rite i no if you new how lonsome i am setting here day in and day out you certainly would rite now all of you rite me a hole armful of letters and see how tickled i will be Mother i have peaced two quilts Since i had nothing else to do and now im niting ravelings we have butchered five hogs and feeding three more till march Magie if you and Nanie comes back here anymore you wont get back the boys was badly smiten Steve we have looked for you and Wood so hard do come and See me for you are the only brothers ive got George has never been a near all come and if you cant com you can rite we all send our love to you all and to Bud and Molie and all

rite to Marial Paul

 i lact to forgot Charley and Pearley kiss them and Send them to school my poor children cant get to go