Metcalf Co. Ky. February 28, 1863 Dear Sister, It is with pleasure that I seat myself this Saturday evening to pen you a few lines in answer to yours, I received a few days ag, which I read with pleasure and was glad to hear from you and that you wer all well at this time. We hope that these few lines may come to your notice and find you all welll and doing well. I have no news of interest to write you but that we are all welll and hearty and trying to lead a quiet and peaceable life in this unfriendly world. You said you wanted me to let you know something about all the connections. They are all well and fine. as all I know that is living about her is your old uncle, are all dead, but your Aunt Patsy Davice and Anny Harvey that are about here. Dear Sister when I opened your letter and saw your miniature I though I would give the world if it had been mine priviledge to see your face. but we can't see each others face...I can look on your picture. Dear Sister you said you wanted me to send you my picture. I fair would if there was any chance. If i can get my likeness drawn. I don't know of no one here..I want to go to Sister Betsy in a few weeks. I will see if there is any artist down there, If I acan have any I will send you my picture. Brother John has gone to Kansas. Started last September thirty. Betsy is living about 18 miles from me. She has 2 children, a boy and a girl. Winfred and Debby is their names..I want you to write every chance. We would be glad to see you all. Well I will tell you how many children I have. 5 living 2 dead. 7 boys, 2 girls living. John Aaron, the two girls died, Rhoda and Linday Janice. Nelson William, Henderson White, Willes Richard, Edward Newton, Minty Mansennery, Alice, Jacobe Masterson, Belrena Elizabeth Emhert. Now I have given you the names of my children. I will tellyou the distance as near as I can how far it is to the place you were raised. It is about five miles from here. Now I will close my few lines by saying to you, write soon and often, and I will answer your letters. I know no more at present, only I remain your s till death. No more from this time fair you well. I was in a hurry and did not tell all the names so I will tell Clinton Harvey. From Nancy and Ted Hanlon to Verlinda Rhea and family. _______________________________________________________ Minneapolis, Minn. May 21, 1873 Dear Mother, I received a letter from Rhoda the other day stating you had gone to Berlens. I was very glad to hear you were well and that Rhoda was getting over her fall, and you got a chance to go visiting. Hope you will enjoy your visit. I am well and getting along as usual. I had a letter from John this morning, written the 15th of this month. I regret to have to say, his folks not at all well. He says there is a man out there that wants to trade a quarter section of imporved land out ther for our land in IL. It has a orchard on it house, barn, wel fenced and improved, generally high rolling prairie, nigh on two roads. One leading to Carthage Mo. and one to Columbus Kansas, as good as any land around there. He says the man wanted to trade he would give a fair bargain. We want to know how it would suit you. If you want to do it you shall have a house of your own to live in you can be your own chief, cook dishwasher, which I believe you wish. If it isn't you can have it any other way that would suit you. I think some of going down there in three or four weeks and see the country for myself. I don't like Minn. have no use for it, too sandy. I saw 500 acres the other day that had been cropped a time or two, was so sandy nothing would grow. McFog passed here the other day going down the river to Ill. he stopped today. I had mashed my hand so was doing nothing, enjoyed his visit.. I am going to work in the morn my hand is all egert again. George came down and went down the river on a lumber raft. Direct your letter to St. Anthony Falls, Minn. Box 427. If I leave it will follow me. I remain your obedient son James H. Rhea _______________________________________________________ All these letters were copied from copies of the original letters, and provided to me by family members of James Harvey Rhea, 1980. The spelling and composition are the same, except I put spaces between the paragraphs for more readability. ==== HARVEY Mailing List ==== HARVEY Mailing List Web Archives http://lists.rootsweb.com/~archiver/lists/HARVEY-L/