Perry County Arkansas December the 30th, 1877 Dear Parents I seat myself again to write a few lines in order that you may know our present condition and hopes of the future. Spakin of our present condition we are all up to day but we are not all in good health. Matty and Cadorah are having the evry-other day chills but they are light. the rest of us is well. we have had a bad winter here for gathering our crops and the most of us have got cotten in the field yet. I have got about 3 bales to pick yet. I have 4 bales picked and sold. I will make enough corn to do me. but I have not got it gathered yet. I expect that I will move on my place that I have bought in about two months. I hope I will be done gathering by that time. I will be able to pay my debts and have plenty to run me another year i think if I live to get on my place. I expect to stay there make my home there live and die there. health is tolerable good in this contry, times is flourshing in our parts. I am verry well satisfied with my locality boath my place and my neighbors. I have also gained the conficence of the people in my neighborhood and I can even borrow money if I need it. give my respects to all my kindred and friends I hope this few lines will find you all well both you and family and connection write soon and fail not and I will to for I have a new supply of stamps and envelopes on hand now. what I say unto one I say unto all. write. If I should never see your face again on earth I hope I shall meet you in heaven. Elizabeth sends her respects to you all. so no more for this time. B.F. Littleton to W. R. Thornton More than 120 years ago, my grandfather sat at a wooden table, and with a coal oil lamp, or perhaps the fireplace for light, he composed a letter to his wife Elizabeths mother and stepfather, who had remained in Hot Spring Co., AR. The letter was written on 8 x 12 1/2 lined paper, with flourishes included on each capital letter. the punctuation and spelling are as he wrote it. Perry County is approximately 75 miles north of Bismarck , Hot Spring Co., where the family previously lived. By 1880, he, his parents, and his brothers, along with their familes were in Yell Co. Perhaps that is where the farm which he spoke of in his letter was located. Although the means of communicating have changed, the message which is sent at the end of the year is still one of hope and best wishes for family and connection. Marketta in Madera.