Davidson Co., North Carolina April 10,1786 Dear Son and Daughter: I have this opportunity by Mr. McDaniel to let you know the state of health that we are in at present, Most of the family have been in a poor state of health, having a bad cold and a great pain in the breast and side, and affected them very much like pleurisy. The family has had a hard turn of it, only David and myself, but they have all got middling well over it, only Jamey, and I exoect that he is on the way to recovery. Thanks be to God for all his mercies to us. Hope these few lines will find you and your family enjoying health and happiness. I received a letter from you that gave an account of your intention to come by water this spring, but I doubt if it will be safe to come down the Tennessee River, for in all probability the indians intend to break out for war, as they are very much against the settling of the bend of Tennessee. The Indians have been making some attempts as if they intend to trouble Cumberland this year. They killed a man about a month ago that was out hunting between Cumberland and the Tennessee, and about the same time they came upon some men that were up Cumberland River surveying, about forty miles from here, and wounded four of them badly, but I think they will get over it, and last Monday night they came on a little station on Big Barren river and broke it up, some of them were killed, but as yet, no certain account how many; they have also taken three parcels of horses this spring, two from about Bledsow's Lick and one parcel from the south side of the river, and three or four days ago two Chickeymogey Indians came to our town, and they say they are Creek Indians that do us the damage, and they say that they are friendly and want to be so, but it is doubted that they are not. There have been some Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians here that declare to be in our favor and offer their assistance against the Creeks. You wrote me to know whether horses would purchase land; they do deal for horses, but good saddle horses will sell best and are in most demand. Your mare can never be found since we came here, and I fear that some accident has come to her. We found your young horse and he is with our creatures. Your cattle thrive very well since we came here. minister is come and settled, and we have the meeting house about four miles from us, and it will be but three miles from your land, and wish that you and your family were here, if there would not be too much danger on the road, but you will have a further account after awhile. I have purchased 228 acres acres of land adjoining your land and my own, and intended to have been on Harper's river soon, but it is not safe. I have been speaking with Colonel Robertson there, and he offers me the first rate land there at half a dollar per acre, and if I like the land, I will purchase one thousand acres of him. We have a very comfortable neighborhood of people as ever we lived in, and I think the best, and it is thick settled here. We have had all our children that are at home at school this winter. As the bearer is just waiting, I shall conclude, with our best respects to you and your family, we remain your loving father and mother whilst--- Samuel and Jean Shannon April 10,1786 n.b. Remember our kind love to Brother and Sister Crowe and all the family. To Mr. Thomas Shannon Living in Montgomery County, Walker's Creek Forwarded by John White