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Crawfordville GA 1 March 1845
Dear Brother
The force of habit with me is becoming nearly as strong as it was with the Sailors wife - who the honest and unsuspecting tar said had got so in the habit of having children when he was at home that she kept it up when he was gone on a cruise of three years. I got so in the habit of writing to you every day while I was at Washington that it seems difficult for me to stop it now that I am at home. Yesterday morning while parton Wilson was Talking to me all the time nearly I gave you the information of my arrival at home &c But had not time to give you have the little local news or nor have I time to do so now. In the first place I will say it is quite sickly here. The Scarlet fever rages fatally in the county about. I walked out to the grave yard last evening soon after closing my scroll. And found Cunningham in the sad
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office of planting severall cedar at the head and foot of the grave of his infant which had lately been buried. He was weeping and met me with eyes suffused with tears. A little sister of the departed one was standing by him pratting "Now isnt this little sisters grave? Cunningham poor fellow was overpowered with grief and said nothing. A great many new graves were near the place. He turned and said these are three out of our family. buried a short time since. The earth looked as if it had not been rained on since the first was made. They were the children of Mrs. Perkins below yonder. A little farther off he pointed out where poor Tom Simmons was resting in repose. Already had some kind and affectionate friend planted the mournful cedar at his head and feet. Jack Rhodes has a child they do not think can live and he and Absalom have been very sick of the same fever. The influenza is also prevalent. William Campbell who worked with Allison is very low with it. But no more upon that subject. William Ray came down to see me to day says he is coming on well. Felix Moon is teaching in the Academy. Bob Burch is
very friendly and came up yesterday and today. A great crowd in my office both days. No one that I have seen disapproves of my Texas vote. And all are pleased with the speech. They say it is the best I ever made. Dr. Alfriend says at White Plains they are pleased with it. Hiram Dunn has moved to Woodstock. William Mattox has gone to parts unknown with out his goods and effects went about Christmas - I never heard it before just as I told you isnt it? James Ray has prosecuted Moore for stabbing him - Burch & Bird for Ray & F.C. Moore for Moore. No letter came from you last night. I sent you the Georgia Journal that contains my speech yesterday evening. That paper is openly out for my position. I seen Merriwether in Augusta - he said the Democrats were charging me with being an Abolitionist for the sentiments in the latter part of my speech - bah! what a set of proper they have got over there at Eatonton. John Bird is preparing himself for admission on Monday I have been very busy all today
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when not engaged and bond with company in arranging and looking over my cases for court The Leverton family have gone to Augusta -- they are all the talk about the Depot. Lord North went down a few nights after and has not yet been seen or heard of. They say he has gone after them. They went six or seven days ago. I found your Bob is a kind of town libertine. He does chores for any body -- does all the milling and plows all the lots -- and hauls all the better stuff from place to place and does so in phases. But it is a mistake about him cursing the "Stephens family" I am told. I didn't ask him. but John says it was just a tale they started on him.
He refused to go to Alfriend's but does not drink any liquor I am told by those acquainted with his habits. But he just does as he pleases and picks up a quarter wherever he can, He charges all he "mills for" a quarter. The people of the place seem to consider him a priviledged character -- And employ him and trade with him as with any other gentleman and he is considered I believe a "man of honor". No body molests him and he behaves very well. His common appellation is "Bob Stephens."
He and his hogs and dog are all well known and no body wantonly molests them. John has not heard of his old mare for some time. She got out last week and went towards Ray Town they say, and he says he don't care if he never hear from her again. I had a fine laugh at the Depot last night with all the boys about Town. Dan William Bill Ellick-- Bill Elliit-- Jim Sanford & Whig & Democrat all together - told em all about Washington Polk and all the new anecdotes I could think of and quit them in a fine humour. The weather here is quite pleasant today though it was cold or rather cool the night I got home. It turned cool Thurs day that evening. The peach trees and plumb trees are in full bloom, and the oaks at the Court House are putting out fast. The farms all about look like spring was more at hand. I had a bait of turnip greens today, think of that will you or I do not know but you get them
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where you are though we never do at Washington.
I can say no more now — and must close.
So good evening
affectionately A H Stephens
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A. H Stephens Crawfordville 1. March 1845
News of home deaths that have occurred. The people like his Texas speech. Ch.