Revisions to the electronic version
August, 1998 corrector Carolyn Fay and Lisa Spiro, Electronic Text Center
March, 1999 corrector Jennifer Easley, Electronic Text Center
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March 3, 1857 from Young Barrett, Maria Barrett, and Isabella Johnson to Dr. James H. Minor
March 3d 1857 Carysburgh Mount Faublee
Dr Minor
Dear Sir
I have taken this first opportun[ ity]
after my arrival in this country, of writing to you
I hope that you and family are well, myself &
family are quite well, and have been since I
been in this country, yet at this time I am not
quite well to day. Myself and Maria, Isabella
Charles and Richard, have all come to the new
Interior Settlement, about 50 or 60 miles from the
sea coast. Wm Douglass and his family, Charles Twine
and his Brother
Walker 3 Brothers, Washington, Coleman, Allen, Wilson,
and Martin 4 Brothers, John and Washington Mickey
2 Brothers, and Thomas and David Scott, 2 Brothers1
compose the company that came to the new
Interior Settlement with us, We have all been
quite well, no fever nor any other kind of sickness
the place is finely located on top of a very high
mountain, we like this place much better than
we seen elsewhere, and although things are not
like they were at home, yet we are thus far quite
satisfied. The rest of our people all settled at
Monrovia, and Clay Ashland up the river about
15 miles from the sea coast, And I am very
sorry to inform you that the mortality has;
been very great by the fever, we have lost
by Death the following persons, my father, sister
Francis2, Uncle Buck Thomson, Billy Douglass,
James Scott, Lucy Twines baby, Frank Coleman;
Maria Coleman; Lucy Twines Father; Patrick
Mickey;3 4 Robert Scott is laying very low, indeed
all the people down at Clay Ashland are quite
sick, Thus far we all have enjoyed good health
as when at home. I will now tell you of my
wife Maria, and the children, they did not get
any of the clothes that was intended for them
the box was robbed or something else; as there was
no bill of Lading for them, we have never seen
Pork 1 Bll of Fish and 1 of flour, and also 2 pair of
Black Gaiters No 6 and No 7 also some leather shoes
for us all, I would be very glad to receive these
by the Mary Caroline Stevens, when she comes
in the Spring, so as we may get them by the
then our 6 months is up on the Society, I would
like to get some Calico, some Bleached and some
Unbleached Cotton, and 2 cotton Bed spreads -- .
some Blue and White womens stockings;
and 1 White Swiss muslin dress pattern for
Isabella; I wish this to be fine, and a peice
of Satin Ribbon, and please to send Maria
some Black dresses suitable for mourning
I wish you to send me a few lawn
dress patterns, and some cheap calico for
country trade, as that is the same as money or better
you will please to send me some cloth for
myself and the boy, I would like to get a good
Bedstead also; I wish you to send me about 20
Dollars in Gold or Silver money, I would wish
you to give my respects to Dr Merryweather and
ask to send me something. Young Barrett
send his love to his Father, [Mother,] Brother and
Sisters, Maria and Isabella
all, Maria, sends her love to her Brother WmTerrell
we all send our love to Uncle Bob, Aunt Daffiny
Jane, Mr Harry Lewis, and Sarah Lewis and
all of their family, Tell Aunt Daffiny, Young
has seen Dianna and she was well; Isabella
sends her love to Sarah Thornton and her family,
She is very well and enjoys herself and expects in
a short time to be married. You will please
to send me some Leaf Tobacco as that is the
Money; You will direct your letters to
Carysburgh Interior Settlement and in the
Care of Mr Saunders A Campion Superinten [ dent]
of Carysburgh and Agent of Amer Col Society
as well as all goods for us by these means
I will get them. Please to put my things
in a box by themselves and direct as above
I will now close by saying I wish you
will attend to these things by the time I
mention as I shall want them love to
all of our friends
yours Thankfully
Young Barrett
Maria Barrett
Isabella Johnson
Carysburgh Liberia Africa
Dear Sir
I had forgot
to tell you to please to
send me 3 Blls of Flour
1 Bll of [Flour] Sugar
Please to send me some
Calico for country trade
and
You will please send
me 1 Keg of powder and
2 Bag of shot
Young Barrett
Also 1 Box of Soap
I wish to have
Notes
[1]William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor lists the settlers as: Himself, His wife Susan, His daughter Mary Douglass, Thomas Scott, David Scott, Charles Twine, Philip Twine, George Walker, Hugh Walker Jr., Winslow Walker, Wilson Coleman, Washington Coleman, Martin Coleman, Allen Coleman, Young Barrett, Maria Barrett, Isabella Johnson, Charles Barrett, Dick Barrett, John Michie, and Washington Michie
[2] The father is probably Young Barrett's father; "Francis" is probably Francis Barrett, his sister.
[3]Hugh Walker to Dr. James H. Minor lists the dead as: Robinson Scott, His son James [Scott], Patrick Michie, Buck Thompson, Richard Franklin, Jacob Twine, And his grandson Lucy Twine's son, Cyrus Terrell, Francis Barrett, Samuel Carr's youngest child, and Two grandchildren of Uncle Cys.
[4] William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor lists the dead as: Dick Franklin, Patrick Michie, Robinson Scott, Jacob Twine, Francis Barrett, James Scott, Maria Coleman, Frank Coleman, Lucy Twine's baby Jacob, Billy Douglass, and Emily Carr