Glad to have received letter but worried about health; reports brother Dan had left for Irving [College]; money hard to come by and price for cotton very low; refers to pending lawsuit; other family news.

Worries about health and relates deaths of various towns people; money hard to come by and business bad; other family and town related news.

Crops doing well; received letter from a most "dangerous woman," claiming son hadn't paid a debt; advises him to stay away from this "awful woman"; mentions pending lawsuit referred to as "hooke suit" (?); other family and town news.

Refers to a favor which "came to hand"; talks about crops and prices; refers to the burning of a foundry in Montgomery [Alabama]; many suffering from scarlet fever; mentions the Hook's lawsuit being taken to Supreme Court; other family and town news.

Complains about mail system; has not received any letters from son; crops doing very well, especially corn; discusses Hook's lawsuit; relates town "anicdote"; other family news.

Glad to receive letter after "too months"; crops doing very well; Scarlet fever still "going through neighbourhood"; other family news.

Speaks of fine crops and many deaths from Scarlet fever; Hook suit not yet decided; advises to stay away from the "slandering living old devil" who claims he hasn't paid debt; other family news.

Worried that lawyers want evidence from him for Hook's case; advises not to give any at all; reports crops are good except cotton and all are well.

Reports a retrial for "Hooke's" case and advises that he give no evidence; advises to stay away from "Tom the big baby"; asks him not to mention case in any letters except to her, Mit or Will; other family news.

Replies to question about health and crops; gives long account about political opinions relating to the "American party", break up of the Whigs and strengthening of Democrats; relates local arrests; business interests shifting; other news about common friends.

Disease going around caused by snakes, many deaths; defines Hook's case as divorce case; advises to not give any evidence; case has been given a retrial; worried about Mary's [sister] health; not receiving Texas paper; other family news.

Received letter; has severe cold, health at Irving generally good; plans on staying two years; has not rained lately and is very warm; Had sent catalogue, will send another.

Requests help in getting into business as an "averseer."

Inflicted with typhoid, hopes to be well soon; asks that Scurlock take care of some business dealings; received letter from William Harrison giving news of many deaths in Montgomery, County [Alabama]; provides arrangements for moving [to Texas]; family news.

Times dull as session ending; has sprained ankle; has received letter from Ma which criticizes his spelling; will try again to send catalogue.

Sends papers on Freeman Divorce case; refers to a petition and preparation of legal papers; other family news.

Relates how letter had been detoured to mother's house, was "read at home" then sent on to Irving; advises T.J. to settle down and get married; also advises to not travel until decision to make Kansas a state is made; advises to go to Kansas if it becomes a slave state; mentions a planned act of violence by Negroes near Clarksville [Tennessee] on the Cumberlan[d] River; planned to knock us all in the head" and "make themselves free Ladies and Gentleman."; other family news.

Glad to hear that he is happy, expected him to be "Alabama-sick" [homesick]; has begun farming, finds its hard work; all in good health except mother who has "posey "; other news.

Complains in great length that Josh did not stop to visit on his way to Texas; glad to hear his health has improved with the "Minreul wutter"; inquires about a Negro, John, who held freedman's status; other family news.

Relates the marriage of two couples of the area; reports the results of the elections for probate and circuit judge and refers them to their respective parties; have had long dry spell, hasn't been good for the "God of Macon...King cotton"; reports other deaths and gives some family news.

Bill has gotten married, spends great deal of time telling why he shouldn't have "don[e] the deed"; begs son not to go to Central America because climate not good for health; crops are doing well except cotton; inquires about "Ben's wife" who was lost on a boat which was sunk on 20 April 1856; has hired new help who is young and "don't know much"; other family news.

Gives long philosophical and metaphorical arguments about the importance of good health; compares the "excruciating pain" of the invalid to the "vast freedom" of the healthy; will remain at College for 6 week break in isolation as few students have remained.

Refers to a debt owed by Mr. Scurlock and to Mr. Scurlock's absence at this time; mentions a hired black man in the employ of Mr. Scurlock.

Has not heard or seen [Theodoicus Joshua] Scurlock nor has he been in [Texas]; Has not the funds to pay the debt but will soon; refers to a boy [slave] who "has plenty to eat but nothing to do."

Pleads with brother to stop his traveling, to buy a home and settle down; claims that hundreds of tears have been shed, thinking he was dead; begs [T.J.] to meet brother Billy in Marshall [Texas] and stay with him.

Glad to receive letter and that he [T.J.] hasn't gone to Nicaragua; sorry to learn he has been "lying on the bed of affliction"; encourages him to go to Marshall [County, Texas] to meet [brother] Bill who has just married; sister has been married; sent 2 letters to different addresses; other family news.

Rejects Scurlock's proposition to buy his land in Nepsher County; would like $3 an acre; doesn't believe land in that area is selling for less.

Hopes business better for Scurlock than himself; selling out and moving to New Orleans; enjoyed traveling from his town.

Has returned to "this city" and plans to say; is pleased by the business prospects; believes could make good profit on investments; likes the amusements of the city.

Has not received word in 3 months; very cold weather and is affecting the crops; very little corn; money is tight; has bought "a negro"; had poor crop last year; other family news.

Has had a "very cold and backward spring"; 200 deaths since Xmas from measles; brother is talking about joining U.S. Army; Democrats have full ticket for legislature and County offices; many old whigs have gone Democrat; Democrats only party "able to beat back abolitionists and save our country from ruin"; reports Freeman and Williams lawsuit decided in favor of Williams; other family and town news.

Relates family is well, brother Dan is home from Tennessee, brother William had measles; will try to visit [T.J.] and that part of country; a few deaths have occurred caused by measles; other town news.

Glad to have received letter; sorry Josh didn't come to visit; crops doing badly because of cold spring but should make profit in cotton; voted for Buchanan in election as did Josh.

In good health; has been trying to find a job; reading law now; married an unnamed woman; crops okay except cotton for which it has been too cold.

Glad to receive letter and all in good health; American Party has won full representation in both Houses of Congress; describes political antics of both parties concerning "burying" the opponent; crops doing well except cotton because of cold; relationship between Jones family and Scurlocks not on firm ground as a result of daughter Mit's husband; other town news.

Has not been well but glad to receive letter; crops not very good, cotton getting a high price, about 15 cents; Wishes he could come to visit before she dies; discourages [Josh] to go to Central America as there will be "fighting enuf [sic] to do in your own native land."; other family news.

Has a slight cold; have been several weddings; thinking about going to law school in Tennessee; would like to set up practice in Texas or "other new country,"; other family news.

Has the "clap", likes T.J.'s proposition, would like to be doing something; hard times coming on; other family news.

Just returned home; has a cold; expenses for trip amounted to $60, Did not need money advanced by T.J.

Has on hand $150 belonging to T.J. received through money order; Mr. Barker has paid nothing on debt; sister sends word T.J. must get married.

Misses Josh very much, encourages him to come and visit several times; family is well; has been married; other family news.

Has received no word since February; refers sarcastically to Cupid and Social Life; reading [law] at home; intends to come to Texas following winter; other family news.

Describes the fashions of LaPlace and the young ladies; crops doing well, plenty of food; convention meeting in Montgomery [Alabama] to discuss dissolving of nation; court system inefficient and overloaded; other family and town news.

Surprised to hear he is studying medicine although thinks he's too old; married a 45 year old man to his first wife, thought that was strange; has been very ill with chills and fever; crops not very good, winter was too wet.

Describes in detail the "examinations" which were attended by all the music lovers; loves young America; still plans to go to Texas to live, would like to practice law there; sister is living in unfortunate situation; encourages him to study medicine; other family news.

Requests to have bond signed, money given and note returned, in reference to Hart Conyer.

Has received signed note; rejects offer to sell piece of land to a friend because terms are too long for the low price offered.

Has been ill for 10 days; advises him to not go to New Orleans too early because of Yellow fever; encourages him to write to brother [Dan] to go to law school in Montgomery; other family news.

All in good health; have been a few cases of Typhoid fever; crops very good; has been reading [law], feels this year has been a waste, will go back to read [with another lawyer] as before; other family news.

Receipt for $287.50 included; speaks of terms of payment; refers to an unknown lawsuit; has a jug of whiskey and no one to drink it with.

Has made business contacts requested; the due bill has come up in court but they cannot collect on it; and other family news.

Land sold to Day and Thompson for $3 an acre; brother William left for Alabama; corn looks good but cotton is small, haven't had rain since 16 of April; other town news.

Discusses recent emigration to Texas of family and friends from Macon County Alabama; presents some prejudices toward northwesterners; refers to a note coming due; crops good but need rain; refers to the "railroad sensation" in Jefferson which will take some time to settle; other family news.

Speaks of crops and lack of rain; reports problems with child slave Scurlock left [to his brother]; other family news.

Making preparations from 4th of July Celebration; have had little rain and temperatures have been up to 98 [F.]; has heard of yellow fever in T.J.'s city, advises him to take care of himself; refers to the drinking habits of friends.

Instructions referring to Scurlock moving out of the house he is living in and what the owner expects will be done by Scurlock in upkeep.

Family all well; had intended to move to Texas but crops failed, will have to buy corn this year; anxious to see Josh, wants to know why he hasn't married.

Weather has been very hot, have had no rain, crops are burning, cotton failing, wonders if Texas is "a fit place for civilized men to live", many Western town and private homes have been burned because of the abolition movement, "The people are aroused to a sense of their [the abolitionist's] danger", compares it to Harper's Ferry; refers to T.J.'s thesis, suggests the topic of Tetanus, mentions a case of murder Dan is defending; centering on a Negro who contacted tetanus after a severe whipping.

Inquires about a note for several hundred dollars that he has heard nothing about, would like to know what happened to it; shows his discontent with Texas, describes it as "this land of contention where belzebub seems to be prime ruler."

Sorry to hear [Scurlock's] mother is dissatisfied with her move to Texas, but has heard many are; the drought continues, has traveled to Alabama and 200 miles up Alabama River and found the drought reaches further; friends wanted to look him up in New Orleans; encourages him to come visit; other family and town news.

All in good health, crops are turning out better than expected; has traded land in Tennessee for land in Texas; reports murder of old man by child in Sumpter [South Carolina], in jail waiting trial; coal is scarce, other family and area news.

Received letter with thesis, contained information they already had, refers to the lawsuit thesis was needed for; finally received rain which rejuvenated crops; health of area has been good, "too much so for the good of the Doctors", refers to murder committed by Jack Taliaferro, includes other town news.

Begs "Dosh" to come and visit him, outlines how to get to Philadelphia; all are well, has heard from Scurlock's mother who hates Texas and wants to return to Alabama.

Promises to pay what he owes in few weeks.

Corn crop better than expected; relates robbery charges against men from Polk County and other town news.

Describes details of common friend's death, also refers vaguely to various other [medical] cases "town is improving, have built a female college and have a Methodist preacher who will convert...the negroes and dogs before they stop", other town news.

Gives lengthy opinion of upcoming Presidential election between Douglas and Lincoln and also projection and hopes for house and Senate elections; other family news.

"Bad crops, low water and high prices"; will be traveling back to Polk County before Christmas; gives results of Presidential elections; other family news.

All well; friend has stopped drinking; this friend wants to fight when war begins; [Brother] Dan "fixing n to go see Mother; other news.

Hasn't heard from him; corn crops good, leaf worm has injured cotton crops; has decided to study medicine; hopes girlfriend hasn't decided to marry someone else, encourages Scurlock to marry; relates town affairs.

Expresses his opinion about national politics, predicts a military governor for Texas judging by the acts of the "Vandal Congress," has no faith in "Andrew Johnson the chief of drunkards of the Vandal states." Advises to sue, D.J. Kimball for money he owes; has not heard from Pittsburg and will write a "cuss lettr" if they "do not respond".

Has had to harvest his own cotton because he has no laborers; hired no freedmen because of some fights the previous year; will give up farming and maybe sell rugs with Dr. Hendricks; money is hard to come by; [Brother] Bill just recovering from serious illness; other family news.

Shows very little faith in the "Vandal n government; questions whether Dan has received the horse he sent; business not very good, advises that one should run business on a cash system; relates he has lost about $200 on a credit based system; had had difficulty with superintendent of Lunatic Asylum, told him what he thought of him and challenged him to a fight, all stemmed from disagreement on treatment of patients; will be leaving soon.

Will begin selling rugs, have ordered supply from New Orleans; hopes doing better in city than would have at Asylum; other family news.

Has not heard from brother [Theodocius Joshua Scurlock] since March; would like any information on him as had heard rumor that he had been killed; selling goods with Dr. Hendricks in "six full stores in Mt. Pleasant".

Relates rumors that T.J. is dead and how this rumor came about; Long guilt speech about the death of his mother; never received the horse sent to him; other family news.

Discusses different medical cases and dental cases; relates deaths of acquaintances; has been very ill.

Mentions Scurlock has left Austin but not where he's gone; war has ruined him; crops have been good; at home at time of surrender; has begun preaching and serving his God.

Have been in city 5 days, very different from Austin; many sick town supporting 10-12 Doctors and many drug stores; has met a gay widow with whom he keeps company.

Enquires of a Claiborne Herbert in Columbus, Colorado County; has opened a school but is doing poorly, would appreciate any help Scurlock could give; gives update on doctors [from Austin Lunatic Asylum]; will be leaving Austin soon.

Has been in poor health; crops have been very poor; war has destroyed the South and the "Southern devils have a hard hand of it after we get through a war in which we lose everything"; will continue in business if can.

Jobs hard to get in Austin; Doctors from Lunatic Asylum did not do well in private practice, have gone to Georgetown; negro notary has been appointed in Austin, other town news.

Did not make as much in business here as in Bastrop; encourages Sky to join him and "Dock" in Austin; Dock will pay his passage to Austin; 2 deaths from yellow fever; enjoying company of "The widow".

Austin dull place; Gen. [Joseph Jones] Reynolds has arrived to take over department; Boon has located office, not doing well; City covered with grasshoppers; describes as "damb poor country"; "Better be in Hell without claws".

Expresses opinion of government: "I hope it [government] will sink to the latter most pits of Hell."; has been able to collect some relates town news.

Waited until Texas was accepted back into the Union; considers this a good gained from reconstruction; claims Negroes will remain in place they should, inferior position; wants to know about Mexico: politics, commercial facilities and social events; encourages him to come back to the U.S.; other town news.

Relates local political happenings through reconstruction; and some very strong opinions; thanks for the description of Mexico; sends regards of many people and relates other family and town news.

Relates his preconception of Mexico; "hopes to see all Democrats elected" in upcoming elections; other town news.

Refers to securing claims on oil wells and coal mines; expects that there will be a boom in oil lands after [Mexican] Presidential election; hopes to do some speculating; hopes to settle himself financially for life.

Sickness is increasing; has received "Charge of the Vice-consulate property." refers to a matter concerning archives [records of the consulate?], other town news.

Is now working at a bank as a cashier and continues to assess taxes; is living comfortably but still must pay off some debts from Merchandising; family is well and being educated as he would like; refers to the Democratic Victory for Presidency and remarks "that the south is again at the Head of National affairs;" other family news.

Introduces herself by reminding him of when she was a child; makes a plea for money which she needs; begs him not to pass judgement on her for asking for money.

Gives description of himself: gives family news; describes Mt. Pleasant; asks many questions about Mexico and whether a Doctor could do well there; hopes to study medicine.

Gives town news; crops look good, had a hail storm nearby; has chosen medicine as a prospective occupation; town working hard to raise money for railroad to town; includes lineage of Scurlock family.

Acknowledges "carta"[?] and list of goods sent to him; will do all in his power as executor of his will to deliver property safely.

Questions will of Dr. Theodocius [Joshua] Scurlock; inquires whether estate was left to brothers individually and was it lawful under Mexican laws; others are trying to come in on will.

Not acquainted with Mexican laws but believes the brother [William and Dan] are only benefactors.

Remits trunks and a box containing possession of brother [Theodocius Joshua Scurlock]; has sold amputating instruments for $20 to local hospital; will send due cash as soon a possible.

Assures him possessions have been sent; explains that his brother [Theodocius Joshua Scurlock] did not have a great estate when he died; advises him to contact two friends who knew him; requests a receipt sent to him from [Scurlock's] papers.

Inquiring about possessions of deceased brother [Theodocius Joshua Scurlock] which he has not yet received; requests that he make some enquires; refers to his brother's assassination.

Informs him goods have arrived, will pay duties and willship as soon as possible.