January 7, 1832³⁷⁰¹

MR. JOHN MCCLURE, Greenville, Va.

John Beaty was a friend and neighbor. The Beaty farm joining Old Providence Church, now owned by Samuel Finley McClure, was bought from the estate of John McClure.

DUBLIN, WAYNE COUNTY, IND. Janr. 7th, 1832.

DEAR FRIEND.

At my father's request I write you a few lines. We all landed in Ind. the 19th Oct. The old man had to stop in Richmond, about four miles in the State, partly on account of bad health and partly on account of bad roads and shackling teem. His bay filly failed before we got to Lewisburg and he swoped her off; we then got along tolerably till we came into the Ohio where the roads became bad. His old bay mare gave out & he had to buy one, otherwise we got along well.

The rest of us went about 40 miles further and stopt in Henry County, the roads being so excessive bad that we thought imprudent to venture. Byers and myself then set out on horseback to visit the Warbash Country & went thro Marion, Boon, Mongomery & Clinton, & returned not satisfyed. We met with your brother. He removed from Tennessee and is keeping public house in Frankford, in Clinton County. We breakfasted with him. His family is well. I have settled about 18 miles west of Richmond in a small village and have purchased some property. The old man has purchased land within a mile & half of this place; has sold his waggon & two horses; the waggon for $100, the old bay mare that he got of Rowan for $50, the little pony for $40. He is now lying verry low and not much hopes of his recovery. He was verry much exhausted with fatigue when he stoped, but had recruited verry much untill the cold weather set in about the last of Nov. when he was taken suddenly ill with a relapse of his old complaint. Dr. Hindmad, of Richmond, is his physician, but does not entertain much hopes of his recovery. I was to see him a few days since; he was a little better, but has no hope, or but verry little, of ever being better. He requested me to write to you and let you known his situation. He wishes you to fetch your deed out with you, and also Alexander's and Thornton's and let William sign them all here, as he thinks it somewhat doubtfull whether Wm. can go in shortly if he should be called off * * * * Grain of all descriptions here is scarce and verry high, and of course, somewhat hard on emigrants. I believe I am thro. Give my respects to all my old neighbors. Tell Jas. Rowan that I will write to him shortly. My respects to your good lady and all the family.

While I remain your affectionate friend,

JOHN BEATY.