Page 221 - People & Places In Time

K ~ A Letter to my great, great grandfather Lewis Mitchell who had married Elizabeth Duff, is from his brother in law Joseph Duff who was married to Lewis’ sister Nancy: The blank portions are not decipherable, some other words are a best guess.
Stickleyville, Tennessee June 18th, 1854
Dear Sir; to Lewis Mitchell
I received yours of the 3rd & 4th of May last which I read with delight and to which I hasten to respond. It will always be gratifying for me to hear of the welfare of yourself and family and as you in your commencement complain of the wandering of your mind and melancholy disposition. You will pardon me for a few thoughts on that subject. There is then in the first place nothing better calculated to produce a wretched state of mind than a retrospect of our past life. We can succumb as we believe so many places in life that we look upon as miss-spent time, that if we were permitted, we would amend that kind
of reflection that seldom if ever fails to produce a desponding mind. Secondly such reflection in nine cases out of ten produces a disposition to look on the dark side of all subjects presented either to the eye or the mind insurmountable. Despondency and a great fearfulness feed the mind and imagined losses and crosses seem to be at all times close at hand and the old adage of ‘making mountains out of mole hills’ is truly verified when such reflections we are inclined. I do not claim to be entirely able myself to avoid thoughts at times that should not be indulged in. Neither can I flatter myself that I am or shall be able to advise one so far my superior both in experience and soundness of mind as yourself. I will pray to God that in all such thoughts there is nothing better in my estimation and experience than moderate exercise at manual labor and constant hope for the best for the future let us do the best we can for the future and leave the balance to the direction of a merciful God. Work like we expect to live forever and pray as if we were to die tomorrow. You say in yours that you know what it takes to constitute happiness in this life and you also say you have sought that state of mind with herculean assiduity but failed to obtain it. I will now drop you a few thoughts on this subject in part of your letter I then will say to you that permanent happiness is not a plant of these low grounds and I am further persuaded that every individual so long as they live will have their troubles, doubts and fears as to their acceptance state in another mode of My belief is that our preparation in this world for a happy futurity is a progressive work and long as we live in this world and continue to obey the commands of our creator and exercise faith in Jesus Christ as the only hope of salvation for fallen men we shall continue to grow in grace and a knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ.
As to bestowing some thoughts on the days of our childhood, it is commendable and is at all times pleasant to me. Many times, as I stroll over the farm or when engaged at work I find my mind reverting back to childish reminiscences when your wife and myself gamboled on many a chosen spot or when we assiduously plied or united our little efforts in the sugar camp or went upon the mountains top and viewed the farm house situated in the deep vale below. Many a pleasant view we had from the mountains top of verdant fields or flowering peach orchard below. It is right also that we should remember our youthful companions and inquire after them as mementos of by gone days. Many times, I think of the fine school you once taught in near Covecreek in the county of Scott. There is now a fine graded road from Fincastle to Cumberland Gap passing by where stood our rustic old schoolhouse, while our little plat of ground where we once played and studied, regrettably is now in cultivation. Frequently as I pass, I get off my animal and sit and view the hallowed spot and recount the many wonderful hours spent there with you and my youthful companions and not forgetting my studious chastisements too. Never in my recollections have I known a twelve months school productive of more fine results out of the students who attended that school. I cannot now recount the number of lawyers, doctors, sheriffs, legislators and divine emanates. But all the relentless tooth of time who can withstand tis time has made many inroads on those within my knowledge and we are now like angels, visits, few and far between.
Your old and respected friends and brothers in arms, William Marshall and Abraham Crabtree are still on the stage of action and doing well. Both have lost their first wives and have their second wives. Your old friend and associate of frolic and fun Berry Hill still lives on the old Randolph Noe place down Wallens Creek. He has measurably lost torn in consequence thereof. I still cannot conceive why it is that your hand fails to be so steady under your affliction; it certainly does not partake of anything like an affliction of your nervous system. Although I am ten or Twelve years, you’re junior in years still I am very nervous that I at times can scarcely write.
I should like very much indeed to see you all and also your country and sometime when I feel well and think about your fine land and beautiful prairie in Missouri. I seem to be there, but when I am left in despair. I frequently am go with youngsters and children hike to the mountains top for no oth- er purpose but to take a view of the distant objects and surrounding country. I once had what I imagine as beautiful a prospect as ever any person saw from the mountains top in the winter season on arriving at or very near the top of Powel’s mountain on the south side, early in the morning. I saw to the south
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