To: Mr Joseph M Seawright
1, South 9th
Philadelphia
Pa
Put in Levys Box
From: William Montgomery
July 7 1849
Freemans Hotel
Hollywood - Mobile
September 7th 1849
My dear Joseph
Yours of July 16th reached me at a place
called Benton in the interior of this State having been
forwarded from N O [New Orleans?]
I left New Orleans on the 1st July and after spending 2
weeks there went up into the interior to see Mrs Kelly's son
John [John Kelly?] about whom you have heard so much. I found him
living on a small farm in Antanga Co [County?] with a wife and two
children, He has only been married 10 years and must now be
50 years of age
He is a house carpenter by trade and in his prime must have
made a very handsome fortune but owing to security debts and
extravagance has become very much reduced. At the time of his
marriage he was worth $50,000, but was security for others to
double that amount. His Mother I believe had determined to
come and see him this year but has now abandoned the idea.
I have recieved my letters from home pretty regularly and
the last ones received contained some sorrowful news. Wm
[William?] Chapman and Moses Paul have both passed from time
into Eternity. The former died of cholera on the plains on
his way to California after four days of illness. I have lost
I may say the oldest friend I had but sorrow or eulogy on his
worth cannot bring him back. May we meet in Heaven
Moses Paul had been to the Florida Springs and on his
return to Petersburg Va [Virginia?] caught cold and was
taken. Alicia says there is hope in his death and that his
end was peace "Requiricant in Pacem" Mrs Searight
is in such delicate health that the news could not be told her
I suppose you are aware Mrs Robinson died some time since
of inflammation. Alicia says the death of W C [William Chapman?]
has made them and a great many others anxious for my return
to reside in some part of the British Isles at least she
further says they have not had a letter from you in a long
time but that they get newspapers pretty often. Perhaps
you are in debt a letter. Rev. [Reverend?]
James Tobias passed through here on his way to Conference at Cork
and was making very particular enquiries after my humble self.
I am glad you are pleased with your trip to Niagara. You do
not say if you called to see Mr. Lockharts [bar?] in New York
I hope you did so if only for my sake. The correspond and
have done so since I left N. Y. [New York?]
I intend returning to New Orleans about the 19th inst.
[instant?] and hope to make a good engagement for a permanent
situation. I will write you fully when I have bettered
myself. This place is situated on Mobile Bay and is a very
delightful watering place. We have had a large number of
visitors from N. O. [New Orleans?] many of whom are now about
to return. I have used both the shower baths and salt water
and am in excellent health and spirits thank Providence. What
is life without health. Moses Paul has seen his career in
little over 10 years from his leaving Portadown and during
that time has not had 5 years good health Wm [William?]
Chapman has been cut down in the flower of his manhood in 4 days
illness. I have been spared through the epidemic. I hope I am
truly thankful for this best of gifts health.
Our weather has been hot too and people
going from 103' to get cool in Ala [Alabama?] will find it is
out of the frying pan and into the fire" as we have had it
nearly as hot as that at 6 o'clock 103' in the shade. Your
weather is as hot as ours for a day or two but ours is hot
for 9 months of the year.
The Bambers had arrived at Portadown to
spend some time at my fathers. The Dr. [Doctor?] wishes we
were out of this ( in his eye ) accursed country Leaving it
to your discretion to remember me to the Massy's [Maiseys?] or no
I am Dear Joseph
Your affect [affectionate?] cousin
William Montgomery
