Trenton, Tenn. - 30th 66

My Dear Darling Sister,

As it is a sad duty that I now have to perform. Our Pa has now left us and we are now poor orphans in this world. He has gone to a better world than this and his dying words were spoken to me. If I had a thousand hearts he would give them to God. He came Sunday night and was taken sick Tuesday night and only lived four days after he came here. Sister, be calm and composed, bear it patiently. We mourn not without hope. He spoke of you this evening and and I have never witnessed anyone dying. He said he did not know what to do with his girls. Grandma told him not to be uneasy, that we would be taken care of. For us to stay here and pay our board and serve God. Sister, do not be uneasy about us. God will be a friend unto us. My love to Aunt Martha and Babe is well and will write you in a few days. I am trying to serve my God and intend to lead a better life. Grandpa wept like a child. Sister, write soon. Pa, I think, has been running of his bowels about two weeks and derangement of his system, especially his stomach. Oh, sad it is, but Sister, try and be prepared to meet your maker and live to serve him.

All the rest are well. From your loving Sister,

Bettie Jones

I will have to write to Ma. Poor Uncle Mitchel came too late to see him speak. You do not know how much I love you and I have had no chance to write before As I have been sitting up nearly four nights. His countenance is so mild and calm, if you could only have seen how easily he passed away. I stood by his bedside and saw the last breath. They will bury him at Oak Grove today.