Verdant Plain May 27th 1829

My dear little son,

Your favor of April 23 came to hand last week I am exceedingly well pleased with it, although it produced a gust of conflicting passions or feelings resembling a whirlwind at the first reception and reading of it, yet at this present moment my mind is perfectly tranquilized into a pleasing calm full of the idea that my dear little Addison still remembers me with affection.

As it respects news I cannot pretend to do more than barely sketch what I would wish to relate if I could see you Suffice it to say that I live very comfortably your uncle Robert [Robert Andrew Hope McCorkle] purchased the half of this place gave me his note for 200 dollars & answered [his brother] Jehiel's [Jehiel Morrison McCorkle's] claim for moving your Pa & family.

I take my half on the west, but I hold a reserve of the unmolested use of half of all the present improvements during my life, I also have another obligation on Robert [son Robert Andrew Hope McCorkle] to have me well provided for during life. I occupy the large house, your uncle lives in the kitchen, he has built his new house in the same yard with us, but will not have it fit to live in before next fall. He is accommodating and his wife [Tirzah Scott McCorkle] makes herself very agreeable amongst us.

Franklin H. [K.?] Dixon has lived with us ever since last fall, he is a good boy I think I love him almost as well as any of my grandchildren. Whenever I get him taught to write, I intend he shall send you a letter. Polly Cox? [Cos?] was a long time getting well of the ague, but she is very hearty now, and grows fast. Your Aunt Pamela [Pamela or Permelia McCorkle, Mrs. Lemuel Scott] enjoys health & passes time pleasantly with her new sister.

I have enjoyed much better health through the last winter and spring than usual I live easy and contended very often I lie abed till breakfast is ready then rise without a blush and spend the day in moderate exercise or reading just as my inclination dictates I can card and spin and knit right smart yet, and cook a little, but I don't offer to go to the cow-pen though we have six cows with young calves and an abundance of milk

Jane M Thompson has grown to be a great fine likely young woman and is as blythe and merry as a lark. [Margaret and Robert McCorkle's daughter Rebecca Cowden McCorkle (1795-circa 1827) married Gideon Thompson. Their daughter, Jane Thompson, born circa 1820, married a Mr. Williams. Their daughter, Mary Thompson married a Mr. Dickey.]

Cousin John McCorkle is raising a crop here this summer and intends moving down again fall. I expect he will keep Thomas Jr. [Jr?]

We have had a very cold dry winter and spring. Crops are backward People generally healthy in this country, no musketoes nor gnats nor flies to torment our poor brutes this spring.

Cousin Nancy has a fine son. Your aunt Jane [Jane Maxwell Thomas, Mrs. Edwin Alexander McCorkle] a fine son. [John Edwin McCorkle's brother, William T. McCorkle, was born 5 Feb. 1829 in Dyer County and died 18 Nov. 1832.] Your aunt Betsy a fine daughter. [Elizabeth Smith, Mrs. Jehiel Morrison McCorkle, had a daughter Mary Carolina McCorkle in 1829. Mary Carolina McC died in 1883.] All healthy thriving children.

I suppose Jane Thompson will write to you sometime and tell all about her spinning and weaving etc etc etc Give my kind respects to your pa. & ma. tell them I love them dearly and pray for them every day I wish likewise to be remembered to Mr. Travers and his wife

Tell little Quincy [Roach] and Elmira howday for me.

Oh Addison avoid bad company as you would a mortal foe. Language fails me when I would express my desires that you may excell in steady habits of moral rectitude, so as to become an ornament to society and a comfort to your parents. With these reflections I bid you adieu!