Edgefield Jan the 12

My Dear Children

hope these few lines will find you well I am varea poorly my self and have been for sum time as so unhappy I have not heard from george for a long time hope you will write and to your brother William than he will rit to you for he say none of you never write to him and I make a bad hand shake so I am a poor old cratur since I a bad fall I am to walk with a stick I left the wood ever since harvest and I have not heard from my sister this half year I fear she is dead I am poorly of now I cannot work but but I have got but little time to be hear God now how long your brother Robert have been heare but thought nothing but his oldest Mare broughton is married to bill potter and fit lick cats and dogs Bob is about taken a wif and his father goen to give him the shop up to him at a lade time is im divided for shuten a hav maer son is forman him games bishop is wols and you and theare thing to be sold tomorrow I fear you cannot read my rite I do it so bad my dear boy if you now enne thing of george let him now that you have heard from me and tell him his child is well and the ould the ould man is so fond of to he now not part from it for the world but they are all bad as ever and she is a lien beck (lying bitch) I never speak to non of them but the child tis a pretty little thing pray rit to us and let us all now all you can I spos you have seen they had a letter last week I haeard it and I wish I can see you all but I am two old to cum what cannot make out you must guess at for cannot do no better give our love to your wif and all the dear children the same to you dear sister and all and to george and don’t forget your self god bless you all my dear children forever so I remain your loving mother

Ann Broughton