I now embrace this oportunity [opportunity] of Writing unto you to let you know that my fathers family and myself are all well at present and also all of your [unclear: Connexion ] is well So far as I know we received your letter about Six weeks ago which Gave us Great pleasure to hear that you were all well and Satisfied with the Country and wishing you health and prosperity through life I will tell yo [you] Some thing what I have been Doing Since you left this Country _ I have been Going to school about five months and have acquired a Good knowledge of the arithmetick [arithmetic] as my Master Says _ I have been through the Arithmeticks known by Smileys [unclear: Pikes ] Crookshanks and Smiths [unclear: also ] I have [unclear: Shrdred ] Book keeping after the plan of those Arithmeticks _ on monday last I Commenced keeping Store for mrs Capt [Captain] Robert Simpson and Son on long Creek near [unclear: Lawnnes mill ] and expect Continuing with them until about Christmas next at the moderate price of $5 per month they find me my boarding at [unclear: Mark ] Woodcocks also my washing and mending and at that rate I cannot be making much in this country but at the expiration of that time [gap] from 20 to 30 $ per month [gap] Glad to See you and family and [gap] Soon as Circumstances will per [gap] often talks about [gap] you and family [gap] you all too you [gap] come this fall

corn crops in the [gap] Generally planted and some has plowed their corn but not many —

I want you to write on the receipt of this letter Some Rules and Directions for Epistolary Writing & and I want you to Excuse this Sorry writing as I do it by Intervals and then in a Great [unclear: hury ] _

I want you to Write the price of a book keeper a year or month in Mississippi

we have had Some warm Elections this Spring for Esquire and military officers my father was elected Esquire and Also Uncle Patrick William Raglan was elected Colonel Commandant of the 53d Regt [Regiment] in opposition to Jacob Jonston Mayor McMury was elected Lieut Col [Lieutenant Colonel] in opposition to Joseph Carter and Madison [unclear: Donohood ] major in the [unclear] without opposition — Mr Dapid David Fergusen was a Candidate for Sheriff but missed it by a long gap Mr Howard was reelected by Double all his Competitors which was Ballie Fergusen and Baly Young mr Burnett was elected Clerk in opposition to Joseph Hibbans and mr [added: John] Bransford elected Registrar of middle Tennessee by the Legislature So I must [unclear: gent ] my vehement way of Writing but not without letting you first that [gap]

Mr A Fergusson and Family

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A Fergusson esqr [esquire] Holly Springs Tennessee

[added: Dr [Deliver] Mail in haste
Single] [added: Bratton's
[unclear: Mayest ]}]