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Pennfield NC March 17th 1871

Mr. J. J. Welch

Dear Son
I embrace this pleasant Morning of writing
you a few lines. We are all better than when
you left Sue is better Lizzie and the babe are
well, Mother is better; and I am improveing
Slowly I would feel greatly improved; but my
throat keeps sore and my voice is still broken
and difficult to talk; I want to go to Charlotte
next week and I shall have to take Mother with
me I keep so weak and so difficult for
me to swallow and I am so much bothered
about eating; We have had a most pleasant
week dry and nice for Business it is warm
and some Cloudy to day; The boys have been
carrying on finely since you left prepareing the
new ground Hauling out Manure and sowing
Oats; there is no news of importance; Uncle
And[rew] Gamble was buried last Sunday at
Sandy Ridge he made a will and left Fipps
and Elij Teague Executors I dont think Bob
will get anything More; He wants to sell
over