Polk Family Papers Box 9 Document 54

Polk Letters: July 9, 1860

Bishop Polk, Beersheba Springs, Tenn, to his sister, Susan Polk Rayner, re: congratulations on the birth of a son; description of family life on the Mountain - their cabin with Hamilton and his wife and two children and Kate and her husband and one child; stating also that a member [should probably read "number"] of southern families were there inclusing Bishops Otey and Elliott with their families; the death of his brother, William; requesting Mr. Rayner to give him the receipt for making a compost bed. 4 pp.

Beersheba Springs

July 9, 1860

[Mrs. Kenneth Rayner]

My dear Sue,

I have just heard of the [addition?] to your family of a fair boy, & I write to congrat-ulate you on the event. I do so not as an ordinary [uncle would?] but as it is an instance of Gods good will to you and your husband of a special character and to explain to you the loss you were called on to mourn last [Jan or Jun?]

[illegible] with both of you I am here to expand it & I had the little stranger may have the singular good futures to fulfill all his expectations of his mission. I am glad to hear you have got on to luck as he was expected.

I have been on the top of the Cumberland Mountain in a cabin with all my family excepting [illegible] [illegible] me & his are all my

well. Hamilton with his wife & two children are here, & Kate and her husband & one child. We have a large number of Southern families her also. The climate is delightful & the family able [illegible] could wish. Bp Otey & his family are also here and the Bishop of Georgia & his family close by. We are not a great way from the seat of our university -where we shall all be in

course of a [illegible] or two as well as others of our brethern Bishops at last for the summer.

You have heard of the death of brother William. I saw him on my way here. He died of an [affliction?] of his heart. He was a good man, a quiet, honest, Christian gentlemen & I have no doubt was good to the end.

Will you give my best to W. Rayner & say to him I would take it as a favor if he would send me a receipt for working a compost bed such as he makes in N.C. I want it to make such