Letter signed S. [Statira] Hall, Huntsville, Mo., to “Children,” William A. Hall and Lydia [Hall] Marmion, Harpers Ferry, Va. Best wishes for good new year. Pa [John Hancock Hall]’s health suffered much; he has only a few months to live. George [Hall] has heart set on West Point but will remain if I think it best…he does not wish you to reward him for remaining with me; he likes farming very well if we owned a farm on a river. Financial matters. Willard [P. Hall] and George have read about a corn planter which will do the work of 8 men; they want you to send one out here if it proves good. April is the month for planting corn in this neighborhood. Please send cuttings of grapes, and all types of fruit. I have seen no fruit since I have been here. Labor in this country is scarce and high. We have succeeded in getting a boy of 17 years for eighty-five dollars per year; good farm hands were hired from 150 to 160 dollars per year; white men seldom hire here by the year. Added note by Willard P. Hall concerning finances. Individuals mentioned: Col. Talcott and Dr. Marmion. Places mentioned: Glasgow, Mo., and Fayette, Mo., 1841 Jan 5

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection contains primarily letters of Hall family members to family in Virginia and Missouri discussing family news, farming, their enslaved labor, their legal and political careers, the Mexican-American War, the California Gold Rush, and the John Brown raid on Harpers Ferry. Correspondents include Willard P. Hall and wife Anne E. Richardson Hall, mother Statira Hall, and siblings William A. Hall, George H. Hall, Mary Hall, and Anna Hall.