20 Oct 2008 ~ Last week while I was doing a little digging I found this letter tucked away in a book in the Pope County IL Circuit Clerk’s office. I believe Juliet [Field] Raum must have written the letter for Francis C. Hall, because she was the wife of John Raum the Circuit Clerk.
I hope this helps someone. Judy Foreman Lee ~ UndDee43@aol.com

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Williamsport Warren Co April 5th 1854

direct this to Mrs Hall

Dear Cousin

It is with some anxiety of mind that I address you this morning. The last letter I have addressed to your Brother I suppose he never received or he would have answered them the last letter that I got from him last fall stated that he intended visiting us in the spring and bring your mother and his wife along. And then he intended to go to Californy I sometimes think that he is already gone or that perhaps he is sick or dead or perhaps your mother is sick or something has happened that I know not of Now my dear cousin will you please write to me about your mother for it seems like as long as we both are in existence I want to hear from her When I think of my own mother the thought of your mother is the next uppermost thought

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When you think it is of me as a perfect stranger be that as it may gratify me by writing about your mother I know she is too old to write to me her self I am truly anxious to hear about all of you I will not trouble you with a long letter for doubtless you will not get it Brother Harvey has been sick this winter But is now better the rest of your relatives here are all well

The river is up now in fine order and boats are coming up all the time I should be happy to see any of you Cousin James wrote in his last letter that your brother Green was sick write in your letter whether he has got well And write whether you have got any letters from Uncle James or uncle William lately give my love to your mother And all my cousins and reserve a large portion for your self I hope that Cousin James and your mother will be up this spring

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I suppose that your mother has heard that my eyes were much inflamed last fall I went to Lafayette and got them cured But now they are as bad as ever I shall have to go back to Lafayette or Saint Louis or Go blind I have often expected that you would have written to me But now I have commenced I hope you will write to me sometime And tell me of your dear mother No more but remain your affectionate Cousin write soon

Francis C. Hall


Juliet Raum