1804 LETTER OF NEILL WILKINSON TO HIS SON ALLEN IN TENNESSEE
Shared by Jamie Burnet
Posted June 10, 2006 by Myrtle Bridges
"The following appeared in the Greenville Sun newspaper (Greenville, Wayne county, Missouri) on Thursday,
Feb. 11th, 1904 on page 2, column 1. I have not done research on any of the persons mentioned in the letter,
nor am I related to them. I was looking for something else but thought this was of value." Jamie Burnett
100 Year Old Letter
True Copy letter directed to Mr. Allen Wilkerson, School Master, Smith County, Payton's Creek,
Tennessee State
Lock's Creek Cumberland County,
November 15th, A.D. 1804
Dear Allen - when this comes to hand it comes to inform you that we are generally well at present,
thanks be to God for His goodness, hoping the lines will find you and yours in like situation.
The latest account from you that we received was dated Aug. 16th last, by John McMillan at his
arrival in Sep. I received accounts from your brother in Georgia which was the latest. But the
occasion of this letter is more particularly to direct you concerning your land, I must treat
thereof at large. I was compelled to sue old John for the balance of your money which I collected
from the Sheriff last October court and have yesterday delivered 110 dollars of it to John McMillan
who is to start for Tennessee. But after the pleasing prospect that his may afford you I must also
tell you that I am sued myself. You know how resentful the old fellow is, and how much inclined to
be contrary. Having offered him a deed for the land in my own name, he consulted with others to
know whether he might not demand an attorney deed and being instructed he refused to accept mine
and I, being (you know) unfurnished with a power of attorney he immediately lodged my bond in the
hands of an officer. I was then at some loss how to proceed in the business, but having lately
applied to lawyer Davis and stated the case to him. He directed me to adopt the following method,
viz: To prepare a blank deed (which you find here enclosed) and send it as soon as possible to you
and direct you to go to the judge of your district and acknowledge said deed to be returned to me
signed and sealed and that the judge forthwith is to direct the clerk of the county to affix the
seal of the county to the deed; and he says that when you have sent it back so authenticated it
may here be admitted to record. Now, Allen, these being the necessary steps for you, to be taken,
and the time of the trial uncertain, I hope I need not urge you to make no delay, and in putting
these directions into execution.
The next county court will be here in January 2nd Monday and if the trial then comes on, I am
doubtful if I shall be unprepared to meet it. However the best way for is to make all possible
expedition in your proceedings, and if I can have your deed before trial, I can perhaps stand
the brunt unhurt, for the main object of Phoses is to try to recover the penalty money since he
has made use of the tightwood.
I have no more to say at present for directions and I know these may suffice but I would advise you
to searching the office least there might be occasion to send more instructions at the discretion
of the council on my part.
I have wrote [sic] by Mr. McMillan accompanying your money and I expect that these lines will reach
you sooner than that, but I would have you to be very attentive to the business in hand for Phoses
will omit no opportunities in taking advantages, I must conclude by wishing you good success and
prosperity in all undertakings
your loving affectionate father
Neill Wilkinson
Allen Wilkinson,
Tennessee
N.B. If you can see any acquaintances that are coming hither soon, you may get them to witness the
deed which will also strengthen the business.
N. W.
On the back it reads: "Came to hand the 24th Dec., 1804."
Copied by Henry C. Wilkinson, great-grandson of the writer - Neill Wilkinson, Lock's Creek, Cumberland
county, NC. to his son Allen Wilkinson of Payton's Creek, Smith County, Tenn. who was the grandfather
of the copyist, Henry Clay Wilkinson, a son of John McBride Wilkinson, who was born Jan. 7th 1813, and
died near Coldwater, Wayne county, Mo. Jan. 1st 1901.
This Jan 13, A.D. 1904
H. Clay Wilkinson
Damon, Mo.
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Last up-dated September 4, 2022