The following is a letter and a note included with the transcribed letter provided by a Robbins descendant (Elyse Black). Transcription completed by Thelma Branch. All spelling and punctuation is as shown in the transcribed letter and included note.
“Michael Robbins […] lived in Randolph County, North Carolina. This letter touches on personal matters as well as the as well as the election of 1884. The election marked the first time a Democrat, Grover Cleveland, had been elected as president since 1856. The Blaine mentioned was James G. Blaine of Main, Republican, former Secretary of State and former House Speaker. Blaine was the favored Republican candidate. Research needs to be completed on the other mentioned local politicians as well as the local characters discussed in the letter. Gray was Michael’s son. He had three or four wives who either died or were left and was living at home with his father at the time of the 1880 census. Emeline and Rachel are also believed to be Michael’s children. The letter is presumed to be addressed to Michael’s son Archie Elwood Robbins and his wife Mary Cross (likely related to the Crosses noted in the letter).”
“Nov. 8, 1884
Dear Children,
I am blest with another priviledge of answering your kind letter written the 12 of Oct and was glad to hear you was satisfied with the Country, where you have settled down. This Beautiful morning finds us all in Common health at present hoping these lines may reach you and find you all well and doing the same. Franklin Cross was down a week ago Trying to Collect some money from A.S. Robbins for your but got none he told Mr. Cross he would pay half the money in a month, and he left the note with me, and as soon as he gets the money I will send it to you and have it Registered so that it may come safe etc. Mr. Cross & family will start to you the 11 of this [month] you may look for them the last of next week if the(y) have good luck. You wisht to know something about Gray he is here doing no good for himself not [working] else he is drinking and gambling. They tell me; if you write to him [Back] it to [Bulla’s] post office and he will be likely to get it, we have dry weather yet, the dry weather [start] in the first of August and had but very little rain since some are done sowing wheat & some are not done, I want you to write in your next letter & tell us about the rain fall & all about the storms in that Country etc. I will say something about the elections. The Elections is over and as far as heard from the democratic party is elected. This County went democratic and flying news say Cleaveland is elected president; and when all the offices is filled up with democrats, we will likely to have better times or worse times one or the other the democrats Claims to be the salt of the Earth, but it is to be feared they have lost Their saltness. Time will prove all Things, no more on that subject; Clauda Kivett has found a man at last; Jesse Rogers is the one for her – She come to her last wonder she done – well, – I got a letter from Adeline wrote 18 of Oct and I think they have some [potion] Coming [over] to you in the spring; I will try to finish my letter this beautiful Sabbath Mornig, we heard least night Cononading towards Lexington & eve sup – posed they heard who was elected president. A.S. Robbins has traded off the Colt you sold him. I have not sold your double plow yet; when you write again tell me what to do with it. If I had the money for my land and Rachel had a home I would come with Mr. Cross out there; while I live about Emeline & Rachel & Gray I shall have to live in a burning bush. A. Bunting I think would come to your game Country if his wife was willing and I [lurk] talks like he has some notion of Coming out there. Since I have Commenced writing this letter I learn A.S. Robbins has lost his saw mill; but he says he has bought another one; and he can’t raise that money he promised Mr. Cross as soon as he intended, but as soon as he can he will pay it. The people think after the presidential Campaign is over the money that have been payed out in buying votes will make money matters a little better. A.S. Robbins was at High Point yesterday and the news was that Blaine had got 220 odd votes, it that be true Blaine is the Elect. But the(y) is so many flying Rumors it is hard to know the truth. I expect you will hear how the vote will stand – before we will here, the democrats done all they could to carry the State and fill every office; if it had not been for fraudulent votes This County would have went Republican throughout. Robins only beat Blair 30 odd votes and [Shp. Moffits] Beat Stanton little over 50 votes, so no more on this subject. The(y) say Bunga Kivett takes a wife next Sunday, Miss Rhoda Farlow. May peace and prosperity be their happy lot etc.
I think I have written about all that would be of any interest at this time hoping these few lines may reach you and find you all in health etc. write & give us the prospects before you; the dry weather still Continues. Nov 10 – Mr. Crosses family starts tomorrow.
Yours as Ever,
Michael Robbins”