Person:Thomas Whitlock (1)

Moved from Virginia to Wilson Co, Tennesee And then to Jefferson Co, Ill in 1844. He kept a Tavern at Dix on the old Vandalia and St. Louis stage line.

"Thomas William was a farmer, a merchant and millwright. As a millwright, he pressed the tobacco and cotton of the community in season. he lived in Tennessee only seventeen years and then came to Illinois in 1844." "A History of the Whitlock Family," W. H. Whitlock, 1941. And from a letter of March 26th 1843, (to sons Thomas and Caroline, and George W. and Angeline) "You wrote to us that Caroline had a fine Son and you wanted some of us to send you a name, but we have all the names that we have on hand now is use and times is so hard that we fear we shall be hard run for names before the year is out. I wrote to you that I should be there last fall but I have given out the notion of moving until next fall, as I want to make one more crop of tobacco before I leave as I got the highest price for my crop last year that was give in Nashville and that was only $2.50cwt." ... "George wrote us word that he had got married and that he has married a monstrous pretty girl, but we all know how he always judged beauty, though we was very glad to hear that he had married and settled himself and we wish you both to do the best you can."

We would have wrote to you sooner but I did not know for certain whether I would move this spring or not until I sold my tobacco, and I never got that off of my hands until last week.

As for the name you wrote to us for we postponed writing until we thought it was to late to send one now, but we hope as you have but one you can certainly find out one for that and we will try and have one selected in time for George. We have nothing more at this time to write more than we want to see you all very bad, We still Remain Your affectionate Father and Mother until death,

Thos, W and Sarah Whitlock To: Thos, E. and Caroline and Geo, W. and Angeline Whitlock.

State of Tennessee Wilson County August, 25th, 1843

Dear Sons: We once more are favored with the opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at this time.

We have nothing of very much importance to write to you at this time fore than common, We rec'd your letter from the hands of William H. Word and was very glad to hear from you all and to hear that you was all well, and we can say to you again the we are coming out without fail between this time and spring, And we understand from Wm. H Word that you have a place in view for me and I dont want you to fail to get it if you can get it for any kind of property for I shall fetch out a tolerable chance of property, I have at this time, Three good wagon horses as any in this country and a fine two year old stud colt a two horse carryall finished all to ground and I am about to sell out to Elder John Whitlock and if we trade I shall take a wagon and probably some horses from him., We have a fine crop of corn and tobacco growing and we made a fine crop of wheat.

I shall get my crop in as soon as I possibly can and expect to sell my tobacco in the hand they give something near as much for tobacco in the hand as if it were prised. I shall make nearly four thousand pounds of first quality of tobacco if nothing happens besides the lugs. I have nothing more of very much importance to write more than John Happened to the misfortune to get his shoulder put out of place by a fall from a horse about two months ago and has not been able to do anything since scarcely, and we fear he never will again for his shoulder is still out of place and I dont think it ever can be put in again. He has scarcely any use of his right hand yet.

I expect Henry G. Arnold will come out with me if he can get off. You stated that you had lost you Child which we was very sorry to hear though we wish you take it as well as you both can as these is things that we all have to encounter with, an as my light is growing short I must come to close.

Thos, W. and Sarah Whitlock To: Thos. E and Caroline Whitlock and George W. and Angeline Whitlock

(This was carried back to Illinois by the same Wm. H. Word as is mentioned above)

1.   US census 1850
   Jefferson Co., IL p3.
2.   Findagrave [1].