Family:Stephen Ellis and Mary Magee (1)

[p 1] Franklinton, October 19th, 1857.
Very dear brother & sister,
As there appears to be some fate, that forbids our meeting any more soon, I must endeaver (in school hours) at least to congratulate you upon the marriage of your son. I hope and trust that he has done well, and that both you and Tom will ever be pleased. Oh! That God may bless the young couple. I had the honour to pronounce them man & wife. I felt some embarrassment, though I do not think more than Tom did. Martina is a warm friend of mine, and as she pleased Tom, I was glad to see her do well, as I am bound to think she has, for I presume there [are] few individuls who know anything of Tom's promise, that would feel themselves honoured, by having him united to their families.
I recd. by Thomas your kind and friendly letter, but confess that I was not only mortifd. but almost made sick at heart, when I found you was not coming. I had made such sure calculations of being in your social and lively company, and therefore drive away the blues, though I have so much to do now, that I hardly have time for them. Still, I wanted to be in your company and so inticipated and the thoughts of being fairly disappointed almost made me sick, but thank God I have become partially reconciled; for I meet with so many mishaps that I am, as I have been for many years, trying to be easy
[p 2 missing]
[p 3] year to get nearly through my debts, but since the recent fall in our staple commodity, I am again in doubt; however I think I [have] my matters so arranged as not to be severely pressed, provided I meet with no other mishap.
I am highly pleased at the idea of your settling at the Amite Station and practicing in this District. Washington Parish, westwardly will increase in population, and so will Livingston, & you will soon be the oldest Lawyer in the District, so I think your prospects pretty fair, so long as your necessity compels you to remain in the whirlpool of contention as you see proper to term your profession.
I intimated that I had to be pretty busy and so I have, teaching school and writing in the Clerk's Office are enough for an old broke down man, as there is some little increase in the Successons of our court, and you know I write slowly. John attends entirely to the farm. I only scold a little occasionly and then be off. He is going out with Tom's party to your place and from there to see Lewis, and as he has never travelled I am glad that he is, I have green in his place.
Polly's hea[l]th is improving, and my health is now pretty good for an old man; I have but little rest, but God I have much peace, and this I think helps keep me up, the mind is stayed upon God, the soul is possessed in patice [patience] & peace.
I am very well pleased with your John, I believe he has entirely forgiven me about the pinderseed and we are therefore good friends again. I described to him at the wedding how he might [be like?] his [aunt] Polly. I told him as he was the ugliest boy in the crowd--so his aunt was the ugliest old lady; he and his aunt tried to invent some plan to retaliate, but failed, and so it passed as a joke and I think they both forgave me. He stayed with us last night and really I find him a nice boy---May God bless and keep him safe from the snares incident to youth.
Polly went to meeting with me yesterday to see sister Haney; they met but together but a short time; I tried in my stammering manner to preach, as I do almost every Sabbath. I do not know that I do much good, but I endeavour to glorify the name of God.
Dearth Brother, you talk feelingly and sensibly upon the subject of the marriage of your first son, well, the word of God says marriage is honourable in all; and though Thos. is young in years, he has read much, and his mind appears to [be] well matured, and there is a prospect of his doing well, I hope and pray.
My family join me in love to you and yours. May God bless and sustain you all.
Your affectionate brother,
Stephen