Family has severe colds; letter from Thomas; Alfred Moore house burned; collecting money; Malvina’s physical description

Postmark: Wythe C.H. Va

            Jan 15

18 ¾

            Mr. James T. Gleaves

                Richmond,

                    Virginia

                                                            Wythe County  [  ]

My Dear James

    I received your [ ] and I know you are anxious to hear fro[m  ]  I shall try to answer your letter this evening though in bad order for it  we had the worst colds in the family since you left home I ever knew  Sampson and Reuben had very severe attact but they are getting well your Mother is as well as comon verry weak  your Mother got a letter from Thomas Gleaves and he is so affected with cramp that he canot walk one step [ and ] I am [so ] sorry to relat to you that cousin [Sam]uel Crockett life is despaired of by inflammatory rheumatism.  Mr Ewing is very bad growing weaker every day and poor unfortunatr Alfred Moor his dwelling house burnt up last Tuesday the saved most of their house hold furniture supose to have been set on fire he was in town when it happen

  Der James the directins you left with me respecting the farm are all fresh in my mind but few put in operation though we are going as well as I can   I am getting the plows repaired today and I expec to start them again shortly

    The stock look very well  I have been trying to colect some money since you left here I not received one cent  Piper has returned I not seen him  I intend to send Samuel tomorow with the acount and know what he intend doing

[  ] is as well as common.  John Crockett is here [  ] of going to Texes if he can make it soot he has [   ] for $100 and if he remains here [  ] spend most of his time with me [  ] expects to leave town 13 of the month with a criminal and you will be very apt to see him and you can get news of the County in ful 

I believe I have nothing more worth attention you mentioned something about geting Wallace to make some shingels  I have seen him since and has spoken to him to get out some rock and asked what he had for makeing shingels two dollars and a half thou[sand]  I want [ ] write to me if you want them made the terms and quantity.  Also let me know how many shingels you have got and what is coming to you from Bill Scott.  I have not had them halled yet and like all the Scotts talking a good deal about them and if you were to pay him when they were taken away,  Michael Jackson and Petsy Bottomly was maried yesterday.

    My Dear the children and your Mother sends their best respects to you and if you ask Robert wher father is he says gone or he is up stairs

    John Crockett give his love to you  write to me as soon as you receive this letter and what you wat don no more this time

                                                            Your affectionate wife

                                                                        Malvina Gleaves

James in the long list of articles I forgot Indigo and Madder you know the prices here I told that it can be got very cheap 2 per of Indig 6 of Mader will do me and if you get me a frock have the length of the shirt 1 yard and quarter long  2 feet 4 inches roung the waist my height 5 feet 10 inches Don’t have it made lage in the brest for you know how fla I am if I should runaway before you get home this will answer for a coppy of an advertisement

Good by I don’t want to quit sicken you with my foolishness

                                                            Malvina Gleaves