Thomas Welch England
born - July 4, 1818 in North Carolina
Died August 21, 1883 in Lamar County, Tx.

Married Sarah Ann McClendon
in Chickasaw, County, Mississippi

Civil War record:

Company: K
Unit: 1 Mississippi Cavalry. Reserves.
Rank - Induction: Sergeant
Rank - Discharge: Sergeant
Allegiance: Confederate

(the same unit is being researched by
Jan Pearson Coxey "[email protected])
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Thomas Welch England was born July 4, 1818
in North Carolina, and died Aug. 21, 1883
in Lamar Co., Texas . He married
Caroline E. Womack abt. 1844,
Caroline E. was born abt. 1827 in Georgia,
the daughter of Mark Sanders & Elizabeth
"Avent" Womack. Caroline died abt.
1853 in Choctaw Co., Ms.! After she died
Thomas W. married Isabella M. Curtis
before 1860 in Choctaw Co., Ms.!
They had seven children.
Thomas Welch England later
moved to Lamar Co., Texas,
and married Sarah McClendon.

Caroline E. "Womack" England,
and some of their children were
probably buried at the England
Family Cemetery . One of their son's
was John G. England, he was born
May 1, 1847 , and died July 6, 1910 .
His wife was Eliza born Oct. 13, 1843 ,
died July 13, 1924 . They were both buried
at Old Cumberland Cemetery , Cumberland ,
Ms.! John's sister was Sarah S.
( England ) Foster, born Dec. 1, 1857 ,
died June 24, 1941 in Cumberland ,
Ms. She was the wife of Moses Simeon
Foster 1851 – 1930. Moses & Sarah " England
" Foster were also buried at
Old Cumberland Cemtery.
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Newspaper article found in antique trunk (no date or place on article: Died, at his residence in Lamar county, Texas, Brother T. W. England, Sr. of heart disease in the 66th year of his age. Brother England was born in the State of Nort Carolina, July 4, 1818, where he was raised and educated, as most farmers are, with a common English education. From there he emigrated while a young man to the State of Georgia, where he married and settled as a farmer. About this time he embraced religion and joined the M. E. Church, South, of which he lived a zealous member until his death. Regretting the want of a liberal education that he might the better study the Scriptures, he purchased Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentaries to aid him in understanding the Bible; and finally became well posted, especially in the doctrines taught by the Church of which he was a member, and an able defender of them. About five years ago he emigrated to Texas, where he hastened to settle his family and business, being admonished that he had but little time to live. He always took his religious papers, and remarked to the writer a few days before his death that he had taken the NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE for thirty years. Brother England was a very prompt man in all his business relations in life, and although a comparative stranger here, his death is much regretted by the whole community. M.

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I thought you might be interested in some of the letters of the England family that were found in an antique trunk and have recently been sent to me. .They were in the same trunk as the obituary for Thomas England. I have transcribed some of them and am still working on others. Eliza Young, who married John Green England, son of Thomas W. England, was my great-great aunt. I hope these will be of some use in your search for families.

L. Young

This is a letter from Thomas Welch England's father
Georgia 8th June 1851
Dear Tom,
Yours of the 18th May came to hand on yesterday which gave me much pleasure to hear that you and yours were all well and that you have a good prospect for a crop. We are all well at present though I have had a hard siege of disepicia (sp) some time back and now I am scarce a day but I am troubled some part of the day with rheumatism but my appetite is good and I do not feel any way sick although I suffer at times severely with pain. Crops are small here for this time of year but we have had no right to complain as ours looks as well or better than any I have seen that is our cotton and corn. You wished me to know when we finished chopping cotton. It was about the 25th of May. Provisions are very scarce and high here. Flour is selling at $6 ¼, bacon 12 ½ and corn at $1. I have nothing new or strange to write therefore I must close, giving my best respects to your family and receive for yourself my best wishes.
Wm Thos England
As you will see by the dates above I do not put off answering your letters in my awkward and scrambling manner as you have done mine. Therefor I hope you will do so no more.
Yours,
Wm T. E.

Sulphur Springs Hopkins Co. Texas Oct 29th 1873

Mr. J. D. England
Very dear Brother:-
I embrace the present as a favorable opportunity to write you a short letter to inform you of my whereabouts. First, let me tell you about my trip. We were just one week on the road. We left Grenada Saturday night at 9 o’clock and reached Sulphur Springs the next Saturday evening about sundown. Our expenses were quite heavy. It cost us $52.00 from Grenada to New Orleans. The distance is 291 miles. It was night most of the way. Day came, however, long before we were landed in the great, magnificent city of N. O. Before we reached the city, we crossed a large lake, the name of which is Lake Pontchartrain. I could look as far as my eyes would admit, but could see nothing but water. We were detained in N. O. from Sunday morning till Tuesday morning. We then crossed the Mississippi in a nice boat and took the train for Brashear City on the Gulf, 81 miles from N. O. This is a beautiful country down through Louisiana. I saw any quantity of sugar cane and gardens. The people were planting, hoeing, and plowing their gardens. But this diversified, variegated scene soon changed. At Brashear City we went on board the steamer, Whitney. A steamship is a magnificent thing; a grand display of human skill and architecture. We were all much pleased with the riding of the vessel until we got far out in the open Gulf. When we first went on board we had about 25 miles of fresh water. This was nice; we admired it much. But night came on after a while and we could see no more. When we got out in the open Gulf the ship began to roll tremendously and we, like most others, were seasick. We were all very sick. We all vomited until we could hardly stand up. One minute our feet would be three feet higher than our heads; and the next, our heads would be as high as our feet were. We landed at Galveston the next morning all safe and sound. The Gulf is a magnificent scene. You would be much delighted could you see the grand sight. We spent a great deal of money, but we saw, heard, and learned a great deal about this globe of ours. We left Galveston on “The Texas Austin” and ran to Houston; then to Corsicana; from Corsicana to Dallas. The distance across the Gulf is 200 miles; from Galveston to Dallas, 311 miles. The total number of miles is 988. We had to go 100 miles from Dallas. Ran 25 miles on the stage. We passed through several places where the Yellow Fever was raging rapidly. I must close; write soon. Much love to you all. This is a fine country. Will say more about it in my next letter.
Your Affectionate brother, T. W. England (Jr)

Excuse my writing with pencil. T. W. E.

The Mr. Owen mentioned in this letter is the man who wrote the letter to Thomas Welch England in January, 1876, informing him of his son’s illness and death.

Sulphur Springs Texas Oct 4 1874
Messers J. G., J. D. and R. E. England
Dear Brothers-
I will write you a few lines in reply to several letters which I have received from you as of late. I should have responded sooner but I have been so busily engaged gathering my crop that I have not had the opportunity. Joe and I have gathered our corn this week. We made 500 bushels – 250 apiece. I pulled the corn and Joe hauled and we gathered it in five days at the rate of 100 bushel per day. We had some land that made 40 odd bushel per acre. It appears from the above that there is a chance for us to have bread next year inasmuch as we made out on 12 ½ bushels this year. I’m glad J. G. that you found plenty of water in your yard. Certainly it will be a great inducement to the sale of the place. Tell me in your next (letter) how your crop has turned out. If my potatoes do well from this time on we will be all right for living this winter. We are now only milking two cows and we make at least 12 pounds of butter per week. Out of the cows I think will (?) though one of them will give milk all the winter. She now gives four gallons per day. Wish you could come over and help me gulp it down. Come ahead, Jim. All things are ready and I will do by you what is right. I suppose the usual redskins gave Blessing(?) a chase did they? Wonder what he tells about Texas. Jim, do not bring a pistol in the State of Texas unless you keep it closely concealed. It is against the law to carry weapons in this State. I should bring one clear through with me though. You may make it and you can keep it concealed after you get in this State. I would come as soon as possible and not wait until dead of winter if I could help it. Better come with Mr. Owen and family if they come.
Well, Bob, is old Dennis dead? Send him to me by the first passing. This leaves all well. Florence is the smartest chap you ever saw. She can get up and stand alone. She laughs so much. She is just cutting up now. Write soon to your brother.
T. W. England, Jr.


Lamar County Texas Jan. 5th 1876

T. W. England – Dear Brother
I take up this very first opportunity I have had of writing to you. My letter will be of a sad to me and doubly so to you. The day after I left Camden Ursy was put to bed in the small wagon with the pneumonia. This was Sunday; Jimmie had been complaining of feeling weak and having a slight fever for two days. On Monday I had a bed fixed for him in the large wagon. I gave them both McLain’s pills and procured free action on the bowels and then gave Quinine. On Wednesday I crossed the Red River and camped four miles above the ferry. There was a dry goods store and a Doctor. Jimmie asked me if I was going to have the doctor examine Ursy. I told him “no, I knew what was the matter and what he needed.” He did not consult the doctor in his own case. I thought it would be well for him to do so but I did not urge him to do so. That night I thought Usry would die Jimmie on the other hand broke into a fine warm sweat. I thought he was safe. I told him we would keep down the fever with quinine. Thursday night we were in 5 or 6 miles of Zepurcana Ursy was slightly better but Jimmie’s fever returned that evening. I proposed to put them on the cars next morning. They could reach Haney Grove and go to Polk (?) to be taken care of. All of this could be done in two days at most. The weather was fine and frosty but if it began to rain I did not know if I could take care of them. They talked the matter over for some time and decided to stay with the wagons. The next night Jimmie decided to take the cars at the next depot. I inquired for the next depot in the morning and learned that the road was not done and that we would not see the cars no more until we reached Paris. His fever continues to come on at night. He would sweat it off in the morning. His appetite was pretty good but he was growing weaker. Sunday morning we entered Boston. I asked him if he would have a doctor or anything else. He wanted a nubia to tie around his neck, nothing else. On inquiry I found I could buy nothing else in the place on Sunday but drugs. I gave him two pills the night before. They acted well that day (Sunday). At dinner time he had to go aside and asked me to go assist him. This was the first time he had to have help. I determined then to stop until he was better. The medicine produced five discharges more like tar than anything else. That night he ate some chicken with his milk and mush. His fever was so high that he was delirious most of the night. I turned two miles south of the main road and got to a house of E. H. Cabler. I hired young Cabler to go for the doctor immediately. The doctor came a little after dinner. He lived 6 or 7 miles off. Said to be the best in the county. Jimmie was sweating freely. On examination, the doctor said the worse of the case was over. Said he saw his tongue had been coated but had been cleaned off all but a little at the back part. This was true. He directed to give toddy or eggnog every hour with light diet. I took him aside and asked him how long would it be before I could safely travel with him. He said two or three days. He thought it unnecessary to come again but said if he did not improve as fast as he thought, ride over and he would give directive. His directions were followed to the letter. There was no alterations until Tuesday night. He then got worse. I sat by him from midnight till day. Just before day he prayed long and earnestly. At the end of his prayer he had a convulsion. I saw all was over. I sent for Mr. and Mrs. Cabler. They came quickly. He had another convulsion when it was over he sat up on the sick bed and said to my wife, “Tell Pa how it all was and how I taken the headache in the Arkansas bottom and had two or three light chills and this fever came on me and I could not help it. Tell him my last days were my best days. See that I am buried decently. Send my trunk to Bro Green and send it to Pa and let him divide with Bro. Tom”. These were his last rational words, just as I have written them. The rain had fallen incessantly ever since Monday night. I gave him a dose of opium to stop the convulsions. He had one more and then he became quiet. I sent for Dr. Bryant as soon as I could. Yet I knew he could do him no good, but thought it would be more satisfaction to you. The doctor was gone and when the young man found him he said he would come soon as he could. He never came at all. Jimmie went off gradually till 8 o’clock at night; he breathed his last. Thus died one of the best young men I ever knew. I am old to have passed through much, but this was the hardiest trial of my life. I did everything for him that I would have done for my own child and I now don’t think I could do better if it was to do over again. I paid his burial expenses out of my own money and have his trunk in my possession. I shall write to Tom this day to come and get his effects. I have not opened his belt and know nothing of its contents. I made him as nice a coffin as I could; put his best suite on, bought shoes, gloves and co and buried him decently as I could. This was his request. I buried him in a private graveyard at the house of Mr. L. W. Wimberly, 8 miles west of Boston, 2 miles south of the road from Boston to Clarksville. I inquired for a Methodist minister to make some suitable remarks at his grave. There was none nearer than Boston and he a Circuit rider, perhaps not at home. The people of the neighborhood showed us every kindness in their power, especially the Mr. Calbers and Mr. Wimberly. The young people were all Methodist. I wish I had room to tell all their kind acts. I have filled my sheet and must close for this time. I have not told the half. Usry is just able to ride a little. I hauled him from Camden here on a bed, got here Thursday 28th and moved to my place Saturday 1st January. Hoping to hear from you soon. I am as ever, L. A. Owen.

I think it was heart disease that ailed Jimmie. I mistakened it for the fever, so did Dr. Bryant.


Sulphur Springs, Texas Jan 22nd 1876
Mr. J. G. England
My Dear Brother—
It has been a very long time since I have written you owing to the fact that brother Jimmie was on his way to my house who could have told me more than I will ever know by writing. You, no doubt have received the sad intelligence of his death ere he arrived at his most desired earthly haven. “In the midst of life we are in death .” The old must die, the young may die. We had looked for him so long and had laid off so much pleasure to be enjoyed on his arrival, and during the present year, that the world can never fill the aching void occasioned by his death. There is a whole link broken out of the pleasures of my life that can never be replaced. It seems that I am left alone in this fair land. It seems, also, that every effort I make to enjoy the comforts of earth with any people and friends falls fruitless at my feet. I have this request to make of those who lead in singing at the time his funeral is preached, provided it is familiar. I found the words in his trunk. They are as follows:
“I’ll soon be at home over there
In that ladn so beautiful and fair,
There I’ll meet with loved one so dear
Who are watching and waiting for me.”
Chorus – “Over there, Over there, Over there”
Sing this for my sake if you can – “Man proposes, but God disposes.”
All events are controlled by the Almighty. How long we may live upon Earth is not ours to tell. “Alas! Who of us can tell what a day may bring forth, much less a year.” Our brother has followed us, now we have to follow him. Let’s ask ourselves this question. “Will the waters be chilly when I am called to die?” Let us prepare against it, and meet him beyond the waters of death.
We all enjoy the best of health. Have plenty to eat and to spare. We send much love to you all. Hoping to see you in Texas by next Fall.
I remain your brother in Christ. Thos W. England

Tell father I have written Jimmie’s obituary and sent it to Nashville C. S. T.W. E.
P. S. Tell father and the children to write me who sent some of the things in Jimmie’s trunk. I am determined to remove him to the graveyard nearest to where I settle. Then fix his grave up in order. .

Mr. J. G. England: Dear son, yours of May 30th was received on yesterday. We were glad to hear of your health and prospects for crops. I wish you were here this evening to walk over my crops and of my neighbors. I would like to show you more good corn than ever you saw in one day. It said that corn ill not bring more than 15 or 25 cents next fall and winter though prospect is good for cotton. Our corn is topping and silking. We have had plenty of rain this year, too much rain for the last 10 days. My cotton is full to the neck. My pool has been running over; my 2 wells have a fine chance in them so you can see that I have more water than I ever did at this time of the year. It is easier and cheaper to get water here than it is where you live. We have a potato patch. The doctor told me to say to you that he had been offered what his land cost and he would not sell.
The doctor does a little practice and I am glad that it is little. This speaks well for this country. I have a good house and good land to rent and I only wish to know if you were coming next winter. I certainly know what you can do in Mississippi. I also see, hear, and know what you could do in Texas. I am not boasting on Texas, neither would I deceive you. I have given you the facts for your good and that of your family. If you come to Texas you certainly can have but one regret; that would be that you did not come at an early period. Tell Eliza that I did not believe that she had confidence enough in me to know that I would not advise you against your interest. We have heard that land was worth 15 dollars per acre in Mississippi.
Write soon, and lengthy. Your father. T. W. England

Lamar Texas June 27 1879
Mr. J. G. England
Dear Son, Your of June 1st was received in due time. My health has improved though my nerves have not become steady enough to write much. You must write often and allow me to write when I can. Cotton crops are said to be good here. Corn crops it is thought will turn out well. Our corn looks green and promising. Corn is worth 35 cents, flour 2.40 per hundred; bacon as good as you ever ate from 5 to 6 cents; sugar house molasses 50 cent; sorghum from 25 to 40 cents. Society is pretty far. I live in two miles of Foresthill church where my membership is and I certainly have heard some of the best preaching since I came to Texas that I ever did hear. Dr. Clarke, principal of the female institute at Honey Grove is one of the best I ever heard. Dr. A. C. Allen of Mississippi is the stationed preacher in Paris. There are but a few Campbellites or Baptist here. I wish you to write soon and tell me what your prospect is for coming to Texas next fall. Now is your time. I think we are going to build an academy for school. The house to be 26 by 40 framed. The house will be not much over 100 yards from my house. I expect to send Lee and Mattie all next year. My farm will be to rent I expect.
Yours, T. W. England
Saturday morning June 28. Well, JG, we had rain last night. It has been raining this morning. This rain will make early corn; late corn will require another rain. Some of our neighbors have roasting ears. We had cotton blossoms the 15 if not before that time. The cotton is the whitest with blossoms now that I ever saw at this time in June. I have not (had) any beef but once since I came to Texas. I bought 29 lbs at 37 cents. Come over this evening and walk over my crop and you will wish to farm in Texas.
My advice to you is to sell out and move to Texas. If you do sell let me know at once and I will write to you how to move.
T. W. England
Have you sold the molasses? Write soon. Tell me about the crops and how all my old acquaintances are doing. Where is Parson Miller and (what) became of old Griffin? Give my respects to Andrew and John Thomas and all (?) friends. T. W. E.

Center Hill Texas November 12th 1882
Mr. J. G. England
Dear Brother, I will write you a few lines this morning for the first time in a good while. We are having a right cold day for the first this fall. We have had a very warm wet fall. Cotton in this neighborhood is very sorry. We are going to move 27 miles North East from here. We have moved two loads and expect to move the family next week. I have found me a sweet heart down there. Her name is one Miss Davis. She dances a little but that doesn’t hurt her. Tom is talking of going to Arkansas. Some think he wants to go to Miss. We are fine up here so we can’t raise stumps. It is a very hard living digging out of the ground and no stock but what is fed from our labor. We are going in the edge of the timber where hogs can run outside. Green, I think you might write me and a while. I am getting too old to write and will close for the present. I remain your true brother.
A. L. England
Direct your next letter to : Paras Lamar county Texas
I don’t know where our regular Post Office will be but we will move by Paras.
Pa said he would give you a letter when he got moved.
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Gipson April 4, 1883
Mr. J. G. England
Dear son, yours of March 25 was read today. We were all glad to read your letter and wonder why you do not write often or have you nearly forgotten us. I moved last November to this place. I let Mr. John R. Davis have 85 acres for 88 acres. He gave me 200 dollars too between places. I now live in the Hackberry Thicket, as good as there is in Texas; every part is said to be rich. I take the Advocate and North Texan. I think I have taken the Advocate 35 years without missing a year. As to T W, as I know nothing certain of. He moved to Arkansas in a few days after I moved. He has not written to any of my family, though I hear that he wrote to our preacher at Center Hill for his church letter. Rumor states that he got in forty miles of where he started, became disgusted at the country and came back to Blossom Station. It is 8 miles to Blossom from my house. Thomas will not accumulate unless he settles. He is a strange being. You must make allowance for him. It seems as if he will not stay on one place more than 2 years. You know how he praised Texas till I moved, then he would advise you to stay in Miss. I received a letter from Robert a few days ago that gave me a great satisfaction. He seems to be striving for Heaven. JGE, be religious. I do not expect to meet on earth though I do hope to meet you in Heaven.
T. W. England direct to Gipson Post office in Lamar County Texas
Honey Grove, Texas
May 28th 1882

Dear Brother,
I presume you have by this time forgotten all about a brother of yours that left the State some nine years ago to seek his fortune among the scenes of the great west.
He lives yet. Though his feet have trod a crooked, winding path and his eyes have looked upon many strange scenes, yet he is constrained to acknowledge, Vanities of vanities, all is vanity. Though the different apartments of our Father’s house are full of interesting instruction to its occupants, yet ‘twill not do to rest our affections thereon. We should have a noble higher purpose and aim in vision.
Although hundreds came to this country, hundreds leave this country. The whole world is now under fence in this country.
The times are harder and harder every year on the poor people. Those who are able to have pastures charge visitors and poor people $1.00 per month per head for the privilege of grazing their work horses and milk cows. From now on there will be nowhere for stock to graze, only in black land cases. Don’t you know we’ll have fat stock and a quantity of milk and butter? Poor folks will have to get up and hike for other parts. No other alternative.
Great confusion existing among the (?) class of people.
Our health is good. General health is good. Farming interests dull. Most people had to plant their cotton all over. Some the third time. Corn is very good, but the cotton prospect very sorry. I have 18 acres in cotton, 8 in corn, 2 in oats, wheat is also good. Oats, medium. We had a good deal of rain in the spring. The worst washing rain I ever witnessed. A general dissatisfaction prevails among the people. Some want to buy all that the next have. Some want to leave the country and are too hard up to get off. Some are going to leave. As a rule the landlords are very oppressive. They generally get what the renter makes and wish to God they had more.
One reason why I don’t write oftener is because I have so much to do. I have been Superintendent of our S. S. and Vice Supt. of another all spring. Besides I am generally teacher in one or the other of the schools. I am also Sec. of Church Conf. And in addition to all these, I am teaching a music class of 30 scholars which meets every Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. I sing at two different places on Sunday. So you see, I have to “git up and git.” So far as property is concerned, I “hante” got it. 2 good mules, 2 good mares, 2 good cows and calves are my stock. I good wagon (2 horse), plenty of farming tools, household and kitchen (?), 1 old woman, 4 children, 1 dog, 1 cat and about 40 old hens, together with books and 1 shot gun would be fair inventory of our possessions. Now you will please write me soon – a long letter. Love to all.
Your bro. T. W. England, Jr.


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I don't think I sent any of these letters to you. If I did, please disregard the ones that have been sent. I tried to look at the ones I have sent, but may have missed some. I think the first letter was written when Thomas W. England was in school. If you do not know where Scooba is, it is a small town in Mississippi. There is a Community College there now. As before, I hope these letters will be of some benefit to you in looking at your family history. L. Young

Scooba Academy
Saturday Morning May 11th, 1872
Mr. Jno Green England
Dear Brother,
Your Calhoun letter of May 5th was received May the 10th . Now, as you asked me to look over your letter on account of your being from home and not being favorably situated for writing. I have done so. I have looked over it two or three times, but the worst of it is I did not have much to look at. But, I reckon I shall have to excuse it, inasmuch as Mr. Walton’s houses are burned up and as old Uncle Ben has gone crazy. You are excusable, sir, for this time; but you must do better next time.
Well, I have no news of importance to send you. People have been suffering for rain considerably here of late. But, we are getting a very nice, slow rain this morning. Hope we may have a good season. Am glad to hear you have good prospect for a crop.
Our school is prospering tolerably well. We have about 40 students. Mr. Robinson sent to New Orleans and got a very nice set of school furniture, seats, desks, etc. to the assessment of $150.00. We will soon be nicely fixed up for study. Yesterday was declamation day. Some twelve or fifteen visitors came in to witness our monkey business. We will now commence preparing for the examination which will come off somewhere between the first and twelfth of July. I expect you are out in your potato patch this morning setting out slips or down in the cotton patch chopping cotton. Saturday is always a very busy day with me. I have to write three or four letters nearly every Saturday. I bought me a fine pair of boots yesterday evening. Guess I will step high now. This leaves me and Mr. Robinson’s family all very well. Hope it will find you and sister well also.
Nothing more at present. Write soon and let me have all the news. I remain your affectionate brother. Thos. W. England, Jr.

Monday Morning Dec. 16th 1878

Dear Brother Green,
It has been quite a while since I received your last kind favor and perhaps you have grown weary waiting for a reply. Well, as the man said when he was by himself “here we go.”
I apprehend that you will not accompany father to Texas this winter, not being able to sell your effects advantageously. My last information relative to their moving was that they expected to start so as to have ample time to arrive at Honey Grove by Christmas and that Henry Lee and Mattie were all the children that would come with them. This being the case, I guess they are now about starting and a pretty cold time they have for the business for we have had sleet and ice here for several days previous; but at this writing the weather is fair and fine though quite cold. Well, I should have been glad to have seen you along with the balances for I know you will come just as soon as you can dispose of your real estate in Miss.
When, if ever, you cut loose from the land of our birth and boyhood and weigh anchor for the “Emprise State” be sure you do not anticipate that you are leaving behind all sorrow and care, sickness and death; for such a place is not attainable this side of Heaven. For this is recommended as the garden of the world and I assure you that “flitters do not grow on bushes nor the streams flow with honey” in this country. The land of plenty of which you spoke is beyond the tide of time.
Good crops in Texas this year. Corn is worth from 15 to 40 cents, wheat 75 to 80, etc. Pork will be very cheap. This will leave us all in fine health. My wheat, being sowed late, is now well up. I expect to spend a good deal of time this winter in the cedar brakes, chopping poles for fencing. Aim to begin this week. Wish you were here so I could give you an introduction to rail making in this part of the country. Excuse haste for Narcissis is waiting for the lass (?). Write soon.
Your brother Thos England

Palo Pinto, Texas July 17th 1879
Mr. Jno G. England
Dear Brother, If memory serves me correctly, I have received one or two short notes from you, the which I now assay to answer. This has been a very trying year with the farmers of this country. The earth has not been well wet for twelve months; and the result is crops will be wonderfully short. Corn crop is almost a total failure in this county this year. Wheat and oats were extremely short; the average yield of wheat being about 5 bushels. As to corn, I will speak for myself. I will not make 2 ½ bushels per acre. I have been living here for 3 years and I have put in the time well, and have endeavored to use the best judgment and energy that I could possibly command and I can only say with regret that my time is lost. I have made nothing above a living. I have managed to live out of debt, and support my family – that’s all.
The soil in this country is as sick as in any country I’ve ever seen but the one great trouble is that we never have any rain. I have some corn that will do for bread in 6 to 8 days that never had but one shower on it. I have other corn now in silk that never was well wet; the rain that brought it up being all that it ever got. I have cotton (6 acres) like unto the corn; though the cotton has stood the drought much better than corn. Cotton in many parts of the country looks flourishing.
My convictions, after 3 years experiences are as follows: I am too far west for a farmer. This is a healthy country and needs only rain to make it a farming country. Eastern Texas is too sock for poor folks. I am now trying to sell out. If I succeed, I shall go east about 75 miles, probably in Denton or Wise counties. That is a good farming country and healthy also. I cannot possibly afford to do so much hard work and receive not enumeration for my labor. I would not advise you to go to eastern Texas, neither would I ask you to come to this country. I have not heard from father since (?) 9th.
Write soon. Give all the news.
As ever, Your Brother T. W. England
P. S. For the last 3 weeks I have not been able to work. I had an attack of flux and bilious fever combined. Had a very bad spell. The doctor visited me 3 times. I am now able to go about but am not able to work. My family are all in good health. I had been thinking of visiting father this summer until I got sick. But alas, who of us can tell what a day may bring forth. I could write a great deal but it would do you no good so I will close for the present and if ever you come to Texas, why then I will tell you wondrous tales
Yours Kindly T. W. E.

Honey Grove Texas Sept. 26th 1880
Dear Brother,
Yesterday I received a letter from you, the contents of which made me glad – glad to think that you could live so sumptuously in the old country of Miss. Plenty of corn, cotton, tobacco, potatoes, fruit. Children, and they well clad for the approaching winter, in brand new home made lively.
And now for a bit of advice: Just so long as you can make such a living on soil to which you have a “bona fide” title, stick to it like a terrapin to a snake’s tail. Stay with it and let all these finely gotten up reports “Texas’ rolling prairies, undulating slopes and alluvial mountain coves,” go to Africa, and pay no more attention to them that you would to the tingling sound of a morning bell.
Many will say unto you, as did Horace Greely, “go west you man and grow up with the country,” but I say unto you as did Able Lincoln, “stay where you are, if doing well, and grow fat.”
“Tis an indisputable fact that “a rolling stone will gather no moss,” and ‘tis equally true that “a setting goose will gather no feathers,” but unlike the goose though we may stay all our lives at one place we should not sit still; but, stir out early and late – walk, jump, run. After a trial of 7 years, I know I am prepared to say that a good timbered country is better for a poor man than a good prairie country is; simply because that a poor man’s time and labor constitute his capital. If it is out of the question for a poor man to endeavor to utilize his labor or time in a prairie country, for he can’t do so for he must either buy or steal the wood that cooks his bread and warms his wife and children while the north wind blows so cold that it will almost split the hide on the bottom of your feet where it comes through a crack in the floor. I have tried faithfully to love and appreciate Texas but I can’t. In this part of Texas corn and cotton do fine, but nothing else does well. You are not allowed to have a hog, sheep, goose, or goat, all of which are indispensable on the farm. And as for peace, there is none to be seen for the millions on millions of chiggers that eat your flesh into sores and the sores into holes.
I will make 6 to 8 bales (of) cotton and 6 or 7 hundred bushels (of) corn, but nothing else. Will soon have out two bales, aim to take them to Paris this week. Oh, rain all the time here of late. We are all in good health. The connection well.
Your bro. Thos. W. England, Jr

Center Hill, Texas
January 10, 1882

Dear Brother, As it has been a long time since I heard from you, I will endeavor to write you a few lines. I have nothing of interest to write you more than we are all well except Pa. He went to Paris today to see a doctor he thinks can cure him. There is a right smart sickness in this neighborhood. Henry McLendon is almost at the point of death with pneumonia. He has just been sick one week. There is some excitement here about smallpox They have one case in Dodd City about 16 miles from here. We have had a great deal of rain here lately. The ground has become so soft that it is dangerous to run the cars. There were two men killed on the train the other night by the ground giving way under a bridge. It let the car fall into a creek. I am going to school. I was very much surprised to learn that Henry had given up coming to Texas and had married a widow, but we never know what is in the future. I am impressed he has bettered his condition. Well, I have gotten to be a long, slim Texas now. I am six feet, and by weight, 150 pounds. Mattie is very stout. She weighs 140 pounds. Tom and family are all well. Pa has 25 acres of land rented out and a hand hired to ten the rest. I would like very much to see you all and now I think it is time you were coming to Texas. You will kill yourself in that big timber before waiting. Pa has returned from Paris. He thinks there is some hope of him getting well.
Well, I must close for the present as I am sleepy. Write soon to us all. I never hear from Sallie. I don’t expect she wants to hear from us.
As ever, your brother. A. E. England