Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee

Dec 23, 1883

Mr. A. T. Blair

Williamsburg, McMinn County Dear Brother, I thought I would try to find out more about your mill Irons and write to you again, but to my great surprise I learn that more than your mill Irons have bin sold. Your lot of land has bin sold for the taxes, I do not know whether you will believe it, for I could not when I first heard it myself, but Gilford went to the Trustee, and he told him it was so, and James P. Catleth had bid it off. So there is no doubt about it at all

March 2, 1884

Since writing, the above I have received yours of Jan 15, and on account of bad weather and mumps have not had time to write until the present. The account that I had of Mill Irons is not itemized, it is the account Father kept, and it sayeth for Castings & machinery $50.00 smithwork $$72.91 cts for Iron and Steel [blotted out] in all $136.62.. I went to the last County Court to see J. W. Andes but did not get to see him. I do not know why he does not write and give you some satisfaction or why he let your lot be sold for the taxes. I was told he gets one dollar per moth rent for House & lot and his renters have burnt up your smokehouse broke the cash plates that held the gate in cases, in too for five dogs Jesse Ackley, made his little boy, a saddle to pay, his rent. Couch made buggy harness to pay his rents, and Sister saw him refuse money from Gen. Maples for his widowed daughter that lived in the cabin he always keeps some one their and he gets the pay. I did not learn for what year taxes your lot was sold, it may be the time is pretty nigh out and no one can redeem it but yourself or agent. I would have written soon, but we have all had the mumps from the least to the oldest and last of all Mr. Mills took them and was very bad and I had the feeding to do at both places, and wood to get and it kept me busy all the time, We thought we were all well until this cold snap (?) but now we can feel the effects of mumps with acheing joints and swollen parotid glands which are very disagreeable.

I cannot make you a bid now under present circumstances, but would rather you would set your price on it and then I would tell you whether I could reach it or not. Under strained circumstances I hope you will excuse me for not writing sooner. I have not heard from any of our relations in this county for several weeks. Don’t know how they are getting along.

This leaves all complaining about the effects of the mumps, but hope it may find you all well and injoying the blessings of life

I remain as ever your affectionate brother, Robert H. Blair

Columbus August 12th 1841

Dear Father

I take my pen in hand to give you a full history of our business we have not made a neat calculation yet but this statement will not be fare rong we have notes and judgments in Philadelphia to the amount of $1065.87 ½

in Columbus Book act to the amt of $1961.75

in Columbus notes to the amt of 637.37 ½

Cash in hand to the amt. of 700.00

amount of good in hand at first cost $2239.62 ½

6604.62 ½

The amount of goods bot is 5773.72 ½

830.90

Our bank debt is 700.00

$130.90

the amount of money but in the first line 869.70

the amount furnished Mcgaughey 1471.00

$2471.60