Letters from Owen Jones – Letter 2 – Undated (Unedited Transcript)

Dear Mother,

I am in hope to see you once more. I am sorry I did not come this winter, reason I could not come. If I had had money I could have fifty dollars by the river to Liverpool I could come in less than a month and could leave my business in winter time goes so well as not for to go in another man vessel.

But in summer time I can’t leave you. May look for me next summer if I live. But they says that they will come next June.

Thomas is 13 years old and Enos is 10 next Monday and they all ask about you. William Hayes garrison loves says that he will come next summer. He is six years.

I send my best respects.

Dear Mother, Brothers & Sisters,

I hope that you are all doing and in good health, the same as we are at present.

I send my best respects to Brother Jones’ wife and all the children.

We have been fishing back please write to me.

Joseph Ann and her family I should like to know you well.

Dear William and Ann I wish you much joy and happiness.

I should like to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Please write me as soon as this reaches you.

Your true and loving son,

Louisville Ky
[unclear name] Jones
U.S. America
Louisville 1863

I have seen one man here 2 years ago. He says that he belongs to [unclear] he calls himself William Jones.

He was raised up. He stayed in my house 2 or 3 nights. I got work for him and place for him to board and I gave him 5 dollars and my wife [unclear] gave him some clothes and he got shoes and went off.

And I was glad of it to don’t drink. He self and don’t want to see any of my country people come here and make a beast of them.

He says that he had a sister living in Corrigdown and his father was killed about 20 years ago in the [unclear].

And he has a brother in Rose Annick. I don’t know but he is where he is.

About the price of things:

Flour per bbl $12 to $16
Sugar 25 cents per lb
Potatoes 50 cents per bushel
Butter 23 cents per lb
Pork 8 cents per lb
Beef 7 cents per lb
Cheese 12 cents per lb
Corn $1.00 per bushel
Oats 90 cents per bushel
Apples one dollar per barrel
Coal ten dollars per ton
Barley one dollar per bushel

Good working horses young from 150 or 175 each
Cows 75 or 100 dollars if you get one

At this present date I would not sell any less nor farming horses.

Give my love to all the children
Thomas Jones
Enos Jones
Elizabeth Jones
William Hayes
Garrison Jones

and one infant now 10 months old.