Item Description: A letter from a slave at Fort Fisher sending thanks to his master for money and instructions for the care of his family. Despite difficulty spelling due to lack of education, he writes well and enough to communicate that he was experiencing hard times, and hopes that his family will have enough.

Citation: From Folder 41a, in the Ralph Gorrell papers #1520, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Transcription: 

This December 6, 1864

Deare Master, I now seate myself alone(?) to promis to let you no that I am wel at the time and am in hope these few lines may find you the same. I have no nuse to let you no of but hard times and worse a coming. I receaves your letter the other day and the $20 and it was a grate help to me for I had none before it come to hand I hoped to be at home by Christmas if not before but I dont know when the time will come I hope befor long.

pleas have my corn save and sold and do the best you can til I get home if you plese and tel my wife to tak care of my children and all the rest of my thing thing tel L(?) to by lathe and have my wife and and save me a mes of bows and clutchlings. So no more at this time yours til deth Robert Goil to his master

and send this to Mr. C(?) and tel him to send your boys some money and something to eate if it is conveiat and let me heir from you to let us no what to do.

Dos C(?)

Direct to forte fisher in hand of Robert More.