Old Knight Family Letters..Part 1

For some time now, I've been intending on publishing for internet availability some letters and other documents related to my family history. Here are three letters that were written in pencil on lavender-colored paper, so they were difficult to transcribe. They were sent from Esther Knight to her son/my great-great-grandfather, Ebenezer Knight, shortly before her death in 1879. Spelling and capitalization remain true to the original letters.

"Myers Valley
Potawatomie Co. Kansas

April 28. 1875

My dear son

I have been waiting for a letter from you but it seems in vain. You will not write and I am so trembling that I scarcely know how to. When i think that my only two sons should now on my account feel so bad one to the other, I must leave this painful subject. I want you to write me and let me know how your wife and children are. And let me know how Matilda Rogers and her family are. If you see them give my love to them. Also how Mrs. Combs and Mrs. Glasco are. I have never ask you my son for any think before but I should be very glad if you spare me a trifle now and then to buy me some tea. For ever since the grasshoppers destruction they have never used coffe nor tea and David's wife sold her cow because they had no feed so they have been deprived of milk and butter. So that it has gone hard with them, and as it happens often one trouble don't come alone. About a month ago their other [illegible] colt died. I must close for I am to nervous I can write no more at present.

From your
affectionate
mother
E. Knight

Answer this as soon as possible and don't keep me in suspence. May the blessings of God rest upon you it is my fervent prayer."

Letter 2:

"It is nearly 9 months since your brother David sent you a letter, but we have heard no answer. I have been very sick and am still very weak. My memry is very bad, but I have not forgot i have a son Ebenezer who had a wife + family. I hope when you receive this letter you will read it directly. If you do not I shall think you have disowned your mother and brother altogether, but remember you are as dear to me as when the Lord first gave you to me. Remember we ought to forgive if we expect to be forgiven. Now your brother feels no [illegible] toward you than he did this winter. He was in great trouble at the time and you did not answer the letters he wrote, but I will say no more about it. Your brother is in hope you will write so soon and let me know how you all are getting along. I had such a bad cough in January that i thought I was going home, but The Lord as been pleased to spare me but I am very weak and feeble. But I feel strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might. My son I hope if we never see one another again on Earth we shall meet in Heaven where parting will be known no more. Give my love to your wife and children when ever you can't find time to write."


Letter 3: [apparently written to one of Ebenezer's children]

"I received your letter with the pictures and was much pleased that I was not quite forgotten by my oldest son. Finally I was glad to hear you enjoyed yourself on Christmas day. I am not able to comply with your wish to send my picture. Your aunt Esther Kreutzinger as got me and your grandfather Knight, in one and if at any time you should visit you can see it. Whenever your sister Ellen can spare the money I would like to have her and her brother David James picture together. Give my love to Thos. and his wife and tell them i wish them all the happiness the world can offer them and that is but little at the best. Tell them thou I never espect to see them on Earth I hope to meet in heaven where parting will be knone no more."

Note, written in ink, apparently by David Knight:

"This is all I can find of Mother's last writing. I would have written for her but for the reasons given on this sheet, she would not allow it.

D.K."