Author: Wm. H. Thomas
Virgil, Nov 7, 1870
Brother George, I take a few moments to pen you a few lines. We are all well at this date and hope this will find yourself and family the same. Ma reed the box in due time and all write and were very much pleased with the contents Mary and Manly was over here one week ago . they are all well. I was at John Franks last Saturday. They are well, health generally good in this vicinity. It has been very dry in several counties in this state. Cortland has not suffered as much as the northern and western counties. Pick is a running his old machine and as you see God as I had a nail I could fix it. I keep the same team I had last fall and am a plowing it goes complete Ed has gone to Pa with James and has gone to work driving team at $25 per month. We are a having rather a warm political stir in this senatorial district at the regular radical convention. Cortland was promised the member provided they would not run RH Duel when they met at Syracuse Duet got the nomination. The Onandaga Deligates bolted and offer Dennis McCarthy of Syracuse in an independent ticket and the democrats has dropped their man and go in for McCarthy the home stir is for Sherif Haynes Rep John D Benton Dem it is a close thing I think Benton will get the office.
Ashur has bought out Den Hearvy I was over to see them they feel good over their bargain 70 acres of land for ?? dollars. Lots of good tiber, chestnut, oak, ash and all kinds of fruit was a great yield with us this season. Cider is worth $150 per bushel apples are from six cents to 37 cents per bushel produce is low and slow of sale. Stock is a drug it is mostly thin owing to the drought. Sheep are low and finally everything is cheap compared with last fall. I sold those ewes I had when you was down here for 450 in Jersey this fall state sheep bring 2.75 and $500 in the same market and are slow of sale on 3 months time. Butter and cheese is short by one third of last years product. Grain is rather short. We have large shipments from the west. I have no more news to write you this time. My excuse for not answering your letter before is had a lame hand and it has got tired out and I shall have to close by saying Ma was as proud of her peaches as a little girl with a new dress and the shugar was a great treat to her. Has health is very good for her. she sends her love to George, Julia, and the babes and her respects to David and all of her folks.
Write soon as you receive. From Wm. H. Thomas
To G.S. Thomas
Give my love to Julia and kiss the boys and gals for me