Jessamine County Ky 9th Feb 1826
Mr. James E. B. Austin
Dr Sir I have not had the pleasure of a communication from
you for about 2 years, nor have I written you during that time, but
from no other cause but the impossibility of a safe conveyance—I
have now an opportunity by Dr J. Fry which I gladly embrace—
In your last you recommended me to come to your Country which at
that time I had an idea of doing, but afterwards got into business
here that was tolerably good and for that reason, then declined it.
I have not yet however, changed my determination, should the inducement be sufficient, for I am yet unmarried and ready to start to
any Country that holds out a sufficient inducement, and shall wait
with anxiety to hear from you on the subject—
A great many persons are now talking of removing to Texas and
believe the number will increase, John M. Henderson lately started
to New. Orleans, and it is his intention to go from there to your
Brother's settlement, you know John, and it is needless for me to
say he is deserving of your friendship, and his knowledge of the
duties of a Clerk might possibly be of service to your Brother or at
least to assure himself the means of a livelihood—
Times and men have changed in this Country more than you
would imagine,—I know not how long it has been since you have heard
from here, but presume it has been some time, under this presumption
I now write, and shall give a summary detail of your old acquaintances, but if my presumption is erroneous, and you have lately heard
from some of your friends here then the letter or that part of it that
looks anterior to your previous information will be useless—I will
however proceed,—Wm Walker is living in the lower part of this
State he is keeping a Tavern on the road between this and Nashville, Georgian is yet unmarried, I have not seen any of the family
for 3 years but am told she is handsome beyond comparison, Martha
and Jane you have no doubt heard are both married, John C. Walker
is living somewhere in Tennessee. George was some time since in
Warrington Missippi, I know not where Andrew is, Kidder is
teaching school I am informed near Russellville in this State. I
have not seen him for near 2 years. Jacob was, not long since at
Mobile, Alabama, and Joseph is living with Dr E. Warfield in his
Store in Lexington—so much for the Walker family for which I
presume you feel a deeper interest, than for any other in this County
Major R. Crockett is living in Nashville and some time since talked
of going to your country, but believe he has not yet gone—It would
be almost an endless task for me to pretend to give you a detail of
the miner events that have transpired since you left us, such as
marriages deaths &c suffice it that I am almost the only man you
knew in the county but what has either married or gone off—Dr, J.
Fry called upon me this morning for the letter to you which, with
much pleasure I gave him, believing him to be entirely a gentleman
and worthy of your confidence—
In that letter I added a Postscript, stating, that if a great press of
business did not prevent, I would write you by him, which he politely
promised to be the bearer of—he also, promised to bear a communication from you on his return which I hope you will send, as it would
give me the greatest pleasure to hear from you,—
Wishing you health prosperity and happiness
D. Crozer [Rubric]