Submitted by Diane
Ethridge
Marion Co. Ala, Aug 17,
1852
Dear Bro. Andrew,
I have thought often of writing
to you but have neglected it longer than I ought to have
done. I received a letter from you about three weeks
since that had been written some time last spring. My
reason for not writing sooner is just this, I have been
rather up a quandary for some time where I should locate
myself or rather settle myself. It has been my
determination to move from where I now live. I have
now decided the point and have bought land in Itawamba
Co. Miss, 21 miles west of where I now live on what is
called Jim's Creek. I am to pay off $1,400.00 first
Oct. I am very well pleased with my bargain. I
get some stock and other little tricks necessary about a
farm. Well, I can say I have been doing very well
since I left Geo. This country is poor and so is
Habersham but I had a good deal and would rather live here.
The settlement where I am going to move is a settlement of
pretty good land and down the creek is very good land.
There are more ways there a man
can turn his hand to make money in this country than that of Geo.
There is going to run or supposed to run very near my land a
road. It is marked off and people are
taking up stock right ahead and it is to run from New
Orleans to Cincinatta. We will get the Orleans trade
water navigation in ten miles of my land
This road they are taking up stock from head to tail are
aiming to have it all completed as near at me as possible.
William lives in Neshoba Co, Miss when he is home though him
and his wife are up here now and will remain up here until
Oct and will then go home and spend the winter. Then
move up and settle with me on Jim's Creek. We are
going to carry on a shop together when we are not engaged in
the field. D. J. Gettry (maybe Guttry), son of
Henry Gettry, Carroll Co. GA, if not dead, was on his back
and took sick in Pontotoc Co. Miss. He went off
with a load he was peddling and word was brought back that
he had the congestive chills. Three individuals have
gone to him, one of which is our school teacher.
Wilton (?) is teaching during his absense. I am
looking for them back constant. Can't tell whether he
is dead or alive. He professed religion since he came
to this county. I hope if his body is in the grave
that his spirit is in Heaven. Our church is not
prospering at present for the surrounding churches are old.
It was on Jim's Creek last week we had a most excellent
meeting. A quarterly meeting at the church that will
be nearest me which is 3 miles from where I am going to
move. Some 75 or 80 members belong to that church.
We are all in good health. Nancy is enjoying as good
health as I ever saw her. Write when you get this and
let me hear from you occasionally. I do not wish you
to be negligent about writing because I am. For you
know I cannot write well. I would just say when I get
moved I will then consider myself settled. I will
close,
Your Brother,
B. Dorsey
To Andrew Dorsey
Diane Ethridge
3rd gr granddaughter of Andrew
Dorsey of White Co. GA
