Item 4

                   Beattie
Mr. Samuel Beatie   Esq                                            Seven Mile Ford Va
Columbia
Boon County Missouri                                                 March 27, 1826

Esteemed Brother:
                   It has been a long time since ______
We have had more sickness _____  several  deaths.  I presume you heard of the death
of Uncle John Stewart.  A dreadful accident on the North Fork about a month ago – Several boats started down the River.  Cousin William Hayter happened to be in one – Cousin Wm and a young Mr. Linder were drowned ---- Brother William has settled himself on the road near __ Robinsons.  Father has given him an excellent 265 acre farm.   He has also given Absalom a choice tract.
                 Sister Nancy and Robert B. Edmondson are to be married April 11.
 Leaves are familys  – good health[. ] fathers family and all your friends and relations so far as I know, with the exception of Sister Byan (Byars?) – She has a young child.  My 2nd son is about 7 months old -  a very fine child.  We call him James Claiborn –
                Roberts 2nd dau is about 2 months old – named Julian.
                When you and Dave started to Mo. he gave each of you $1,000 – when I started to Mo he gave me __ 500 + 250 – I have 250 coming to me

                              Josiah N. Beattie 

Note: A transcription of the full letter (considerably more detail than the above abstract) is available on the Scrapbook Text page.