John Hawkins 1819/1820

In his letters to his family in Baltimore, John Hawkins spent most of his time expressing religious views. But his letters also contains nuggets of information about daily life in the Madison area.

"Life of John H.W. Hawkins, compiled by his son, Rev. William George Hawkins A.M.."

New York: 1859. Sheldon Blakeman & Co.

Bedford, Ky. Nov. I7, 18I9.

I have been working for a Mr. Thompson, in Bedford, eleven miles from Madison, ever since the 23d of August, and expect to work for him all winter. I get better wages than I got in Baltimore or anywhere else. Board is low, — two dollars and a half per week. I shall soon be in want of some linen, but do not like to pay what they ask for it in this country. Linen that you can get in Baltimore for fifty cents, they ask one dollar and a half for here, and this is too extravagant. If you can possibly find an opportunity of sending me enough for the present, I will compensate you for it if I am ever privileged to see you again, which I hope I may next spring.

Madison, Indiana, Dec. 2I, 1819.

Bring tea and coffee with you, for these are scarce articles here; coffee sells at fifty and sixty-two and a half cents per pound, tea at three dollars and fifty cents per pound. I know not when I shall see Baltimore again; perhaps not before next fall; it may be not before a year from that time.

Madison Feb. 26, 1820.

I feel indebted to you for your fatherly advice; certainly, you could not do me a greater favor, at present, than to forward me such wholesome food. Receive my sincere thanks, for it is the only reward I can offer you at present. You know the way; go on, and God will, in the end, take you to himself. I must now give you some detail of the times in the West. There is general suffering among the people. I never witnessed such distressed families as I have seen in the past few months. Only reflect; it has now been eleven months since I left you, and I have done but five months' work; this, certainly, is discouraging. I must leave the country. If I could raise the money I would come on to Baltimore immediately.