(A copy of a letter written by my great-grandfather, Morris Ramsay, to his son William on October 6, 1887. At the time, Will was about to turn 17.)

Willie:

My dear son, I must give you some advice, for your benefit for the future. I must say you have been an exceedingly good boy and have always done every thing I have asked you to do, and it has been my desire to have you enter this life with as favorable a chart as possible, and will ask that you devote as much of your spare time as is consistent with your health to improve yourself in the different branches of leaning that my be with the business you may choose for a calling.

As you are the oldest in the family you will be expected to lend a helping hand to the younger members of the family and be their counselor also, the same as your father has done for you, and above all see that none of them depart from the right path but follow a good and honorable calling and above all see that none depart from the right path but follow a good and honorable calling and above all things be honest. It is what will count in the end; for ill gotten gain never has the staying qualities and you will be sure to gain far more in the end and have a clear conscience and remember what the poet says: "an honest man is the noblest work of God." There is nothing that your father would wish greater than this.

Consult your mother and your Uncles on all matters of any importance and be guided by their advice.

Be kind to your mother. She may wish you to do many things (that you think as all young persons do) not quite to your liking, but remember she is older and has seen more of the world than you have.

I may enumerate a few things you should never do. Never be profane. Never use any intoxicants of any description. Do not commence the use of tobacco in any form and never go in bad company. "A man is always known by the company he keeps."

This letter is not intended to tie you down but is the very opposite. It is to make a good man of you so you will be an example for your younger brothers and sisters to follow. I wish you preserve this letter and read it once each month. My son I wish that you attend church regular. This may seem a strange advice from me but my reasons for not attending was owing to a dizziness coming over me when in any public gathering. This has been the case for several years now.

My Dear Son, I must conclude this letter for the present and in case I think of any more advice I will add more to it.

Wishing my boy the greatest blessing and guiding care from our Heavenly Father for you I am:

Your affectionate Father,

Morris Ramsay

(Morris Ramsay: 1848-1892. Some paragraphs have been added for emphasis.)