Letter From John Charles Towson, dated June 24, 1860:
Dear Friend;
I take my pen in hand to write to you these few lines to let you know that we are all in tolerable good health at present and we hope that these few lines may find you all the same.
We received your letter and we are very glad to hear from you all again, but was sorry to hear that you have lost your health.
We have sold our place lst spring and have left it last March 22, and have moved to the old home place until we can suit ourselves. I have some idea of trying to buy it but I am informed the the writ is within you and I would like you to inform me about it. Mother and Robert Henry have been trying to sell it for a long time, but there is no person willing to buy it under the present circumstances. They are trying to get all into Robert Henry's hands and cut all the rest out of all and that aire in a fair way for it.
Hear Samuel James was cut out of all because he did not marry to please them, but he is as to be hoped that he is gone to rest three years ago, and left a wife but no children. William is rovin' about and has had three wives and one child and that is with mother. Mary Elizabeth is married and has six or seven children and Arianne is married and has one, and Robert Henry, the Queen of the family lives with mother. He was married and then parted in six months and no child. Isabell Leair is at home with mother and is single and I believe they're all well. 
I was to see poor old grandmother's grave yesterday, poor soul. See ended her days in hardship and trouble.She had money gave to her to pay from tombstones, but there is none, yet. Pepairia and I suppose there never will be unless I get them. Her money was used for other purposed, but I will try to get them and have them put out for mother Isabell Arianna.
Robert lives in Carrol County, Maryland, Mary E. lives in Frederick County, Maryland and we live in Hartford County.
I have understood that you paid one hundred dollars and it is deeded to you and recorded in Bellaire. If you think you could take that hundred dollars and your interest from that time to the present time and give a good clear deed, I would buy it and pay you your money as the place is a goin down for years and the buildings is nearly all gone to wreck. And there has been no repair, either a done the place or buildings.
If you think that you can make me a good clear deed I will pay you all your money principle and interest cash together as you have all the power in your hands and they want all the property in their hands and the rest of us that has worked as hard as they have and shall share nothing as if one child was not as near as another.
But thank the Lord I am able to work for what we can do with in this world. For I do not crave more than a comfortable living while we stay here in this unfriendly world. Only so we may enjoy peace and happiness in that blissful world to come.
I had done nothing if there can be anything done about this piece of land that I would come out there to see you this fall and have it first.
Please to write to us soon and write all about it. Please to excuse me for not writing to you sooner. When you write please direct your letter to the Peach Bottom Post Office, York County, Pa.
Nothing more at present but remaining your affectionate friends.
J.C. Towson
Catherine Towson
and Family

I was forty years old yesterday and Catherine was thirty five today. And we have your old hymn book and your name and age in it that you had when you was a small girl. Leair Freeland and her book.