Graham Letter - Christopher Graham 1864

Christopher wrote to Joseph in December, 1864. The letter, as had so many over the years, contained sad news. Durham Record Office Ref: D/X 1035/22 December 8 1864 Killhope Dear brother I take the pleaser to write to you again hoping to find you all in good health as it leaves us at present but it's a long time (since) we had a letter from you. I have puten off writen expecting one from you but all in vain. We had Watson Peart over from allendale with one in sumer and I was glad to hear (news) from (it) I supose you weare working at a sowmill (sawmill) and doing well. I think it well be beter then mining but I am working in mining still much a bout the old way we have half years payment now one in Nov another in June. I had no pay in June but I had a (pay) in Nov and there will have been fair pays in general in weardale. Jacob is shoemaking still. His shop is at Copt hill he often pleans (complains?) of his pay but I think he has as good as any this time. And Dear brother I must inform you that our Dear brother Jonathan had a long affliction near 3 years. He had 2 abcess or runing and they brot him down to his grove (grave). He died last day of July much lamented by all age 29 years. Jacob and me live together and Jane Ann she is quite up now we have a daughter of Joshua Stobbs to help her. Joshua and Bety is quite fresh. He hast 2 daughter married only one at home and a boy. Nickelas padon and family is well 3 daughter and Jo Thos Dalton and family is well 4 strong son and 2 daughter. Our Thomas and family is well all liven in there old places. I expect you know About Thos Milburn(`s) death who died near 2 years Ago and left A grat family behind him but his eldest son and daughter is both married now. We had a fine sumer very dry seson and a very open backend and corn is very lo(w) only 1s 10d per stone flour (and) stock of all kinds is very high mouten is 7 to 8 pence per pound beef 6d to 7d per lb. We hear from your country ever week A bought the war by the newspapers and sad work it must be there has been thousand(s) slain. I do not know how you has escaped from it for there has been sad work in New York for men we have h(e)ard tell of but by all apperns(appearances) the Northern will conker at last. You must tell us next letter how you are get on and please to write as soune (soon) as you gets this if it (is) only a few lines you must write and I will write you another with more perticklers next. So no more at present from me I remain yours Christopher Graham Killhope Weardale Parish of Stanhope County Durham England