The following were actual letters written to their sisters and family members, still living in Mississippi, from Lizzie W. and her brother Robert (Bob). They had migrated with her husband John and some of their family from Mississippi to the small community of Bright Star, Texas. They had made the move shortly after the War Between the States had ended. (The town of Bright Star was later renamed to Sulfur Springs.)

Most white people in the south were embittered about loosing the war. Many had lost their homes and most had lost at least one relative during the fighting. Almost every family in the southern states had their old way of life torn apart and were trying to adjust their lives to fit into their new world.

Farming families in particular were caught in a transitional period. They were struggling with the new idea that they had to find money to pay wages to all farm hands. To make maters worse it was a time when money was very scarce.

These letters are being used here to paint a word picture of how the average Texans lived and thought in 1866.

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Lizzie was pregnant and the time for her baby was very near when she wrote the first letter. It seems obvious that she was upset and afraid to face a frightening experience without having help.

Bright Star, Texas

February 4, 1866

Dear Sisters and Friends,

This Sabbath night I seat myself to write you a few lines. Mr. Rogers is going to start in the morning and sent word around this evening to us to have letters at his house by sun up tomorrow and he would convey them across the river for us so you will see we have but little time to write in. Well Bob is sitting at the other side of the table writing and he will no doubt tell you what he is doing and has done. How he rented his place, loaned out his corn, fodder ----- and how he is working this year. I will tell you of my own affairs and how I am getting on. John has just got well out of a very serious sickness and has gone to work preparing for his crop. He has no help except for Sam. The other Negroes all left Christmas ---- Sol and Riar with their families are living at the Weavers in Patsy’s house. George and Patsy went to Jefferson. Lewis is to large to stay anywhere long. He left home after the "break up". I am doing all my work except what ma helps me. Cooking, milking and everything. I try to get clear of washing, but can’t get a Negro every time. Have only washed 2 days. John tried to hire a Negro to do my work til April, but he was sick at the time. Negroes were disposing of their carcasses and before we could get out, all that were any account had procured homes. I don’t care. I don’t mind doing my work and Negroes are so trifling now. If I can get one to wait on me through March, they can all go to Old Abe after for all I care. Sarah has hired herself to the Browns in town at six dollars per month and clothes herself. She has Ann with her, but I am going to take her this summer. Sarah expects Martin to come this summer or fall --- after her. She said I tell him to come. Mr. Goodson hasn’t a "Nig" on his place except for one little girl, Priss. And they are doing all their work. The old man has bought an interest in a steam mill in Titus County and spends most of his time there. He is also investing largely in a stock of Goods Rogers is going north to buy.

Leanna I feel very uneasy about you. You did not write a line by Sue B. and Cinda and Aunt Ruth both wrote of your bad health. I was glad to see Sue and sorry that they disappointed Cinda so. I would have been so glad to see her and sorry too for her to come and leave you alone. Bob is making all his arrangements for keeping house again next fall and getting you and Cinda here by that time. He and Adelaide were to lonely after John and I left there and Adelaide is too careless and thoughtless to keep house. She is staying at Mrs Weaver’s now, but is going to stay at Mrs. Petty’s till next fall. I still make some cloth. I made 55 yards of jeans this fall. Sarah and I spun the warp of 25 yards and I bought warp for the balance. I wove 25 yards of it and John getting sick I had to hire the weaving of the other piece. I made John a coat, two vests and three pair of pants. Bob a coat, vest and three pair of pants and Willie a coat and two pair of pants and sold 12 yards. I am going to make a piece now to make Sam’s and Willie’s summer pants. Then I will quit for awhile. I will send you a piece of my last new dress. Ma and I made one alike. I trimmed mine with white cord and buttons and it is a nice dress. I don’t know when I will make any more. Cinda I wish you could see my little Mary. I know you would love her. She is very fond of her Grandma and she is a perfect dunce about her, can not bear to hear her scolded even. She follows me everywhere I go and her little tongue is never still. She has a large doll which Ella Smith gave her, and she calls it Ella, gets it out occasionally and plays with it, then puts it back. Willy is going to school at our old schoolhouse. Billy Nelson teaches. The little fellow has a long walk, but it’s the best we can do for him. He goes from ma’s, is reading in McGuffy’s 1^st reader and spelling. He was so proud of his knife and the hat that uncle Jimmy’s boy sent him. Sue bought him a very pretty white handled knife with the money and he is very careful of it. Tell my little cousin Addie that cousin Lizzie away in Texas can only remember her as a little baby for such she was when I last saw her, but when I see the last handkerchief she sent I am forced to the conclusion that she is more then a baby now. I suppose Aunt Ruth’s ma will give her a few lines as she knows that Mr. Rogers is going east. I have not seen any of them in some time as I do not go to town now. But, they are all well or were a few days ago. Aunt Jinny is with them yet. Lou and Mary have left. Sis it is getting late. Bob is done and I must quite. I want you to write some every chance and if you ever have another such a chance for Cinda to come, send her on. We are going to try to make arrangements to get here by next fall ------ but we have to do it with as little ------as possible. Give my love to all my Friends and Relatives. If I had known in time that Mr. Rogers was going to carry letters I would have some written to you all.

Give my respects to Mrs. Alderson, Sarah Jane and Mr. Smith’s girls. They were my nearest neighbors last year and I liked them very much. Tell Sally Alderson I heard Bro. Pitt Petty inquiring if they had ever heard from her since she left and passing very flattering compliments on her which I think she deserved. Ma sends her respects to you and Richard Craig. Nothing more but remain your sister

Lizzie W.