Joseph Cathey (1803–1874) of Haywood County, North Carolina, was a community leader who often received requests for assistance from soldiers or home front families during the Civil War. In this letter Emma Shoolbred, who indicates that she is a widow with a son in military service, writes to request Cathey’s assistance in locating corn and an ox to purchase.
In this letter of March 30, 1863, Emma Shoolbred writes to Joseph Cathey. She is a widow with three sons in Confederate service and another unaccounted for, and she does not have the resources to provide for the slaves in her employ. Though she had never met Cathey, she makes her request based on Cathey's knowledge of her son James, and she inquires about the possibility of purchasing corn, an ox, and wheat flour, and what those items might cost her.
March 30th 1863
Though personally a stranger to you, I know that you are acquainted with my son James, and am induced to apply to you in a time of difficulty I have been a widow for three years, and James and his two younger brothers being in the army, in Virginia, and my eldest at [illegible], I am entirely with out any one to assist me the war has greatly reduced my circumstances, and I find it hard to live. I have many small negro children besides their parents to feed, and would be glad to know if I can purchase some corn from you at a reasonable price, and if you would allow me to purchase from you an ox, as I have lately lost one of mine, and understand from W. [?] Tabor that I cannot procure one in this neighborhood. I should also be glad to know the price of wheat flour, and if I can get any from you. An early answer will oblige
Flat Rock, N.C.
Please name the price of the ox corn and flour if I can obtain them from you or in your neighborhood.
Emma A. Shoolbred
Primary Source Citation:
Emma A. Shoolbred to Col. J. Cathey, March 30, 1863. Joseph Cathey and Cathey Family Papers, Hunter Library Special Collections, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC. https://cdm16232.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16232coll5/id/216
Contextual Information Citation:
Hunter Library Special Collections, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC. http://cdm16232.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16232coll5/id/216