Abingdon [Virginia] Aug. 16th '68 [1868]
Dear Binckley,
I am here on a visit, for a day or so, and hearing of your reappointment - & at an additional salary of 500$. I can but write you a few congratulating words. Ain't the Rads kinder obfuscated & rather doubtful about their Ulysses being proof, without reference to head or heel? They are falling out & backing out, & getting out of the "Loyal Legion," all thro' this country & even Cufie is working up & shewing himself a man if, if he is black. I have but little practice nobody sick, so I go around canvassing for Withers [Robert E. Withers] & [Horatio] Seymour & Blair [Francis P. "Frank" Blair, Jr.], and enlightening the negro on the state of the country & their interest. I hope to make more convert & one gained, is one more for our side.
Mother [Jane Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel] will break up here Sept. 21st or Oct. 1st. She will go to live with me in Russell [Virginia]. I shall go back next week & get me a house for the winter. Either in Lebanon [Russell County, Virginia], or at Hendricks' Mills, a village close by. I am still getting along with a borrowed horse & can't tell when I shall be deprived of it, but I can't buy me one, so must scuffle on as best I can.
I have 60$ still due me in Tazewell, but I've no idea I'll get it or half of it, between the Poor Law & Bankrupt Law & the thief rascal Law, a poor honest Dr. can get but little in this country.
But Lulie [Lucy A. Dennis (1845-1923), who married Dr. Michel (1840-1908) in Russell on August 23, 1867] is in good health & spirits again, & I'm strong as a Cossack, so I am not faint of heart just yet, though I'm dreadfully afflicted by poverty some times. Tell sister Lou [Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley] all send her love & to children & you. Lulie wants the family picture she promised. Good bye & good luck.
yrs, truly & brotherly
Wm. M. M.
Rosedale, Russell Co. [Virginia]
[Dr. William M. Michel (aka Mitchell) to John Milton Binckley, August 16, 1868].
Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley Papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription.
Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance.
Dear Binckley,
I am here on a visit, for a day or so, and hearing of your reappointment - & at an additional salary of 500$. I can but write you a few congratulating words. Ain't the Rads kinder obfuscated & rather doubtful about their Ulysses being proof, without reference to head or heel? They are falling out & backing out, & getting out of the "Loyal Legion," all thro' this country & even Cufie is working up & shewing himself a man if, if he is black. I have but little practice nobody sick, so I go around canvassing for Withers [Robert E. Withers] & [Horatio] Seymour & Blair [Francis P. "Frank" Blair, Jr.], and enlightening the negro on the state of the country & their interest. I hope to make more convert & one gained, is one more for our side.
Mother [Jane Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel] will break up here Sept. 21st or Oct. 1st. She will go to live with me in Russell [Virginia]. I shall go back next week & get me a house for the winter. Either in Lebanon [Russell County, Virginia], or at Hendricks' Mills, a village close by. I am still getting along with a borrowed horse & can't tell when I shall be deprived of it, but I can't buy me one, so must scuffle on as best I can.
I have 60$ still due me in Tazewell, but I've no idea I'll get it or half of it, between the Poor Law & Bankrupt Law & the thief rascal Law, a poor honest Dr. can get but little in this country.
But Lulie [Lucy A. Dennis (1845-1923), who married Dr. Michel (1840-1908) in Russell on August 23, 1867] is in good health & spirits again, & I'm strong as a Cossack, so I am not faint of heart just yet, though I'm dreadfully afflicted by poverty some times. Tell sister Lou [Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley] all send her love & to children & you. Lulie wants the family picture she promised. Good bye & good luck.
yrs, truly & brotherly
Wm. M. M.
Rosedale, Russell Co. [Virginia]
[Dr. William M. Michel (aka Mitchell) to John Milton Binckley, August 16, 1868].
Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley Papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription.
Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance.
Dr. William M. Mitchell ended up in California at least by the 1880 census where he is listed with Lucy and their children in Mendocino County (Round Valley). The 1900 census has them in Ferndale, CA (Humboldt Co.). I was able to connect with some of their descendants a while back. That branch used the spelling "Michel".
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