A Simple Relief in Fayette County: A Note from 1876

“your need not put your belf to the trouble to hunt a witness as the claim was allowed”

There is something about holding a piece of paper that has survived nearly a hundred and fifty years that just makes you stop and catch your breath. This little scrap, written by B. Caraway back in April of 1876, is yellowed and worn, showing every one of its years through the folds and stains it gathered along the way. When you look at that old-fashioned cursive script, you can almost hear the scratch of the nib on the page in a quiet room in Fayette County, West Virginia.

The letter tells a story that is as old as time—the settling of a debt. It seems Mr. Lobin Green was worried about a claim against him, perhaps thinking he would have to go through the headache of finding someone to speak up for him. But B. Caraway writes with good news: James W. Davis has already approved the account for two hundred and one dollars and thirty-five cents. That might not sound like much today, but back then, it was a hefty sum, and having it sorted out must have felt like a weight being lifted right off Mr. Green’s shoulders.

In those days, business was often a personal affair, and a letter like this served as both a receipt and a peace of mind. It reminds us that even in the midst of the big events of history, folks were still just living their lives, worrying about their bills, and looking out for their neighbors. It is a humble reminder that our own daily struggles are part of a long, long line of human experience, and sometimes, a little bit of good news in the mail is all it takes to make a day brighter.

Original Transcription

Fayett County W Va
Aprile 6 th 1876
Mr Lobin Gun Sir Mr
James W Davis opproved your
acount a Goms you for the
an your need not put your
belf to the trouble to
hunt a witness as the claim
was allowed your acount
was 201 35
B Caraway