McNeill, Hector J., d. 1860
Chapel Hill
N.C.
Augt 18th/52
Dear
Mother &
Father,
According to promise I now write these few lines. I am well with
the exception of a sore mouth which is now getting well. I got to this place on
the 2nd day after I left
Faytt
perfectly safe & found all the
Robeson boys well.
I have got into
Colledge by having to make up two studies & also two
that the class commenced this session. I am not very well satisfied—being
a little behind my class I shall have to study very hard & close all the
time—and there is the greatest amount of profanity used certainly of
2 any
other place & upon the whole it is a very dissipated place. The longer I
stay the better I like it. I have got a room in
Colledge with a man named
Robinson
from
Warren
Co.. he is in the Senior class & thus far is a very good fellow.
D.E.
McNair
had the room engaged for me & it is on
the same passage & opposite the
McNair's
room. I have rented a very good bed for
$4.00—I had no furnature to buy but 2 chairs the room being
furnished by
MrRobinson. I am boarding at the
Hotel at $10 per month—We have the best table that I ever
saw—every thing upon it that is good but bacon & collards. I did not
like the fair much at first but begin to like it better. I cannot take any
excercise only by walking & I have no time for that I shall try & take
some however.
Page 2
I had company all the way up & I only eat one meal that in
Raleigh—I saw
Col
Little—he had written you a few days before & said that would
he write you again in a few days relative to
DS.. & IMN,s claim & S.T. also. He seems to think & is in good
hopes of get all these claims allowed & he says that the
buisness was better executed than any he has ever
had any thing to do with—He says your are
just the kind of a buisness
man he likes to see.
I was in his house & talked to him half an hour & I think him to be a
upright honest good man.
There is 75 students in my class & between 250 & 300 in
college & 145 or 150 boarding where I do. All the
Robeson boys have got into college—Some of their
feeling were hurt very much that
Jas. Davis
was not elected & others rejoiced at it.
I have to pay $4.00 for my washing & $1.15 1.25
for brushing shoes.
Cyrus.
H.
...... is here & is well—He got a letter from cousin
E A.E. a few days ago she was well
& got home before he left (
Cyrus
)
There is no news afloat in this country—a great deal about the
election.
Reed
is elected
Govnor with an increased majority—
Legislature is
whig on a joint
ballot by 2 or 4 majority.
I have not yet got all the books that I need. one of the tutors sent
to
Raleigh for
them but they
Page 3
have not come yet. I am going to a
singing school to
Mr Root at $3.00 per scholar. You will not like
this part of my course but it is the best that I can do.
Tutor
Philips
had a class but he has quit it & now goes to
Mr
Root.
I am so much upset by noise &c &c thay I cannot settle my
mind long enough
to wright you a sesible
letter or at least a satisfactory one. Give my love to
Cate
Mag &
Cy
& my respects to all enquiring friends