Ormond, La. Aug. 13th, 68

Yours of the 2nd is at hand, arrived here and found everything quiet, but most awful wet weather and the most hot weather I ever experienced. I told Sarpy that you would not take less than $12 cash for each _?_, and he is to let me know in a few days if he will take them.

Do you think I ought to charge Soniat's for appraising their estate. St. Martin came to me the other day, and he asked me if I intended to make any charge. I told him I did not think I would, as the old gentleman, when alive, was very kind to me, and rendered me many favors, did they make any charge on Stephen's estate, and what was the amount. (Note: I do not know who Stephen was. It was not the Stephen Henderson who built d'Estrahan Plantation. He died in 1838.)

I went up to see Mother and Harris. I mentioned to Mother about his account, and he said he was not in a hurry and that it was all right. Harris told me he did not think he would remain at the Hermitage next year and would like to rent a place. I told him I thought you would rent him a part of Ormond, four or five hundred acres. He said he would like to have about 800, that he wants to make rice only. He could rent the Church land, which would give 250 acres more, which would be as much rice land as any planter would wish. He did not say, but my idea is that he would like to rent the Ormond for a mere song, for a number of years and make rice in the lower field, and cane in the upper, as the two crops does not interfere with each other, or re-lease portions of it to other planters, as he does the Hermitage making the parties pay the whole rent, in case you should rent the Place, I would reserve the dwelling house, the gardens, the front lands and the greater portion of the upper field, say 250 acres and make sugar on your own account, as to make a rice plantation altogether of the place would ruin it, the machinery also would go to destruction, he told me to write you and see what you intended to do.

I received a notice a few days ago from Syndie Palmer to have the roads put in order. I have made arrangements with Nelson to put the road in order from the upper line as far down as the house, he paying himself from his crop and the crops of others.

I have paid the Justice Fees Bill of $4.25. I am well and hope you are all well at the Pass. Write me on receipt of this.

Notes added sidewise on the letter were:

Recieved and Answered August 16th , 1868

Pass Christian, Setptember 16th 1868, P.B. Mc paid james W. Mc ½ of cost in Bruneau Suit = $2.15.

The above letter was transcribed on July 14, 2005 (Bastille Day) by F. James McCutchon, 241 Chandler Lane, Corpus Christi, Texas 78404. He observed that the letter was written three years after the South had fallen – typifying the struggles that the planters had during those years.

Below Certificates tendered by Martha Grant

Edward GW Butler had died of Yellow fever and could not be shipped back to Washington for internment at Mount Vernon so was buried in Live Oak cemetery.

Martha Grant has original documents of Sam's release from Yankee prison signed by Sewell and a pardon signed by President Johnston.

Samuel McCuchon and wife Adell originally from Destrahan, built the house at 861 E Beach in 1853. Sam served in Civil War as Lt Col in 8th La Cavalry. Following the war his family moved to Belize, Central America to avoid Yankee persecution.