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Versailles [Kentucky] June 19th 1833

My Dr [Dear] Son

This day I recd [received] yours of 1st inst [instant] and was gratified by its containing some information reporting your present situation and future prospects; although my pleasure must proceed (in all yr [your] letters) from accounts of amelioration of health until it be completely established. This is my third letter, I expect you have recd [received] my second. Ben, too wrote. I called to have your pistols made but the prospect is that they will not be speedily finished; people say he is drunken, at any rate he has gone to Henderson for fear of the Cholera, and is not to be home for three weeks. Our Doctors are kept in constant motion, fatigue had them all laid up at once, save Dr. Robinson, he bustled most; but then he’s tough. Drs. Boswell and Stul (John) of Lexington died of the Cholera. Young Fields, Doles, and Martin Ford and wife, besides others, have died here of the same disease.

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Mrs. Heart is dangerously ill. Your Cousin Jane has been so but is recovering. Major’s family sick, partly, I believe, from apprehension. Mrs. Yateman, I fear, will not survive; or at least, not long, the death of her son Thomas. These evils made me relinquish my trip to Ohio. Thomas Steel has a small horse, I wish you had him, but he asks too high a price; he is light made and but fifteen hands high. I offered $150 he will not part with him for less than $200. Levyman has a fine looking bay but Thomas’ has the gates that please, and form and colour, too, were he not too lite. Any Bay mare paces, so does Juliet’s horse, both walk very finely. Juliet is out at Mrs. Honeycuts, she is well but thin. I recd [received] a letter today from your Sister Eliza, her health is so bad that she does not expect to be long suffering affliction here; she is anxious to hear from you; her No [Number] is 371 North Race St. My Colt is a mare, will be small grey and active. I wish to sell both my mares; but cannot sell either. A Dr. Childs or some Dr. Monosyllable beginning with a C also dies in Lexington. Sam Willson and family are well, I was there on the 14th. I came in this morning from the Old man’s they are all well; but Elizabeth, she too is getting well. Our Doctors look cheerful, there is so much distress, they average each 20 calls per diem. My health is good, only a bad cold which is loosing [sic] its hold. Mr. Bailey and family are well.

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There is no stranger in town likes you better than Mr. Allen. I have been walking, the day is warm, and my news exhausted. I shall therefore conclude by enjoyning it on you to take care of your health, to look to God for his blessing and to let me know what acquaintances you form. Mr. Helms and family are well and Mr. Pinkards. Let me know if the Versailles Paper is recd. [received] God bless direct and protect my Son.

Your father Wm [William] Thompson

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Dr. Robt J. Thompson
Natchez Mississippi