This was written by Samuel Cliser to his cousin Joshua Clizer in Missouri.
June the 7th, 1868
Sperryville,
Rappahannock County, Virginia
Dear Cousin, it has been so long since I received your letter that I am almost ashamed to date this, but it is with pleasure that I now seat myself to make a reply. I hope you will excuse me for not writing sooner, and I will promise to do better next time. You stated in your letter that I should let you know what the boys are all doing. John is tanning near Sperryville at Captain Woodward's, he and Captain Woodward is in partnership. Ambrose is living in Luray selling goods for Joseph Crane at Lyonberger's old stand. Martin and myself are at home farming. The girls are all home with us except for Edith, she lives in Ohio, Licking County, near Newark. There is none of us who has been fortune enough to be united in wedlock, though I hope it will not be long before I can have that part to last of myself. And I also hope you got out of the hog trough before this time. Martin and myself have rented the farm this year. it has been so very wet here this Spring that it was almost impossible to put out a crop.
I am very sorry to hear of so many deaths in the family. Tell Mathias that it seems that he has forgotten us all as never get to hear from him. Tell him Mother said he must write and give her all the news from his part of the country. I have nothing of importance to write at presence. Produce is very high here now. Corn is $1.00 per bushel, rye $1.50, wheat $2.50 - $3.00 per bushel. Bacon from 12 to 15 cents per pound.
You asked me to send my photograph. It is some 20 miles to the nearest photographer, and I have not had the opportunity of having mine taken yet, but I will have it taken by the time you write again, and I will sedn it in my next letter, yours was received with great satisfaction to all the family. Tell your brothers and sisters they must have theirs taken and send them to me. I will now bring my scribbling to a close by asking you to write soon an give us all the news from that country. Please excuse bad writing and mistakes as I have written in a hury. Tha family all joins me in sending love to all, so nothing more, but remain your cousin until death.
Samuel D. Cliser
