Letter by William Walker Lux to His Children

Letter written in Indiana by William Lux to his children living in Mt. Washington, Bullet County, Kentucky dated March 23 1823. The children are John, Ephraim, Elizabeth 'Betsy', and Nancy. 'Washington Wilson' is thought to be daughter Nancy's husband, and 'Rachael Lux' is thought to be Rachael (Osborn) Lux, wife of John Lux. 'Polly' and 'Peggy' (Margaret) are daughters not living in Kentucky. Peggy married Jacob Brown. The letter refers to a son of Peggy and Jacob, born earlier that year (1823) called Robert, but to-date no son by that name has been located. Possibly this was a middle name, or Robert died young and no record of his birth has been located.

Dear Children this is from your tender parents and adrefs (addressed) to you all without Exceptions - we are all well and hope this will find you in the same state. We live well and have plenty. Nothing gives us any uneasyness (uneasiness) but being separated from you all. Your mother is determined to come and see you all this summer. Therefore we should be happy if some of you could come and see us in the month of May or June. We received Williams letter of March 1st and was all well. Pleased to hear from you I hope you will not fail to write every opportunity. Your sister Polly is well and grows fast and can write a tollerable (tolerable) good hand as for our daughter Betsy, we are not the least uneasy about her welfare as we hope she will always be governed by the good advice of her brothers and her sister-in-law. Jacob Brown and family is all well and wish to be remembered to you and Peggy has another fine son about two months old and calls his name Robert.

Now my too young sons I wish to give you Both advice in the first place I wish you not to Neglect your Education. Strive to obtain all the Instruction you posably (possibly) Can tho (though) you Should Suffer for other things of Lefs (less)Value for I Consider a young man without Learning Like the Unpolifhed dimon (unpolished diamond) in the mine it sheweth (showed) none of its luster. In the next place pay due attention to the businefs (business) which your Instruction Shall Teach you and pay due attention to his Rules and precepts. I have gone through the like Servitude with pleasure and Credit I found myself my own master full soon for my discretion I wish you both may do as well for your own interest and reputation as I have done for mine whin (when) I was of your age for I could not think it honest or creditable to do anything to wrong my master. And now you are entering into the worl and will probably have considerable dealings in your businif (business) be particular in the choise (choice) of your friends. Also Take great Care to shun all bad company for the proverb is Certainly true that the man is known by the company he keeps. And, know I beg by all Love you would take care of your constitutions be aware of running foul (afoul) of harlots. They are like the maremaids (mermaids) that set on rocks in the sounds of the sea and show their faces for distruction (destruction) of Seamen. Therefore, steer your course clear of all such brimstone bitches. Shun going to law as you would shun the devil and look on all Lawyers as devowring (devouring) shirks (sharks) or ravinous (ravenous) beasts of pray (prey). I have always flattered myself that my children did not want for sense and know I have not bin (been) deceived therefore it will be my greatest hapinefs (happiness) to find that you can apply it to the best advantage.

No more. But we remain your affectionate parents till death March 23, 1823 William & Elizabeth Lux

To you all: John Lux, William Lux, Ephraim Lux, Washington Wilson, Elizabeth Lux, Nancy Wilson, Rachael Lux

The first note at the bottom is written by Mary Elizabeth Hall Osborn, the person who copied the original letter. She states she is a granddaughter of Mary Elizabeth Lux Wilson, who in turn is the granddaughter of the William Walker Lux who wrote this letter. One of William and Elizabeth's sons was William Gregory Lux. He married Mary Osborn, then Mary Ann Kelley. One of his daughters with Mary Ann Kelley was Mary Elizabeth Lux, who married Bartholomew William Wilson. This Mary Elizabeth (Lux) Wilson is the grandmother referred to by Mary Osborn. One of Bartholomew and Mary's daughters was Mary Angelina Wilson. She married James Thompson Hall. They had a daughter Mary Elizabeth Hall, who married Albert Byerley Osborn. This is the Mary Elizabeth (Hall) Osborn who wrote the first note.

The second note is written by Iva Mae (Lux) Goucher. Iva Mae is also a descendant of William and Elizabeth Lux via their son William's marriage to Mary Ann Kelly, their son John's marriage to Caroline Fisher, and their son Ivan's marriage to Sadie Hogg. Iva Mae is one of their daughters. As Sadie Hogg's mother Margaret (Hall) Hogg was the sister of James Thompson Hall, Iva May and Mary Osborn are also related via the Hall connection and it is very likely the letter came into her hands via the Hall connection of Sadie Hogg, as Mary Osborn was a 1st cousin.

The letter was transcribed and provided to me by Janice (Neal) Schneider. Janice is a granddaughter of Iva Mae via Iva Mae's marriage to Harvey Goucher, and their daughter Helen's marriage to Robert Neal.

Letter by William Walker Lux to His Children

First published on May 9, 2016. If you have comments, corrections or additional information or pictures you would like to contribute, feel free to contact Dave Nims.