Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Jesse Brown to Harriet Anna Yancey, December 14, 1914

Family | Health, illness and death | Jail and imprisonment | Legal matters | Place--Richmond, VA

Jesse Brown writes to Harriet Yancey from the Richmond jail to plead for money to help pay for his lawyer. His trial is set for the following Tuesday.

To: Mrs. B.F. Yancey
West Esmont, Virginia
R.F.D. north
Postmark: Richmond, Va
DEC 16, 1914
11 AM

On top of page one is a picture of an unknown building, perhaps the Richmond City Jail.

Dec. 14, 1914

Dear Cousin

iam now writing you to let you hear from me iam well thank god ?certainly? hope this will find you all the same. I wrote youall sometime ago haven't got any answer. Cous. harriet iam sorry I am in such fix ive been in the city jail forty six long days an I declare before god iam nearly starve to death these few friends that I have had that I have had Down [missing text] they have did all they can for me they hope me to get a lawyer he said he would [missing text] me for $25 my friends have beg for me 15 my lawyer say it I could get $5 more he would credit me for the rest until I get on the

(page 2)

2

street so I beg you or Mr. yancey to Please [missing text] by the help of god do What you all can for me an when I get out of this trouble I will sure pay you all back if god let me live long enough on this earth Please ask every body to help me for iam now looking in the doors of the Pennt. Please prey for me iam going to lead a better life when I get out of this if god be with me I never experience such life is this before an hope I never will again I was just getting ready to come an see you all a little while during the holidays but we can ?prepare? an god can [missing text] god s will must be done not ours

(page 3)

3

I will be glad to get a little something to eat if nothing else give my love to Children how are they getting alon tell them they must be good How I have learned a lifetime lesson since ive been in this trouble

the lawyer put my trial of again until the 22 nd of the month to allow me chance to get the rest of the money if I can for this is my last chance I hope you all will do all you can for me I will sure Pay you back if God let me live it will be all the xmas I want if I just get clear of this trouble going try to do better after I get out of Jail

(page 4)

4

Please answer this as soon as you can for my trial will be tuesday for the last time I now stand in a bad condition I hope the lord will be with me for iam sure suffering Can't get enough to eat [missing text] Preying to god daily that his will mite be done

With this I will close

Give my love to all

from
Jesse Brown

answer to City Jail Richmond, Va

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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