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Samuel Jackson to Andrew Jackson III
Clifton April 4th 1858
Dear Brother
I deeply regret to have to inform you of a misfortune that has just befallen us. The newly repaired dwelling on the place just on the coast was entirely destroyed by fire last week. Pa had engaged some workmen to make some repairs and for the entire house to be newly painted by the time he returned. all the work was just compleated, and all had left, but two painters, and they were to leave in a day or two. and they came very near being burned up. they were sleeping in the house and was not aroused till the side of the building was fallilng in they saved them selves by jumping out of	the	window	in their night	clothes.	I
had placed old uncle Ben	and	Creasy	up there to take care of	the
place and have a garden by the time Ma and Pa came down. old Ben sayes a man came there a few nights before, as he thought after some mischief. he was slipping and dodging about so much uncle Ben could not get up to him,	but he	kept watch for	him and
prevented him from doing	any	mischief that night.	the night	of
the fire he came again and uncle Ben went out but could not see him but watched for him until he supposed eleven o'clock, but could see nothing more of him so he thought he had gone, and went to bed.
in about an hour they were aroused by the fire they ran out, but too late to do any thing they were staying in a little out house that Mr Russ used for a Kitchen. It will be a great shock to Ma and Pa when they arrive. I am expecting them every day but am not certain that they have started, if they had not,