The following is a commentary on the letter by Harman Clark:

The A. A. Smith appears to be Albert Abel Smith (b. 9 Mar 1842 – d. 14 June 1922), son of William Smith and Fanny Wier. The death of “Mother”, however, would appear to be William’s second wife Martha Lunt, as A. A.’s mother, Fanny Wier, had died 28 Sept 1842.
The Uncle John who died would be Rev. John Smith, youngest son of Nathan and Elisheba Smith. We already had his death date as 21 March 1872.
A.A. refers to his father’s health as not very good. That was an accurate statement as William died 23 June 1872.
A.A. asks about “Uncle David and Aunt Nancy” — that appears to be a reference to David Clements and his wife, Nancy Smith — Nancy being the 7th child of Nathan and Elisheba. I am getting together some data on David & Nancy Clements, who followed others “west”.
“Hirum” seems to be A.A.’s oldest brother, Hiram C. Smith (b. 28 July 1822). I certainly hope we find out whether “he drinks now or not”.
“Uncle Nathan” appears to be the Nathan who married Martha Benham and apparently was dead when A. A. wrote the letter. [I have that Nathan died 1867 in Johnson’s Bayou, Calcasieu Co., LA].”