.MzQ0.NDkz
97
M44
Box III
Folder 48
Maury Family Papers
15 Dec[ember] [18]62. [Anne F. Maury], Milton, [N.C.], to her Aunt [Ann Maury], [New York, N.Y.]. 2 pp. Cy of AL (Cy by Ann Maury)
(1 item)
Reply of a letter to Miss Maury, recd 26 January '63 - as a ship letter by a rebel arrived at N. York, & likewise postmarked Bahama 1st January. -
Milton. 15th Decr '62 - My dear Aunt - My heart was greatly rejoiced by the receipt of your letter, dated 19 & 20th Novr, which came last Saturday (13th) on the same day, but by a different mail, as one from your friend Hetty "(McMartin)" asking me how to send the articles she had for me. Fortunately my friend Mr. W "(Wilson)" is hauling [?] to Hillsboro - the nearest R. R. depot on that route - so, getting them by Express that far, I shall have them very directly. - You cannot tell how much I thank you for your kind & affectionate thoughts of me & the exertions to add to my comfort. And when I tell you that the commonest Alpaca costs $70 or $80 a dress, you will realize what a gain it would be. I am at present wearing a Calico, which cost $1.50 a yard, & now I could not get one under $2. - I was fairly in despair about the boys' undershirts. I had cut up some of his father's old ones for Willie; for I cannot get the yarn to knit them of, nor Hanna.
My family have all gone to an Exhibition of Tableaux, in behalf of the Soldiers' Aid Society. - Jane is one of the performers. They wanted M. L.; but she is too pretty: & I thought her head would be turned. - [?] takes the two little boys. - I determined not to go till the mail came in; as I little expect the Doctor & cousin Betsy Hays - but it is too late now, & I have no escort. Will you believe me, when I tell you I am glad of a good excuse; for my heart feels very little like tableaux. They were all anxious to have Charley in the Fairy scene - he is so handsome; but I knew he would cry to go to his Mama.
You must give much & most affectionate love to that lady who enquires so much after me. Tell her I never knew how dear old friends were till I was parted from them. And no one can tell how often my heart years after you all. And yet I am so much better off than many others, that I cannot complain. - If only Harry had been spared to me! Charley asked me today why I did not ask God to let little Harry stay with me till she was big, so that she might have come here to this house.
I wrote to cousin Anne of your letter, by the next mail. - She & most of her family are at the Old Mansion. Two of the girls are at Uncle Jourdins; and Bettie & Will are at Hite's. - Cousin Anne has enquired for Board here; - but Provisions are so scarce that no one will take Boarders. - We cannot get Butter or Eggs; nor can we buy Milk - pay what we would for it; but our good friend Ms. W "(Wilson)" sends us some every day, what she can spare. - You would be painfully amused to hear how constantly the question of "how to live" is discussed. We except to pay $30 p 100 lbs for Pork, & at least $40 a bushel "(i.e. p 56 lbs)" for Salt. - We are now using Salt that cost $1.50 a pound!
The people here are kind beyond belief. - We have moved from the first house we were in to a much more comfortable one in the town, where we still have a good garden. And when we moved, 5 men & 2 women were lent to us, besides 2 waggons & a carry-all - and an insult to speak of pay. - I am fairly ashamed of myself, so much is lent to me: - but of all kindness, nothing can exceed that of the Wilsons. - Mr. W- reminds me of Uncle Rutson - he is so constantly on the look-out for something to do for us, and will do it so thoroughly. - I often wonder how much is owing to the prayers of the dear ones at home.
Charley is beginning to learn his letters: - but as he has not accomplished A yet, it will be some time before he is ready for "Cousin Bell's" books, as he calls her. He told me to write to his papa to tell him to go to New York & get them. - Willie can read a few short words as he comes to them. He is quick at learning by rote, at least I think so. - I wish you could hear him sing, - he has a very sweet voice. But he is not good: - I think it must be this wandering life that has upset his goodness. - I have a good deal of trouble with both, but particularly with him. Still I see a difference since we have been in a home of our own. - They are both handsome boys: tho' I say it that shouldn't. -
Give my love to Mary [?] & tell her I do hope that some of these days we may all come back; and I am sure Willie will appreciate her care of his things. - I hope they will sober down before that time, or they will drive her wild almost. - Sometimes I have to put one in one chair, & the other in another to get a little breathing space.
I hope to have a letter from your friend "(Ms. Martin)" telling me all about you. - I wrote to beg one. - She wrote only a short note, to tell me of her arrival & to ask where I was. -
I have written to you of Ms. Pinkney's death. Did you ever get the letter? I do not know of anyone else you are particularly interested in that I have heard of lately, - except that Magunder Maury was ordained last week. Sallie went down from the Old Mansion to be present. -
I hear that cousin Cornelia & her two daughters have gone to St. Louis. - I am sorry on Harriet's account: for C's temper has been a good deal soured lately by troubles & crosses of one kind or another: - poverty is a hard master to some people.
I told you the children have gone to some Tableaux. - About 9 o'clock Willie came home in the dark, all by himself, without telling any one, - because he could not see. - Of course I had to despatch a messenger to tell Celia.
Give my love to all friends. - Miss Mary "(Gelpen)" is still in Richmond, I believe, fighting the Hospital Surgeons. - Love to Harriet & Fontaine when you write, & to every one that asks for me. -
With best love to yourself. Uncle R. & Walker, I remain your affec. niece
Give my best love to Tobin when you write to him. -
97
M44
Box III
Folder 49
Maury Family Papers
11 March [1863?]. S[ally] F. M[aury], "Old Mansion," [Va.], to Nan [Anne F. Maury], [Milton, N.C.]. 6 pps. ALS
(1 item)
"Old Mansion" March 11th
My Dear Nan
I have been thinking of writing to you for some time especially, since our great trouble about that precious boy Johnny - for I know you loved him. I would feel for his Mother. Knowing what a devoted tender Mother she has been supported by the goodness & power of God in the most wonderful manner. I never said [?] any thing like her resignation & submission she talked about him so sweetly & was constantly recalling incidents about him. She said she had made up her mind to give up up when he entered the army & had felt all the time that there were few chances of her ever seeing him again but she had earnestly prayed that there might be some token left her of his being a child of God perhaps some last line to her found in his pocket - though this was denied her in the manner of his death she felt an assurance that he was God's child. She said the last conversation she had with him on religion was the night before he went to Indian Town & urged the subject on him. He said "Ma I will try" but said he could not without help from on High. She says he never promised her any thing that he did not perform. D [?] letter to her conveying some slight hope that Johnny might have been taken prisoner by a scouting party on the opposite shore of where Johnny was last seen & for this reason he said "don't write to Uncle Matt yet." At the same time though a letter came from Nannie saying D. hoped against his convictions & that no one else had any hope We did not see Nannie Corbin or Mr C. for several days owing to the roads & when they read D.'s letter they thought there was strong ground for hope Molly had also a conviction she said that Johnny was alive though Cousin Mary & I had charged her not to say so to her Ma. of course however their hopes could not but affect Cousin A. She wrote your Aunt & Nannie wrote Mr. Hasbruck a few days ago to ask them to make investigation whether Johnny was a prisoner. Yesterday there came a telegram from Dabney in answer to one Mr Corbin sent saying "Johnny is not a prisoner there is no hope that he lives." After that his Ma gave way to weeping more freely & naturally than she had done before; but was down to breakfast this mg looking very composed. She seemed much gratified at your letter & said the other day she was going to answer it but I reckon doesn't feel like it this mg, for she just sent one of the children over to ask me to give her best love to you & thank you for it If cousin M. could see how she is enabled to bear it it would be a great comfort to him. I pray God will comfort him & make this sore affliction a blessing to him -
I am truly sorry to hear cousin Betsy is so poorly but hope she is one the mend & hope coming up here ay benefit her. I for one will be sincerely glad to see her. Mr W. is unwilling to keep cousin Anne's party much longer because of the difficulty of providing & they are thinking of taking the house next to Dr Ropers - all Cousin A.s furniture is in this neighbourhood besides many other reasons why she should prefer to be here among us all - but one the other hand the enemy may get here. If I have to stay here trust she may - but I am getting mighty tired of staying in other people's houses I am enjoying your mattress I can tell you. It is an elegant one. Charles has been more than two months it is the longest time we were ever separated & I am sick of it. I hope every day to hear he is one his way home, have not had a letter from him for 4 weeks though have heard by telegraph up to 24th Feb. Am glad you have heard of Cousin Lewis' safe arrival in England give him much from him. Also give much love to Cousin Jane & Mary Lewis & kiss the little boys & the baby for Aunt Sally. I like your name for him very much. Your little carriage has just been got out for Lavinia to take & little Lucy has been regaling herself with
[illegible vertical writing]
