In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

January20,1855,toDecember1,1857 Bless the man who first learned to write. What a comfort it has been to me. Although Thomas King finally returned to Retreat after an absence of nearly four years, he did not come home to stay. Business soon called him away, and Anna once more remained behind to manage the plantation and household. Mallery, Floyd, and Cuyler were sent to schools in Georgia and New York while Georgia, Florence, and Virginia remained at home. Lord studied for the bar exam and Butler alternated between working for his mother as plantation manager and as his father’s business partner and assistant. Savannah 20th Jan 55 My own dearly beloved husband Our daughters have gone to the Theater. I am alone this evening I cannot be more profitably or more happily employed than in writing to you. You must make every allowance for the irregularity of my writing blotted words & crooked lines—I cannot see to do better. It is near two weeks since we parted do you not think I may reasonably have expected the scrape of your pen by this time? I am perfectly aware how busy you must be—if you could not write[,] Butler or Lord may have written to me after seeing you—and given me some idea—when you would be able to return. I looked for Lord & Van [Rensselaer] today but understand that no Steamship will be here before Tuesday. Mr Anderson tells me he has received by the express a trunk & box belonging to Lord. These he must have shipped before (or the day) you reached N.Y. the 13th. If you only got there on the 13th you did not proceed as rapidly as you expected. Your dispatch says “all are well”—with this I try to be satisfied. I do not know whether I shall leave here this day week or Tuesday week. I am very anxious to return home—our dear boys must be so very lonely certainly not later than Tuesday—but for the boys & the scarcity of money I would like well enough to indulge our daughters with another week. 279 I wanted your council sadly today. Postell brought on 13 of his wifes negros to be sold. They were mortgaged to his new Factor for $5000. Smarts wife who you recollect came to us begging us to buy her & her 6 children the oldest 13 the others all boys. They were valued, that is, the woman & 6 children for $3100—60 days credit. But the Andersons have been advancing for me ever since August—I have not the money. I am sorry as the woman is prime & the children very promising. I heard today from Tootee all were then well at Hamilton & Retreat. I hope to see her here on Monday. I feel certain the little change will do both her health & spirits good. She mentioned your having engaged oxen from Piles. I thought we had enough for the present—money with me is exceedingly tight. I assume you and I [?] will be still lighter before the year is out unless fortune for once smiles on your hard efforts. God knows you have worked with both head & body hard enough to have made a dozen fortunes. I both wonder at and admire your perseverance—had it been me I should have given up years ago—May God! yet bless your efforts my beloved husband. Major Grant & son arrived this morning himself & son—son in law & three daughters—three nephews our daughters & several young gentlemen formed a party to go to the Theater this evening. Mr Dummit called to see us this evening —he is on his way home from the Legislature of Florida. Tell Butler that Mr D[ummit] looks thin—but says he is well. I thought I had paid all my calls— but find new ones are made daily. I shall try & return them all before I go. It is now 10 oclock. I will add a few lines some time tomorrow as this letter cannot go before Monday morning. I believe I mentioned in my last having heard from our dear Tip. He had reached Roswell safe & was well on the 16th. Sunday evening We went to hear Bishop Elliott this morning—who gave us a very excellent sermon. A little drizzle this morning which only served to render the walking more disagreeable. Since then high wind making matters still worse. Our dear girls are all well & enjoying their stay here every day more & more. The Misses Grant start for Charleston...

Share