Interested descendants/relatives should be able to obtain copies of the letters through the Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION.
There is an online inventory of this collection: #398, JOHN KIMBERLY PAPERS,
Inventory. A description of the Kimberly papers (from their web page):
"Size: About 500 items (3.0 linear feet).
Date Span: 1821-1938.
Provenance: Received from Rebecca Kimberly in 1940, Mary Kimberly in 1943 and 1948, and
Marguerite Kimberly Carter of Asheville, N. C., on 21 August 1997 (Acc. 97111).
Access: No restrictions.
Copyright: Retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as
stipulated by United States copyright law."
I made the following extracts and notes of genealogical interest from transcriptions of the documents that were sent to me. The letters are very interesting (in my opinion) and contain much more information than these notes (see bottom of page for more info).
Re "Cast of Characters" transcription:
Daniel Southall ("Methodist preacher on the side", died 1830, Washington, DC on a family visit to Patience Branch Southall's brother, John Branch -- John was former governor of NC & then secretary of Navy during President Jackson's administration. By his first marriage, Daniel was the father of:
1. John Southall
married 1) Julia -- had aunt Sarah Wheeler (one of Sarah's daughters later married James
Southall)
had son John Richard Southall -- his death mentioned in 14 July 1833 letter by Julia (his
mother); had daughter Julia Southall.
2. Emma Southall
married Mr. Capehart
3. James Southall -- according to a letter by his half brother Joseph John Branch Southall, he attended Augusta College in Augusta, KY, "presumably after attending the University of NC in 1825".
4. Rebecca Southall
married 1) William Boon
had daughter: Julia Boon, raised by her paternal grandparents
married 2) Thomas Maney -- left Murfreesboro, NC for Franklin, TN ca 1825 & his father-in-law, Daniel Southall, handled his financial affairs in NC. Thomas was a lawyer in TN & was circuit court judge in TN 1840 "until shortly before his death in 1864". Thomas "served on the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church", was close friend with James Otey (first rector of that church & later bishop of TN). Thomas ManeyThomas had plantations near Franklin, TN, in Carroll Co., MS & on the Mississippi River in AR -- visited them by traveling on horseback. He had brothers: James and William Maney; and sisters Elizabeth (md Mr. Murfree) and Mary Maney.
Daniel Southall married Patience Branch, their children:
5. Joseph John Branch Southall -- attended Augusta College in
Augusta, KY, "the first college sponsored by the Methodist Episcopal Church" --
settled first in MS, then TN -- died in TN & Thomas Maney, his brother-in-law, handled
some of his affairs after his death -- Joseph's children were brought back to NC.
married Mary McGavock
6. Francis Southall -- also went by name Frank -- settled first in MS, then TN
7. William Henry Southall -- went by name Henry -- settled first in MS, then TN
8. Martha Southall
13 Sep 1827 letter
Daniel Southall of Murfreesboro [NC] addressed to "Thomas Maney Esq Frankling
Williamson County West Tennessee"
Kimberly Folder 1
Daniel and his wife Patience received letters from Rebecca [Southall
Maney]
"all in Common health at this time"
"Your Grand mama & your friends are well"
John & Robert gone to NY for "fall goods"
"great Religious Excitement in the Boro at this time" - Mr. Lewis Cowper was
among the converts.
asks Thomas to try to secure the debt Dr. OBriant owes us ASAP
asks if Thomas can secure the debt Dr. Augustus Moore "owes me or any part of
it" -- offers reward for doing so
says John E. Smith (who sold Daniel land near "this place" & was later
"recovered from me by his sister" is in TN
"We" hold note & interest "near" $300 for Thomas Pipkin -- Thomas
Pipkin's brother, "the Doctor", said "we must [apply] to John Pipkin his
Administrator near Huntsville for our money where all his Property is."
"tremendous gust" badly damaged the crops, especially cotten -- "our cotten
crop will be very short"
18 Dec 1827 letter
Daniel Southall of Murfreesboro addressed to "Thomas Maney Esq town of Franklin West
Tennessee"
Kimberly Folder 1
Daniel "pleasd to hear of your health & that of my dear
Rebec[c]a whose health, interest, & Happyness has always a special place in my
regard".
Daniel had "very severe attack of an inflamatory fever that brought me near (as I
thought) to the gates of death but am now recov[er]d."
General Iredell elected Governor
Former T. W. Haywood died, his son was elected to fill his place . . . then resigned
"Your grandmother enjoys [e]xcellent health"
Henry L. Williams inquired about a claim for "defraying the [e]xpense of a suit him
& yourself had together in the County which has been decided in your favour by which
several negroes were recov[er]d & a tract of land . . ." The negroes were in VA,
had to be "decoy"ed back -- some sold & Richard Cowper says "very
likely one is to be sold in some few days".
Daniel "sorry to hear" Thomas had "thought of selling your land at
present", as Colo Branch told Daniel it "was one of the most desireable
situations he saw in all your country." Daniel suggested keeping it as residence for
the negroes Thomas had settled on it. "I am glad to hear from the negro boys, as I
raisd them, always have an interest for them." Names: Noah, Isam, Grendvill, Reddick,
Isaac, & Matt. "Reddick I am informd has attempted or has taken Isaac['s] wife
from him & Mr Jones was apprehensive something serious would take place between
them."
Matt was "put" with John & Julia, sent back to Daniel & Daniel thought
it best to "put him to trade".
Paid $1035, "N.C. money" to Mr. Hil[i]ard, 28 Apr 1827
Paid $500 to Henry Waring & Son in "N York"
Received $404.0 from Jesse Darden
Received $400.0 from ? Shepperd
Received $339.15 from Mr. Hillman
"made some collection from E. Futrell"
Richd Cowper bought a cart from Jesse Darden to "take your things to Tennessee"
asks if Thomas can collect the "ballance of Doctor OBriants debt" & says he
"will take Carolina money hear for any you may collect from him"
"Richard says there is more money coming to you from Shepherd & others"
15 Mar 1828 letter
Daniel Southall of Murfreesboro addressed to "Thomas Manney Esq Franklin Tennessee,
Politeness of Dr Parker (care)"
Kimberly Folder 1
Daniel received a letter from "my dear Rebecca"
"Never did I witness money so scarce."
Jesse Darden
Major J. Branch "held my note due the first day of January last for $1666.66 2/3c the
last payment for the property puchasd of him at Enfield . . ." "Soon after his
death", Daniel learned his note was "in the possession of Thos Burals of
Halifax". "I also advancd $50 for him by his request just before his death &
was Indorser for him at the Bank at Raleigh for $318 due 10 Dec 1826."
needs "every dollar Mr. Branch owes me"
written to "our Friend H. Hill his Executor" -- "If Mr. Hill cannot pay the
money the Estate of Jos Branch owes me . . ."
James "talks going to Frankling in some few weeks"
enclosed note owed by Doctor O Briant
Richard Cowper hasn't given any money "to be remit[t]ed to you"
has been advised "Your man Reddick" . . . "says he does not intend working
for any one any more. Mr. Jones says neither of the men has his woman for wife. . . . no
impropriety in moving them to your farm . . ."
"This letter is entrusted to Doctor Parker who promiss to deliver it to you."
"Your grand mother enjoy[s] her usual health"
19 Mar 1828 letter
Patience Southall of "Suffolk" addressed to "Mrs Ann R. Maney
Frankling"
Kimberly Folder 1
Salutation: "My Dear Rebecca"
James preparing to go to Franklin, TN "I feel a wish to say something to you by James
. . ." and says that she won't "attempt to give you the news of our place as I
expect James will detail every thing minutely."
Patience missing her son Joseph "I have had trouble, & such too in the past year
that I thought I could not bear up . . ." . . . "my Joseph's going from me so
far to school, yet a minor, . . . more than I can bear."
"We have for sevral years have thought of Augusta & wish'd our children were
there" -- [probably the Methodist Episocpal College in Augusta, KY] "We have had
such accounts of the place from men we could rely on, Mr Southall [her husband Daniel]
feels no hesitation in saying he prefers it to any institution in the world that he is
aquainted with. Consequently he has sent Joseph on, James will meet him in
Pittsburg." "I wish him to return with the Preacher from General Conference . .
. your pa & all opposes me." . . . "James will not hear to his return. Your
pa submit to it provided he wishes to return." . . . "He your Father resolves
never to send another child to Chapel Hill, He is prejudiced against the place from the
dissipation of the place."
"we are still in Murfreesborough." "Mr Southall has not enjoyed good health
lately. For this reason I wish him to travel this summer." . . . "we have a
large expensive family . . ."
"He [Daniel] says his negroes are an expense, he is not making any money
merchandising, John, nor James will not have land nor negroes such as he has for them to
farm, they dislike farming, & he will not sell them [the negroes] . . . our negroes
make light of Liberia. We talk to them wishing them to go & release us from their
expense & they laugh & say they are doing pretty well & all they can, &
what makes us wish to send them away. I am provoked with [them] sometimes, when I am
telling them of the advantages they make so little of it."
sends love to ?Hary? & James. "M. E. is said to be much like you. Your Pa
brightens up & says yes more than any [holes] such such another when her age, more
than her own sister, tho she beats you for wildness. She is all life tho easy to manage,
she now often gets the lock of hairs of your little boy . . ." "Henry is the
artful quisical fellow, Asbury is more mischievous & brisky but nothing evil. I wish
you could see them all."
Mrs. Riddick sends her love
2 May 1829 letter
Daniel Southall of "Enfield" addressed to "Thomas Maney Esq Franklin West
Tennessee"
Kimberly Folder
"I wrote you some few weeks since advising you I had inclosd
you a note by Mr Hardeman I had to take up at bank as security of Jos Branch Decd."
". . . am apprehensive I still owe you money & have sent you the above draft . .
. The bank in Newyork will advance cash for the draft as soon as it is accepted" . .
. "as this is a more safe way of remit[t]ing from Nashvill to the northern Citys than
remit[t]ing money I hope you may be able to sell it at par."
Daniels heath hasn't been good "Under my protracted severe affliction I have my
matters so derangd & papers so mislaid . . ."
"I should [have] forward[ed] this draft sooner but was waiting to see Gov Branch to
get a draft on H Hill for the sum furnis[h]d the orphans of Jos Branch decd which I fal'd
to do."
"If I can possible summount [possibly surmount] all arriving dif[f]icultys, provided
you & Rebecca cannot visit us this year, our plan was to visit frankling in all June,
remain with you until the 1 of August, & set out for augusta college & stay with
Jos until first of Sepr & return (by the way of Baltimore) Home. Daniels plans were to
take the carriage "I have" for Rebecca (further down in letter, he refers to
this carriage as "superb" and "one that was made by one of my special
friends particular[ly] for me." . . . "should last her for many years should no
accident befall it . . ."), send Isaac home with horses, take "stage at Nashvill
to Augusta, by steam Bote to Wheeling, & in 3 days from there [we] could reach
Baltimore in the stage."
One reason for visiting TN "was for Patience to see her Cosin Harry Hill" but
Rebecca Maney told them "He & his Lady would leave Nashvill to spend the summer
in Philadelphia" -- "it has much abated Patiences arder [ardor] to visit (at
this time) Tennessee, until Mr Hills return."
Governor Branch and his family "left my House Thursday last" to move to
Washington -- suggested after Joseph's exams at Augusta College were over "about the
8 or 10 of August", for him to "meet Patience in Washington & spend the
vacation together at his House, & for Joseph to return to Augusta by the time college
[e]xercise commences in Septembr which he can do in 5 days by stage & steam Bote by
Wheeling & as an inducement to his sister to consent [he] preferd to take it upon
himself to arrange entire[ly] for Joseph['s] trip to Washington & Balto."
Daniel states alternate plans could be made "provided you & Rebecca could find it
convenient to pay us a visit at that time" . . .
"one of the dearest objects of my life is to see my dear Rebecca & her little
George before I die, . . ."
States some of his friends & Gov Branch feel he isn't strong enough to travel.
"Labouring under the sufferings of my disease, as I only keep up by the strictest
regimen of diet . . ." "I am now reducd to about 150 lb weight, constantly
afflicted with the most stubborn case of Dispepsy, which no medicine reaches."
Speaking so much of health & settling matters, it seems he feels he might be ill
enough to die & later in letter states "Should my life be spar[d], . . ."
Trying to settle his affairs "I trust by October next I shall pay the last dollar I
owe & make such arrangements with my farms & servants that will afford them
comfortable accomodation with myself & family. Could I see James settled & take
his po[r]tion & do something for Rebecca, [I] shall only have the [hole] Branches of
my family to accomodate."
"The aid & economy of Patience will enable me to get along my remaining days with
ease & repose. I have a great desire to spend 3 or 4 months west, hoping the limestone
water would help me. It would take all this time to visit my many dear Friends in that
country . . ."
he has "accomplish[d] the dif[f]icult lawsuit as guardian to my decd Brothers
Children."
"Industry & Economy will enable all my children to do well with equal po[r]tions
of what I have & without them ten times more would not avail."
"I fear you will scarcely be able to understand this letter. The effects of my
disease disqualify me for writing."
"Your Grandmother was at our House wednesday but in good health."
hopes "you & R. & little George are well."
Asks that Thomas Maney reply "immediately as I have no time to lose in arranging to
accomplish what I desire."
In Post Script says Richard Cowper has money for Thomas that Daniel offered to
"garrantie", but "he declind to do so saying he would pay it by your
special order & not otherwise."
18 Jun 1829 letter
Patience Southall of "Mob." (apparently abbreviation for Murfreesboro) addressed
to "Mrs. Ann R. Manney Franklin West Tennessee"
Kimberly Folder 1
regarding Rebecca's inquiry to James "relative to your piano's
being sent, it appears all have cleared themselves of any neglect or indifference about
you or your having it. . . ." Says that "sometime in the winter" Mr.
Hatchel "came in to take measure & box it to send by a vessel then loading. I
immediately collected all your music that I could get, Mrs Gordon came in & soon
hurried of[f] to bring Barsha's to send with yours, the next thing I heard the vessel was
too full to take it in. The music lay on the table for several weeks, expecting it to go
certainly every week. Finally it was too late. Then Mr Southall was hurt & scolded
James severely for not attending to it for when he was able in the winter he was out of
town much of his time." Patience says she will be sorry to see it go because "it
is almost the last vestige of yours, you left behind, & that which reminds us all so
often of you." and that prior to that "we never may indulge a hope of your
returning to live with us again."
Patience says "I was never more anxious to do anything than to visit you & Joseph
. . ." but from wording of letter, has not been able to.
"I have to write Joseph often, his pa & myself being the only persons who wrote
to him at all & Mr Southall not very often. & there was your pa, John, Emma,
James, I thought certainly would write . . ."
"your pa's he[a]lth being bad keeps us all the time nursing in great anxiety."
"M. E. . . . asks if Sister Becca . . ."
"Henry is about the same quite a large boy . . ."
"Francis is puny, steady child, . . ."
Henry and Francis may be attending school as right after mentioning them, she says
"both commence studying Ceasar this week."
"P... stays at home perhaps about once in a month he gets out. His only associates C.
& M. formerly, are out, at least no visiting. It seems he car[e]s or no one & no
one for him. Can there be a more pit[i]able condition."
Lewis Cowper's situation improved.
Thomas "it is said will be married to M Cowper."
Sister Betsy "pass'd here 10 days ago for Washington, Carried Susan with them."
"Dear little James is one of the best children in the world. . . . calls us pa &
mamy."
"The City is no place for the children. Hope Brother Jack will see it & arrange
differently."
Richard Whitaker went with "Sister Betsy to the City." "He left her 2 days
ago for Enfield on his way home. He says the girls like pretty well but Sister Betsy was
not very well suited."
"R writes me she hopes it will be over soon but I think she will be mistaken."
received a letter from Joseph
"Present me affectionately to all my relations Aunt M particularly. Dear old Brother
Jones if you should see him."
"Dr. OB[riant] & Barshi Mr Manney we all desire to be particularly remembered to
him."
"Kiss little George for me."
"H. F. M. E. [Henry, Frank, Martha Elizabeth] says tell Sister Becca howdy."
Ends the letter "You know being deprived of a blessing makes us value it more, so in
friends being apart it makes them think more of each other no doubt, but let so live that
we may at last meet where farewell may never be uttered, where sorrow & sighing will
be over, may we all meet there is the prayer of your mother, true friend, one that loves
you, & often thinks of you. Farewell P. W. Southall"
22 July 1829 letter
Daniel Southall of "Enfield" addressed to "Thomas Maney Esq Frankling West
Tennessee Politeness of Mr Clark"
Kimberly Folder 1
received a letter from James by Mr Gordon "a few days past . .
."
"Mr Clark is hear on his way to Tennessee . . ."
"This leaves us all in usual health except myself. My disorder has reducd me from
upwards of 200 lb weight, what was in good health, to a little upwards 160 lb, & am
still no better. . . ."
"Govr Branch says the funds recd from Mr Hill for Joseph Branchs Creditors has all
been applyd without a dollar for me. Mr Hill ought to pay the note I sent you out of the
first funds he can collect. . . ." "I hope Doctor OBriant has, or will bring you
the Ballance of his note." "James Southall poor fellow who seems to be doomed to
misfortune, will want some money while away & to get home which you will please
furnish him with."
"I find my constitution & age will not admit of further intense application to
busyness . . ."
"Was it not for the debts of the people, with the plentiful supply of provisions
times would be very comfortable, but such distress for money & sacrifice of property
[I] have never seen before. Merchandis[ing is] not worth persuing. The loss to those who
[?] by bad debts detention of pay etc etc etc has left it a poor occupation. . . ."
pleased to "hear of the recovery of Little George. Hope God will spare him to give us
a blessing."
sends "regards and affection to Rebecca & James . . . "
14 Oct 1829 letter
Daniel Southall of "Murfreesboro"
Kimberly Folder 1
To "Mr. Maney"
"James saw Mr. Hardamond [Hardeman] a week past . . ."
"I have prevailed on your Boy Isaac to go & drive out the Carige . . ." . .
. "It is a first rate Carige made by a gentleman in Deleware, made specially &
purpose[ful]ly for my use. Through a missunderstanding when it was del[iver]d to me it was
the most unexpected occurence imaginable but under such circumstance I was compelld to pay
for it. The builder says [it is] one among the most faithfull [and] finishd Carige[s that]
ever went from his shop, but too fine & Costly for my use. At this advanced age &
as I think [it] will be much more adapted to Rebecca's age &c I resolv[e]d to make her
a present of it . . ."
"Should my life be spard . . ." "My health is about the same, gradually
declining in flesh, but no worse of[f] with my disease only as it tends to weaken me by a
slow reduction of flesh & blood."
"Mrs Hary Long the only grown white person diseasd in our vicinity. Poor Mr Long is
one among the most disconsolate men I ever saw. At the special request of him I performd
her funeral writes [rites] last Sunday week she having died [the] friday night before. . .
."
"I intend on sending a small girl . . . as a nurse for little George provided I can
prevail on the Parents of [?] I have that will answer, to consent to a seperation."
Again speaks of carriage for Rebecca: . . . It was "somewhat injourd by so long
standing in the Carige House. . . . some heavier than ours . . . such a one as a hilly
muddy country requir[es]. It is [a] much lighter handsome [hansom] then [than] Johns that
cost $900."
Richard Cowper "waited on me yesterday . . . "
"Goverr Branch wrote Patience some 5 or 6 weeks past that Harry Hill . . ."
In Post Script: "A Moer has paid me nothing. Will imburse you [for] all necessary
documents to common suit as soon as Lewis Cowper now in NYork returns to prepare them for
me."
28 Oct 1829 letter -- [SSS note this is last transcription of letter
I have from Daniel Southall, he died in 1830]
Daniel Southall of "Enfield" addressed to "Thomas Maney Esp [sic] Frankling
Tennessee Politeness W. Hardaman"
Kimberly Folder 1
"John so engagd that it was impossible to get his aid . . .
request Richard Cowper to make the necessary preparations . . ." (to get carriage to
Rebecca & Richard Cowper replied that he couldn't). (Trouble has been finding a horse
that is suitable to pull the carriage.) "I have done all I could to procure you a
suitable mare . . . but in vain not finding a horse for sale that will do, I send one of
my one, the best family horse I have [e]xcept Patience's horss. This horse has command[ed]
$250 cash in Petersburg. My nephew Simon gave $130 for him when I traded for him. . . .
Hope he will travel to Frankling well."
"Isaac came to me quite naked & I hd to dress him from top to toe . . . "
Lists articles purchased for Isaac
"Cash paid John W Southall for a ?___? United States money"
"One Horse for the Carige $90" (in Post Script Daniel wrote "I Charge you
much less for the Horse furnis[h]d than he Cost me or I would take from any other person .
. .")
Mr Hardamand "seems determined to travail [travel] [in] all weather, & himself a
little negro Jule will be dry in the Carige thought it best to procure Isaac a Cloke to
keep him dry when travailing in the rain, . . ."
". . . relative to my suit with augustus more & send them on as soon as L Cowper
the Clerk gets from N York."
"All as usual [e]xcept myself [e]xtremely week [weak]."
SSS note -- odd that after the Post Script, his initials are transcribed as "D. J." -- I've never seen him referred to with a middle name or as anything other than Daniel. I wonder if it's possible he had a middle name beginning w/ J -- (?James for his father)?
6 May 1833 letter
Patience Southall of "Golden Grove", return address "Enfield N. C.",
addressed to "Mrs Rebecca Maney Franklin Tennessee"
Kimberly Folder 2
"According to my usual custom Madison was called & sent to
the p[ost] office expecting to get a letter from Joseph . . ." Very happy to receive
a letter from Rebecca. "I felt an inward sensation of pleasure (not to be discribed)
to find too, I was not forgotten by one, that once contributed so much to the happiness of
my family . Now I shared not this pleasure with one that formerly took such pleasure in
reading your letters brought bitter feelings to my mind, but as soon as the children came
in, . . ." -- SSS Note -- I assume she is referring to her husband, Daniel, who died
in 1830.
Patience "was greatly disappointed after Joseph left me."
"the boys are here at school. Henry you know sticks close to mamma . . ."
"having so small concern to pay such high wages as Mr Beale expected I have
discharged him, & the boy's attend with an old man I have . . ."
"I sometimes wish we all were in Tennessee ona rich farm, but then none of us alone,
has negroes enough to settle a farm that would be profitable, & to purchase them I
can't consent."
"Henry . . . reminds me of his honoured father . . . his voice is like his, & it
is in the same manner his father carried on . . ."
". . . you know your father was attentive to the Bees early in the morning . .
."
"My daily instruction to them is do as your Father a master did, . . ."
"My Joseph I shall say little about as he will be with you to give an account of
himself . . . if your dear departed Father was here it would make him happy too. You know
he wish'd all his children to be alike the same in feeling, & so often have I heard
him say, when any of them was going out there, 'how it will delight poor Rebecca to see
them' . . ."
"the next, Francis, . . . goes by that name, will be ready for colledg in June, . . .
I believe he loves James dearly . . ."
"M E is doing well, she wrote me she had finished a pretty cap for sister Rebecca.
Brother Jo must go for it. . . . I received a letter from the gentleman he gives perfect
satisfaction . . . she is with the highest in conduct, behavior, & performance, is a
good girl conforms in all things to their wishes. . . ."
"The Enfield friends are all well . . . R I presume will not visit us, her bab[e] has
the [w]hooping cough. I heard from James last week he was still in the house . . ."
"I am truly sorry for James, you know how it is J . . . [?James?] & . . . [?John?
don't feel as they should, indeed J [?John?] did not think I loved James as I did, he
feels the loss of a Father I am sure, John . . . says Parker sells more than ever before
tell Jo this. Julia & Emma will soon increase their [stock] their family is as usual.
Julia Reddick is a sweet thing as ever was . . ."
"I have said nothing about Julia as yet but Joseph can give you more intelligence
than I can. He has seen her, . . . I will most cheerfully do any thing in my power. . . .
I wish she was with M E."
"have not heard from John since Henry return[ed] from the boro."
"my respects to Mr. Maney . . . Tell little George Granma says howdy. . . . Olin
& Rody howdy . . . Jo could not tak[e] his ?cloathes? Margaret left ?som[e]? . .
."
1 Jun 1835 letter
Patience Southall of "Enfield", addressed to "Mrs Rebecca Manney Franklin
Tennessee"
Kimberly Folder 2
"A few days ago I walk'd in the room whre Joseph had been
writing. . . .Joseph has written Mr Maney the news of our Country I expect. He has told me
times without number 'I am going to write Sister R. . . .' . . . I dont believe I ever
knew him to both plan or speak more affectionately of any person than yourself &
husband, & invariable when talking of moving to any place he says 'I must get by
Sister R. & Mr Maney.["]" . . . I am quite anxious to go . . . shall remain
one or 2 years, till Frank & M E are done s[c]hool."
"I wish Jo[seph] to tak[e] out the[i]r negroes. I am sure the guardian ought not to
object to it as their hire does not support them here & we could get twice as much in
Alabama. Frank & Brother Jacks boys are all at home. Frank says 'give my best love to
Sister R . . .' "
"Henry is quite busy & quite industrious. Jo has ever disapproved of his taking
the store here, . . . " "He will attend to the Law & Henry the farm. I am
pleased indeed that he takes such interest in his Brother['s] welfare. . . ."
"Again Brother Jack's family are nearly all gone. They will soon leave. Nearly all my
friends are gone & agoing. This fall Rebecca Nash & family will leav[e] for
Florida. They are here now boarding with me for a few months till they can get ready. She
will soon be confined with her third child that is living."
"Jam[e]s Southall told Jo he might take all his negroes out this fall & he would
join him as soon as practicable. He has purchased the mansion house, store, & Sammy
Jordon W. is partner. . . . He says he will sell out * can do it he thinks when he gets
ready to go. He got it for several 100$ less than it first sold for, as M E's property . .
."
"John will be on here soon I suppose on his way to Tennessee. I should have been
delighted to have visited you last fall with Brother J. . . . since which time I have
regretted I did not. Now I should have as a chance to go with John, but if it was
altogether convenient I should not because neither of them have ever said one time 'will
you go?' He seems to have lost all regard for us, at least if I was to judge by the
interest he manifest[s]. . . . He never once advised me of the children, he is making his
1000's a year & his business has apparently engross'd all his time & attention. J
& E shares the same for they say - & complain as much as I do. I can't help loving
him, and this causes me to say what I do, but I love him better by 10 fold, yes 60, when I
see that affection manifested which ought to exist between family. Julia can tell you more
about E than I can as I have not [seen] her there lately. Poor E suffers from low spirits.
. . . she & James are as affectionate as any Brother & Sister, towards mine, as
well as myself . . . I have left Julia for the last. James has written you before of her
coming & staying with us. She did not go to the boro because M E could not. I carried
Susan, Julia, & M E to school in Feb. . . . James wish'd her to go to Phil. but she
was opposed to going alone . . ."Julia is a sweet girl . . . I regret . . . above all
she has received false impressions about your family, which I have laboured to indicate,
& have succeeded in some measure. . . . She . . . said her granpa gave her anything
she wanted. I expect he does all but cash. James gave her some on going to school. It was
not what she expected, . . . James has manifested great interest for her . . ."
"Julia is after melancholy like yourself, . . . is high minded, independent &
very obliging when there is a mutual feeling. . . . is said to be pretty. Brother J was
quite fond of her. She is something like her pa, but more yourself. . . . She says, if she
ever 'gets done school["] she will go to see Sister Rebecca."
"Remember me to Mr Maney, H. May & Miss D; & Barsha & Bria my old Aunt .
. ."
These extracts and notes were made by Susan Sasek from transcriptions of the documents made (in 1995) and sent to me by Seth Warner. I did not put his transcriptions on this web site as I did not get permission from Mr. Warner when he sent them to me. I do not have copies of the original letters.
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