Letter: Margaret Stabler Hallowell to James S. Hallowell, July 14, 1849

Harewood 7^th mo 14^th 1849 First day evening 9 oclock

My Dear James I just heard that Uncle Joseph Gilpin is going to Washington tomorrow morning- so I thought I would write to thee and get him to drop the letter in the W. post office - I forgot to say any thing about thy getting up here this week, though we expect to hear what day thee will be ready to come by third day's mail, Do make haste - & come, for I cannot tell how much longer I will hold out, as I feel pretty tottering sometimes, it has seemed a pretty long week since I saw thee my dear Jamie - Father says he will send to the steam boat wharf to meet thee but thinks he cannot send all the way to Alexandria as it will take two days from home - There will be no mistake this time as I am here to attend to it - I start them off early in the morning - so that they can meet thee at the boat by 12 oclock,, Thee can bring as many things as thee wants to, about bringing the jars do as thee thinks best - thee had better bring thy large trunk as there is so much to take home, - bring thy Leghorn hat up - I can get

is bleached up here most beautifully for 50¢ a good deal cheaper than thee can get it done in town - Anna Wetherald does them, I want thee to get me one and & a half yards of the prettiest 12'-4 gingham they have at Taylors. Father says get him a yard & a half of that green vesting, or gingham, or whatever it is, like Edgar Hutchinson had, the one he had in the spring & I wanted thee to get one like it, he says if they have any brown that is as pretty as the green thee may get one pattern of each, Mother says if thee will bring some of our chickens up with thee she will give us some ducks in the fall, for them if they are left - there they will all be stolen, I expect, and I want some fried chicked to eat myself - if thee will not be ready to come before sixth-day we can write again - I think that would be the best way to fix it - father may change his mind & send all the way - by that time. Little Eddy is fast a sleep in the cradle by my side - is improving every day and is very good - it is bed time & I am very tired - so good night says thy faithful loving & affectionate wife Maggie I would have no objection to [Alban's?] sleeping at our house, while thee is up here - he can have Mother Jones's room - that is if thee thinks well of it-

Edw, Stabler [?] Free

James S. Hallowell Alexandria Virginia