13

-tomed to writing, that I am very often at a loss to
know what words to use to make my meaning under-
stood; and have even had recourse to coining words.
I will commence from the time that I first recollect
myself, which is where I was five or six years old,
and continue up to the present period of my life, in
which I am 18, and a married Lady. Having brought
it up this far, I will then every day write a little
as long as I live. My husband gave me this book,
with the express wish that I should make use of it,
to render it more valuable to me, he wrote a preface
in it. If every page in the book was blank, except the
first four, it would be of inestimable value to
me. We have been married three months, and he
still loves me; leaves me with regret, and returns
to me with pleasure. But I forgot; before I record
the present; I must make mention of the past.

I was born in Charleston, on the 28th of October 1819. My
Mother was a Miss Hayne. I was her fourth child. She has
one Son (her eldest) and four daughters. My Father was
a Lawyer. I have no recollection of him at all. He died
when I was a little girl three or four years old, of Consump-
tion at Philadelphia. My mother left us little children
at home with our relations, and went on with him
to the North where she became a Widow. She return-
ed home with my Uncle Colonel Arthur Hayne, and
says when we were presented to her dressed in White
Frocks, and black ribbons, she thought us the sweetest