folder 31: 1840s–1850s

PLease send the parcel from [Geo] to B & J - so that [Bulter] can bring the shoes - For fear the Everglade may pass tonight. I will send the things over to Hamilton & order a watch [kept?] [?] - 1 bundle bedding - containing 1 bed, 1 mattress (1 dinner tray - 1 bolster - 1 [s?ch] (mattress 1 tub with a round of beeb & tongue 1. box with 3 jars sweet meats & [?ang?s ] [borla?] 1 champaign basket with 1box [Toogies?] dress. 1 parcel for [Cousin A.] 1 box 58 eggs1 paper box [Mrs? Branch]. 1 pair 9 Boots [Butler[ & [J?son]

I wish I could get by [Butler] 20 yds briliant such as you had for petticoats not over 18^3/4 cts per yard - for night-gowns for the girls - you could get samples sent you from D & M - do not go to them for it -

The letter to [Mr Anderson] as is that he must give me freight to the Everglade

I will write a few lines to dear [Floyd]. I know this weather is against him poor fellow for he wont keep out of it. You will have to bring [Lords] [bra?] & I think you had best bring his bath tub & blankets. & if [to?] be had my camps. I will add more if I can find any more to say. I do not think [Cooney] is as much to blame as you think he is. He would never have told me had I not questioned him closely.

You will be shocked to hear of the murder of [M^r Wood] by [Charles Moore] - I thought [Moore] a better man.

Please bring [?] for your buffet let them be charged to me - as you gave me your dear child. On the other [side?] are the symptoms of [Nancy] & [?] - they are taking the [D^[rs?] Physic?] - but it does no good

I am [?ing] to get you [?] & [beans?] [are?] I have to send you my child.

Your devoted Mother [AMKing]

4^th April

My own child

It is now 4 & the steamer S^t Johns just gone to Brunsmick - I wrote you quite a volume yesterday - but must add a few lines more to unsay what I wrote as the cause of [Johnston]s childs death. [Horace Gould]s man [Sandy] was sent here with a bundle for [John] to take care of - & [M^r Sandy] told to [Clementine] & [Maria] this distressing story about the child. Yesterday I mentioned it to [Clementine] after my letters were sealed & in [John]s possession - [Clementine] then told me that [Sandy] had made the lie out of his own head that the child had met m with no such accident - it had taken cold & suffered a relapse after apparently recovered from scarlet fever & that alone had caused its death.

[Butler] & I are mad as two sticks with [John] for not sending in time this morning for your oysters When [Smart?] went the tide was too high -

I am so sorry! We hope for better luck next time.

I must now stop - as dinner is ready -

Your devoted Mother [AMKing]

[left margin, writen at right angle] Your dear Father made over to me so many envelopes I could not resist send you two [pachs?]

22^nd August

My own [Bob]

I have written to [Anna] & [Willie] & now I must write to you my precious little [Bobby] I am so sorry you have had so many boils - I know they are very painful & must have for the time spoilt your beauty my pet. But may be those boils prevent ed you from having fever. I am delighted to hear that you have got rid of the troublesome things & are well & as fat as ever. I have seen no child so prettysweet as you are since I left home. One little girl older than you sits near me in church every Sunday. I fancy she looks like you & cannot