Knoxville Tenn.

Aug. 25, 1859

My very dear husband, 

O, I do not want to write to you now. I would so much rather sit with my arms around your neck and my head on your shoulder so I could talk and say all I want you to know. I am so tired I feel just like resting myself in that way.

I went to town this morning. Mother insisted I should go and get some clothing and have ready for her. She is very - very low - so much as I am almost afraid to be left alone with her. There has been no sorrel applied since the day you left so that the cancer has begun to grow worse, but she is now too feeble to have it applied. O, she has changed greatly since you left. If had been the will of the Lord I would have been glad to have been delivered from ever seeing my dear mother in the condition mine now is and has been for many months. To see one who has done so much for me and ministered to me in all my sufferings - - suffer so much and not be able to do any thing for her is distressing. She is very patient. She is now so weak she can scarcely speak above a whisper. I am confident she will not be with us long. I know she has lasted longer (than) any of us dreamed of or hoped for, but she has never been so low before as she now is. 

I am so tired and my legs ache so I can't write much this evening. O, I was so glad to get such a long letter from you - the extra contents was also acceptable. I bought some yarn for our children's stockings, some shoes for Dolly and some stuff for Lu - a warmer Sague. Also some flanel for the little girl's petty cotes. Ella has very much neaded (a) nurse since she has been sick. She and all the others are very well now. Lu is getting perfectly fat since he got well of his sores. They do pretty well at night. I am up some every night. The black spots on my legs are much larger than they were and trouble me by a burning twiching disagreeable feeling. I think my going up and down stairs causes this. I am doing tolerably well otherwise. 

I am glad you did not have the fever. If you had I would have been with you soon after hearing it. Mother could be taken care of without me some way, but you have no one near you to do for you if you should be sick. I hope you will not be however. I feel like being deprived so long of your society is making a great gap or blank in my life so far as a real enjoyment is concerned. None can fill your place.

Early morning 26

I was called away and this is the first time I have found to finish this letter. I have just been down to see how mother is. She is just about as she was - had a very bad night. This is Lu's birthday. I am going to give him a little cake for them to eat out at their play house. I hope you are doing well and will write - I know you will - - - to your own

Mary

I left this letter down yesterday and you see what the children have (done) for it. I think it was Lu - he is the most mischievious fellow I ever saw. The children had a great lamentation about their pig. I hope they will not all die for the children's sakes. Ras is very unwell. He can't study while his health is so bad. He has not yet decided what he will do. He has been talking of going to Texas this fall. I am sorry for him - - he feels so bad he don't know what to do.

Have the turnips come up? I want to know how all the things are coming on at home. I am very busy these days but not getting much done to show. How I will be behind with my work again as I am always. But let it all go. I am doing my duty, I think.

 


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan