Perry County AlArchives History.....Letters from Capt. William G. Coleman to Mary Jane Heard
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
J. Hugh LeBaron hlebaron@ms.metrocast.net January 2004


Love Letter By Captain William G. Coleman to Mary Jane Heard.  Coleman lived in 
east Perry County, Alabama and Mary Jane Heard was the daughter of Thomas A. 
Heard, also of east Perry County.


							February 3rd 1844

My Dearest:

I have seated myself this evening after the retirement of all of the family, to 
pen down an idea or two that has been presenting themselves to my mind for 
several days.  1st You have perhaps heard so much said against me that you do 
not think me worthy of so pure a heart and hand, as yours, Dearest.  2nd If you 
have any fears that I am capable of deserving you be candid and tell me so, for 
under existing circumstances plain and candid dealing will certainly be best for 
us both.  3rd Dear Jane you are of sufficient age to judge of such qualities as 
a gentleman ought to possess for you to enjoy life with, you know my person, my 
disposition, my habits, and so on and so on; now Dearest if you do not think a 
combination of all you know of me, would give you ease, comfort, and that you 
could feel yourself happy by uniting your destiny with that of your fond lover, 
then Dearest you would wrong yourself and me, to marry me.  4th Can you not pity 
me for the abuse and slander that is so maliciously hurled at me-and all, and 
only because-I love you.  I may be represented to you as a deceiver, a swindler, 
a gambler, a murderer, and even a thief, and I can bear it with calmness and 
quietly, but not willingly, and will after all love you.  5th I have had some 
hints that my reputation as a gentleman is doubted.  It seems to be with your 
informant, I assure you Dearest that I have yet to learn that my reputation as a 
gentleman, has ever been questioned, until your informant reported it to you, I 
will if you are not satisfied with my statement I will give you references (both 
in this state and So. Ca.) so that you may learn my parentage, my character, and 
my habits, the charges which has been alleged and reported to you Dearest 
against me are without authority, the reasons why reported against me none has 
been given I presume, none can be given, only that I love you, and that you 
ought not to love me in return.  6th You know Dearest, That Christ was accused 
of hypocrisy, and other offenses, for which he even suffered death, we then need 
not look or expect better luck than God himself met with.  Now Dear Jane look at 
all these things carefully and I think you must think with me that it is all 
done through design.  Remember that I am doomed to love you so long as I live, 
then can't you love me for pity's sake, and marry, and make me happy for love's 
sake.  Don't let the prejudices of others deter and prevent the execution of 
your wishes, when it may accord with your judgment.  Oh, Dearest, then let us 
consummate our anticipated happiness, for I hope our souls have formed an 
inseparable union, is it not so.  I have indisputable evidence that you do love 
me, in return for my devoted affection for you, and Oh God that your judgment 
may still direct you to love me so that our happiness may ere long be 
consummated is the prayer of your faithful admirer, and afflicted lover.  I 
would visit you weekly, had you not requested of me not to do so.  You say you 
regard my feelings too highly to suffer me to have them injured, -- and that I 
regard your feelings so much higher than I do my own, is all that could prevent 
my visiting you, for I know if I was to visit you at your Father's you would as 
you love me have to suffer for it.  Now under all these circumstances will you 
not Dearest tell me that you will be mine, and content my tortured and almost 
distracted mind.  You told me that if your Parents were  willing you would marry 
me. You know they will not consent willingly that you may marry any gentleman.  
Why not then marry the man you say you love better, and prefer to all others.  I 
am sure you will never have cause to regret it unless I out live your affection, 
which I hope never would, or could be.  If you will not promise me now, that you 
will marry me under the present circumstances, must I conclude that you never 
will, and cease to interrogate you on this subject.  You may be assured Dear 
Jane that if you will marry me that your Parents will soon become reconciled to 
your own choice.  You have some relations that will never forsake you in 
consequence of your taking such a step, but will continue their friendship, and 
commend you for your course and principles, because they delight in an 
independent principle.  Dearest do not keep me longer in suspense, for days 
appear to have the length of weeks, weeks months, and months years.  Then, Oh, 
imagine my feelings, knowing that you are the only earthly object of my desire 
and that upwards of four long weeks have elapsed since I have had the pleasure 
of enjoying a sight of you, much less than the enjoyment of your society, which 
is far dearer to me than any thing can be.  Now let me close by desiring a 
candid answer to the above questions.  Give me a direct answer.  
	I will because I can subscribe myself in truth.  Yours devotedly, beyond 
expression 
							W. G. Coleman

Miss M. J. Heard, Oh let it be Mrs. M. J. Coleman

	My love has been spoken, I must bid you adieu, 
	Yet heaven never smiled on affection more true, 
	No Heart more devoted earth's compass within, 
	Than the Heart of your lover, W. G. Coleman


The full story of Captain's Coleman wooing of Mary Jane Heard can be found in 
the Perry Volunteers in the Mexican War by J. Hugh LeBaron and published by 
Heritage Books-www.heritagebooks.com.  Two years after writing this letter, 
William G. Coleman and Andrew Barry Moore raised a company of volunteers to 
serve in the Mexican War.  Coleman was elected captain of the men from Perry 
County and continued to express his love for Heard in a diary that he kept 
during the war.

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