USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. *********************************************************************** Letter from Elizabeth Braden to Burr Braden June 21, 1830 The following letter was written June 21, 1830 by Elizabeth (Stevens) Braden, widow of Robert Braden, who was living in Waterford, Virginia. She may have been living in the house in Waterford now called "Mill End." The letter is to her son, Burr Braden, and his wife, Mary Dulin (Jenners) Braden, who were living in Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana. Burr and Mary's first child, a daughter named Elizabeth Virginia, had been ill and had died in May 1830. This is the child referred to by Elizabeth in her letter. [letter addressed on back of page 3]: Waterford Va, June 29 Mr. Burr Braden LaFayette Tippecanoe Co. Indiana Mail Mrs. Elizabeth Braden Mrs. Elizabeth Braden Waterford Loudon Co. Va June 21, 1830 Waterford Mrs. Elizabeth Braden My dear Children I have waited with a great deal of anxiety to receive a letter from you but as we delaid [sic] writing to you for some time after we received your last on account of my being anxious [sic] to write a fue [sic] lines myself I have stil [sic] hoped thare [sic] is nothing materiel [sic] happoned [sic]. it is the greatest earthly comfort I have is to hear from you all and hear too you all seem to be striving to doo [sic] well I cannot expect to have the pleasure of ever imbracing [sic] either of you again but I hope to meet you on that happy shore where parting hands will be no more I can say but little on any subject I am very weak in boddy [sic] and mind very much the same as when you was here I wish to be resigd [sic] I hope I shal [sic] to every disposation [sic] of providence I wish very much to hear from your dear little infant I hope she is thriveing [sic] but if it has pleased the Lord to take her try to be resigd [sic] what ever he gives is only lent and as he does all things well he knows when to give and when take and let us try to be thankful at all times [page 2] I did not expect I should when I commenced wrote as much but broken and unconnected as they are I know you will as thoug [sic] they were better I had a very trying time through the winter and spring but I feel like a heavy burthen [sic] taken of [sic] my shoulders since the blacks went away and the children has got to school the girls are in Charlestown boarding with Mrs. Harding the boys are going to school to Wickliff and are boardin [sic] at Mrs Shevelies very comfortably situated we have got letters from all the blacks they had a very quick and pleasant passage and all well and well pleased I commenced this letter yesterday as I sat up in bed the weathe [sic] being so uncommonly cold for several days I was afraid to vonta [venture?] out of bed as I cannot sit up long at a time although I have rode out several times since the weather has been warm I was yesterday alone with the exception of little Charles Winng and her two children as Fenton E. and Sarah Phillips went out to Mr. Harrises to spend the afternoon Noble has gone to Philadelphia on business and has taken a pare [sic] of very hansome [sic] match horses I cannot pretend to give you news of the neighborhood our fammily [sic] is al [sic] wel [sic] John Bradens fammily [sic] is wel [sic] and our Neighbours [sic] are jenneraly [sic] well we received a letter from Hector, Robert and Flemmon Hixson last week they were all wel [sic] and in good spirits I must now draw to a conclusion by requesing [sic] you both to write as often as convenient and receive this from a Mother that [page 3] loves you most dearly Adue [sic] my dear children Elizabeth desires to be remembered to you and Mary likewise to Mrs. Jenners, Mrs B and Nancy and tell them she intens [sic] writing although she has omited [sic] so long you wil [sic] pleas [sic] remember me to them all likewis [sic] Men and boys and tell Mrs Jenners I think of her and all of them very often and should very glad to get a letter from her Elizabeth Braden [different handwriting] Dr Burr. According to your request your Bureau was forwarded to Fredericktown some months since, and I had hoped was on its was to you ere this. Noble passed thro [sic] Fred.n on the way to Phil.a and was informed by Talbot that it wd cost $7.00 to send it to Wheeling, & in consequence he had not forwarded it. Presuming that you wo.d like to have it, I shall order him to forward it, altho [sic]I fear it will prove a dear piece of furniture to you- the wool is packed up with it- The table co.d not be sent with any convenience-It is probable you will not receive the Bureau until fall, as the water will be too low in the Wabash. there is no news- Hixon will be on in a few days- Hector & Bob were well when last heard from Write soon Have you no goose-quills in yr country,- you can make ink out of maple bark. You have been extremely remiss &c Wm F. Braden Notes: Elizabeth's husband, Robert Braden, freed his slaves in his will with the stipulation that they agree to go to either Haiti or Liberia. The letter's reference to the blacks indicates that at least some of the family's slaves did indeed agree to leave the country. The people mentioned in the letter that have been identified are her sons, Noble, Hector, and Robert; John Braden who was her deceased husband's brother; Flemmon Hixson who eventually married her daughter Elizabeth Wright Braden (who is also mentioned). Mrs. Jenners is Mary (Jenners) Braden's mother and Nancy is Mary's sister. Mrs B. is probably Sarah (Jenners) Bradfield, another sister of Mary. And the additional few lines were added by Burr's younger brother, William Fenton Braden. You can reach me by e-mail at: sbeach@iquest.net Sue Beach or at: sbeach@wp.bsu.edu © Sue Beach, 1996 Copying is permitted for noncommercial, educational use by individual scholars and libraries. This message must appear on all copied material. All commercial use requires permission of the author.