Wayne County, NC - Winifred Bryan Letter to Sons, 1814 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In cleaning out my parents' house, I ran across this article which was in the Goldsboro paper while my father was stationed there during WWII. I thought it might be of interest to someone. (I have no connection to this family) This was on the Editorial page. The introduction says: 1812 War Letter Kingdoms rise and fall, but a mother's heart is always the same. Winifred Bryan, great great grandmother of the Bryan brothers of Goldsboro, wrote a letter to her sons serving in the US forces in the War of 1812. It is just such a letter as a mother would write today to the sons serving in the global war. Robert Bryan, rummaging through old effects of his father, came across the letter. Here it is with all the love and longing that only a mother can express for her own. North Carolina, Johnson County, December 10th, 1814 My Dear Sons: Accompanying this letter you will receive some clothing for the relief of your present necessities. One pair of breeches and two shirts to Harry and pair of drawers to David. If you require anything more you will not be backward in making it known, as frequent opportunities occur to send. Your mother's hands that nursed you from infancy will be extended to your support while God shall give them strength. Leaving a rehearsal of the news of the neighborhood to your brother and others who may write, I will attend alone to that duty which is required of me as a mother: the instruction of the children. My dear sons, you are now out of my sight and beyond the reach of my voice among strangers and a variety of characters; young men called into that service which has a tendency without a strict regard over one's self, to harden the feelings and brutalize the manners of men. I must therefore content myself with the mode of requesting you to remember the many instructions I have given you whilst you were with me; to remember that you were raised in civil society and guard against that encroachment of savage disposition incidental to camp life. It is my particular request that you abstain from drinking excessively, cursing and swearing and other debaucheries of human nature. Guard against the temptations of every evil, and indulge not in anything that will tarnish the character of the Christian or the gentleman. Be kind and attentive to your soldiers. Let not a hasty temper unguarded expression incur their displeasures. Be obedient and dutiful to your superior officers. Endeavor to improve in discipline, and should emergency require it, support the honor of your family, your country, state and the interests of your country. William will be in to see me shortly after Christmas Holidays are over, and should you need anything more write me and I will send it by him. You will deliver my compliments to Mr. Walton and Mr. Pool. I resign you to the protection of that God who gave you life with an anxious hope of seeing you return well when your line of service has expired. Your loving mother, Winifred Bryan ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Julia Mortenson ___________________________________________________________________