Taylor Letters belonging to: Margaret Newman Missoula, Montana June 29, 1998 1. Addressed to : Wm. D. Taylor Taylorsville, Hanover Brown circular postmark: Orange Ch Sep 6 Va This letter sealed with a small lavender sticker: Better Late Than Ever Moreland, Sept 6 My dear Sister: Your letter has been recieved several days ago and should have been answered but I have had no opportunity to go to the ct house, but I shall go up in the morning and spend next week with Aunt Howard. I have been alone here since last Monday morning. Mr.Morton, cousin Jane and Millie took their departure for the north, will probably go as far as Boston and expect to be back between the fifteenth and twenieth. You will ask why on earth did not go with them: which question I will answer another time. I have not been loanly since they left as I have plenty of work and some very interesting books, thos I have not seen a white face since monday evening. I walked over to Eliza Taliaferro's where I met a house full of old maids, Ann and Lucy Turner, Miss Ellen Lomax, and Miss Hendrson Dunlap. I told them that I thought Sisterhood would possession of the neighbourhood. Miss Jane and Eliza Taliaferro were all alone at Robert Willis's. I had quiet possession here and there were four aganist me at Eliza's. I begged she would hold on to her premises tho I thought it would be the bravery and courage of Cousin Zack to keep her ground. Mr. Moncure being the only batchelor in the party I suppose wiched to conciliate the fraternity so gave them a dinner. I furnished butter and plates but did not go. Julia Smith and children were here about a week since looking very well. She does not expect Miss Stoodley to return. Says that herself and cousin George were much pleased with her but the children were not fond of her, she did not like to teach so they are on the lookout again. I saw a letter from Cousin Wm. Smith he was at Matemoros is surgeon general to Gen'l Taylor's army which is the best situation that he could be in as it will divert his mind from his domestic troubles. Mrs. Smith has gotten a divorce but is now anxious for him to receive him again, which his friends are much opposed to. Mrs. Maysant has the children and is anxious to keep them which I suppose she will as long as he is in the army but I think he is anxious that Cousin Jim should have them. Cousin Helen Grinnon and Robert spent last week with us. She had a bilious attaack and the Drs. insisted that she should leave her daughters sick room and retreat a little in the country. Eliza says is a perfect skeleton but may outlive Mary who keeps a blister constantly running, but is patient and resigned, that her mother bears it better than she would otherwise do. Mary has been a great comfort to her than all of her children put together but I think cousin Helen has more fortitude than any woman I ever saw. She heard while here that cousin John's new wife was at the point of death, had just a mishap. Contrary to the expectations of all her friends, the first exclamiation was "Poor Uncle John he will have the trouble of getting another wife". Felix Taylor and his new wife are at Spring Garden. I have not seen her but I have heard that she pretty and intelligent and very young. Ann says she does nothing except eat lemons. I suppose she has Bill's disease. Cousin John is at Red Sulphur Springs in wretched health - thinks his lungs are affected. I forgot to tell you that we had a very pleasent association - only Mr. Stringfellow and Dr. Wallen the latter is still a true Methodist in his manner, vey loud, tho he was much liked but i don't think he is to compare to Mr. Stringfellow. I was glad to hear that you are still at Taylorsville and hope you will continue there all this month for I can't bear the idea of you being much alone. I was delighted to hear of dear little Otho's improvement hope he will continue to improve till his father sees him. I was as you may suppose surprised and delighted at Ella's good fortune. It is the best match I ever knew where there was so great a disparity in years. I suppose Mary is charmed as she has so great a horror of the fraternity but she must imitate her sisters good qualities, piety and amiability were her only good attractions, both of which poor Mary is deficient in. Her sister ought and surely will give her a home. I hope the boys will not think og giving Christian more than legal interest, it is shameful in him to ask it, it shows little gratitude he has for father as literally been supporting them since they have lived at Taylorsville for the board they have paid did not pay for their snacks. I would not do it to save him but would stand a suit first. Poor Em how much I feel for her she bears it as well as a devoted mother could. Remember me t cousin Mary Ann & all, and a kiss for my dear little Burnley abd tell her that I have wished no little for my Fanny's the past week since I have been all alone. I hope that she does not neglect her lessons. I shall hope too hear her reading when I go down and say all her commandments. My other poor Fanny I fear will forget what she has learned. Tell Hardin that George Bruce has been in this neighbourhood at Col. Welch's ever since he left Lexington. He was at church Last Sunday but I did not recognize him. I hope she will not go to Winchester unless she has an escort and is well fixed. Much love to father, mother, Ange and the boys, and ask Ange if Fanny's baby things are out to lock them up in my room. I have gotten my trunk. If any of the kin are with you give much love to them and ask Aunt Fanny where a letter would find Mary or if one would find her at all. I hope Aunt Winston is better. Aunt Howard looks better than she did last year. Once more farewell ever yours Fan I shall address this to father as I see by the papers that the franking privileges is again restored to P Masters. ---------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Margaret Newman Westiemags@aol.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material AND permission is obtained from the CONTRIBUTOR of the file. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation.