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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1856-1861 16 items Letters of John P. Lightner to Amanda C. Armentrout Brand #11332

Fancy Hill

Jan. 15th 1859

Dear Friend;

I suppose you think I have forgotten you, but far from it. I received your kind & affectionate letter, and was truly glad to hear from you & my old schoolmates on the Creek. I am not very well at present, as I have a very bad cold, which is quite common in this vicinity.

Well, news is so very scarce I hardly no [sic] where to get intelligence, to write to you.

I was in company with some ladies last night; and my ideas are a little tangled, and it requires some exertion to extricate them. But I managed to keep my heart, and am no suscipient [sic] (as you already know) of other people’s hearts. I hope you had a joyous time, during your meeting at Calvary, & also hope you had a revival of religion in your midst. Gou said that there was need of one in your neighborhood; you need not limit it to your own neighborhood for all neighborhoods need it.

Gou made mention of some in Greenville, who had made a profession, I was glad to hear of it, and hope they will remain "steadfast in faith."

Gou hoped, (you said) that I might succeed in getting one of Mrs. P.[‘] daughters, I have not courted them yet[.] I have not gotten sense enough to do that, I think I will have to take a few lessons from you, for fear I begin wrong and fail in my attempt. Gou said that you would like for me to send you my likeness, I’m afraid I would break all the glass that can be started. I am very thankful that I am going to school where I am; I know Midway of old, and the "Burg" is not far behind.

Well, I want to go to prayer meeting to night, so I must conclude. Give my love to all inquiring friends & accept a portion for yourself. Write soon

Yours, affectionately from

your friend

John P. Lightner

P. S. I wanted to come down Christmas but circumstances did not permit - I hope to meet you some of these days on earth, if not in heaven[.] Be zealous in the work before. Tell Jacob to be patient[.]

[Attached to this letter is an envelope postmarked Feb. 19, Lexington, Va. and addressed to Miss Amanda C. Armentrout, Greenville, Augusta Co., Va.]