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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1859-1866, 1867 & 1871-1874 37 items Correspondence of Amanda C. Armantrout Brand    

Scottsville, Sept. 25, ‘73 [1873]

My dear Cousin:

I have allowed a much longer time to pass, than I intended, without answering your very kind & welcome letter which was rec’d, some two or three months ago - But, I know you will excuse me after having given you my reasons for so doing -

During my stay at Cousin Charles; my health was very delicate - After Aunt Jane died, it became unusually more so - I did not have a spell of sickness - that is something I know nothing about - It was merely extreme weakness - At one time I was not able to walk from the house to the barn - Cousin Charles would not allow me even to ride out - I commenced taking medicine, & by the time I began to improve & spoke of coming home, to make preparations for paying you that long promised visit, I rec’d a letter from home telling me not to come home, that there were two, or three of the family, down with the fever - & they were afraid I would take it - so I was obliged to extend my visit a little longer - Cousin Charles brought me home about a month ago - I have fattened a good deal since I came home - can do more work in a day now than I have been able to for a long time before - Tell Cousin Will, he must retract what he said about "not having any use for such a girl as I am over his way." Eight of our family have had the fever - All are well, now, but Emmet - Kates little boy - he continues to have the chills - had one this morning, but it was not a very severe one -

Ma was one of the number, She relapsed several times - The last time, she was very sick, indeed - She is now convalescent -

I am sorry, very sorry, that those unavoidable circumstances should have prevented me from visiting you, and writing more punctually. I shall not make any more promises - but when I get ready, will start right off -

Cousin Charles has promised to take Alice & I, to the fair in Richmond - Becuase we were prevented from going to Augusta - I am very anxious to go, indeed, but fear another disappointment - I declare, they are almost intolerable, sometimes, but I have to bear them -

There is no news worthy of notice - Supplies of Fall & Winter goods are expected in Scottsville soon - I have a good joke to tell on Mary - She was sitting at the piano just now, playing, when some one told her a gentleman was coming - she jumpped [sic] up & ran away, as fast as she could go, & they had to send up for me to come down & entertain him - I stopped writing, & went down & did so, to the best of my ability - he asked me for a glass of water - I gave it to him - & he then bade me good evening - I wish Cousin Will was here to tease her - I imagine he is good at that game. All join me in sending much love, to you & all - Please write - soon, & a long letter to Your loving Cousin Janie