1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

6. Underlining in the original document is repeated in the transcript.

7. An attempt is made to keep editing to a minimum to preserve the often unique character of the original.

-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

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

Waveland, Ind.

May 31st 1874

My Precious Friend,

The long & anxiously looked for letter was gladly received not long ago, & read & reread[.] you you [sic] have no idea how much good your letters do me. They are so good & long - just the kind I like to get but dont like to write them. for my mind always run’s [sic] faster than my pen, When I write to you to always think of more than I can put down[.]

Isnt this a beautiful Eve [?] Just cool enough to be pleasent [sic] [.] I profhisied [sic] this morn that we would have a fine rain, but it has rained but little yet. is thundering now hope it will rain for we need it badly[.] had but little rain since this month set in. Most of the farmers are done planting corn. well I only know of one that is not done in this neighborhood & that is a young man that is always behind times[.] The grain feilds [sic] are looking fine. I guess you have a fine garden by this time. Wish I was there to eat cherries[.] I guess they will soon be reip [ripe]. havent had one since we have been here. saw a few last summer as we were going to church but dident [sic] have a chance to smell them[.] I know if I was at home I could get dead [?] loads for we alway’s [sic] had so many more than we could use. I often think of the dear old place, & some times [sic] wish that we were there. I know it is wrong to wish it but I do. it does me good to hear from there. I guess you all went church this morn. I would love to hear Mr. Strickler[‘s] Church. We have not good preaching close. it is more than a mile to the Newlight Church. I dont know how to spell the name, but I know I do not like to hear them preach. I wish you could hear some of the remarks that they make in the pulpit. I know you would die laughing. now this reminds me of what the Funny Preacher said the other Sunday[.] he said people so often err.. by telling little stories[.] he says, for instance Well I thought I would die laughing. he said no one ever thinks of dieing [sic] when they are laughing so hard. I thought some might when they laugh so hard as I do sometimes[.] well he said he called on some of his brothers not long go & there was company there[.] one of the Ladies put on a great deal of stile [style], at dinner. when the Lady passed her uncommon small pies around cut in seven peices [sic] instead of five, the stiliss [stylish] Lady says, ["]Oh, you cut your peicies [sic] so very large & cut a peice [sic] in two.["] dont that beat your times.[?] Tell Mr John B. if he wants to die laughing to come on west but tell him he can get a better sombody [sic] for a wife closer home than I. Me thinks I hear you say I think so too. no tell him I am a fraid [sic] he will take the chills. Well by the way I will tell you something if you wont tell any body. I know you would die laughing if you was to read the letter I recived [sic] from Proom’s. [?] I intend to save it & if you wont come out to see me, I will, if I can come to you, & let you read it. it is just a few words that is so very laughable. he made a mistake and doesnt [sic] blot it out. well he tryed [sic] but ___ I could make it out. Ha ha [!] it is too bad me telling but I but [sic] confidence in my precious friend I guess I will an’s [answer] his letter sometime soon you may know as we were friends. I think he was very kind to me[,] dont you[?] better than I deserve[.] he was a very good lad in some respects, but indeed we all have our faults, so I will be silent about Promises. How is my dear little Frank & all of them[?] You havent an idea that I want to see Frank as badly as I do. Oh! I do want his Photo so bad that I can hardly wait until you send one [to] me. I must have all of their Photos & yours & Mr. B. I want you to send me all, soon, do please. I am glad Johnnie is so fond of his book[.] tell him I am looking for that long letter ever day [sic] & will until I get it[.] tell Frankie to make haist [haste] & learn to write & then he wont have to ask Mama to hold his pen[.]

[The above letter is unsigned. However, the letter dated May 16, 1873 includes the following: " John has landed safely in Indianna but had not gone into work yet when they heard from him", so we may assume the above letter is from John.]

[Attached to the above letter is an envelope addressed to: Mrs. Kate A. Brand, Carter _____, Augusta County, Virginia, and postmarked Waveland, Ind. Jun 2.]