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Letter from Rector Stringfellow (Hanover Cty., Va.) to Nina L. Powell (Prince Edward Cty., Va.)

3 August 1863


Powell Papers – 65 P875, Box III, Folder 4


- - - - -


Verdon Hanover


Augt 3, 1863


 


Miss Nina L. Powell


 


Yours of the


24th Ult. is to hand – In


times of such difficulty I find


it as much as I can do to


provide for so large a family


as mine, receiving so small


a Salary as I do, only $600 &


I feel unwilling to levy (?) myself


under any obligation that


I cannot meet – I see from


an advertisement in the paper


that a lady advertises to


teach French, Music & the


ordinary English branches


to reside in Richd simply


for her board which is now


one of the most serious


items in living, as everything


is so scarce – With us


[2]


music is not indispensable,


& in consideration of that fact,


I will submit to you the


following proposition which


I think is quite liberal, as I


have never paid over $200


for a teacher, & for the last


two years not half that


amt – I have two boys & a


daughter, for whose tuition I


will give you $300 but to enable


me to pay that amt I must


have the privilege of taking two


day scholars, & you can have


all we can get over that number.


I know of three I can get &


I feel very sure of two others,


which would make the school


consist of eight pupils, for


three of who you would


receive $150, making your


salary amount to $450 &


[3]


board, which in these times


is quite a good living – One


of our neighbors has a friend


who gets in Richd $1500


salary & pays $125 per Month


which consumes every dollar


for his board monthly & leaves


him nothing for clothing &c


 


If you think favorably of the above,


please inform me at once.


Very truly


H Stringfellow


(Note:  Nina must have responded to the Rectors letter of 21 July and they have begun negotiations.  A move to Hanover would put her closer to her father but further from her two sisters and also in much greater peril from Yankee cavalry raids and campaigns by the armies.)