.NTEx.Njc2

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                    Greenboro
                    December 4th 1861
My Dear Aunt
        I received your
kind letter a short time ago but
my hands, and my poor heart
have been so full, I could not
write. You have heard I presume
that my darling entered into his
last late Saturday morning, the
first day of December – after four
years of lingering sickness. I
will try to give you some of the
particulars of his death – for this
my heart is almost broken. I
love to think and talk about
him, and I find infinite conso-
lation, in believing that he
sleeps in Jesus. O! Words cannot
express the beautiful [resignation?]
[page 2]
and peace which marked his
last hours. For a long time
his health had been evidently
failing – and tho’ I willfully shut
my eyes to the fact, as being
too painful to endure – he was
[conscious?] of it. and his mind was
much [] on the subject
of his salvation. About two weeks
before his death – good* [] []-
[] came to see him, and ex-
plained to him the way of sal-
vation in such a clear and sim-
ple manner, that my Darling’s
mind enlightened by the Holy
Spirit took hold upon the
truths he heard – and placing
his [] faith in the
service found peace in believing.
He went to bed the next day
with a [] [diarrhea?] – and
[] life it – until we placed
him in [] and
*a Methodist Minister
darker – where his flesh will
[] in hope until the morn-
ing of the glorious resurrection.
His sickness was [compromised?]
with little pain and his
mind remained clear and
solemn until the moment of
his departure. A few hours be-
fore his death, his breathing be-
came difficult but he was
[] one [important?] word, and
acknowledged the goodness of
God in afflicting him. During
his intervals of ease, he would
open his eyes and on seeing
the many sad faces around
would say “I am better now
but only waiting.”? A few hours
before he died, he asked if there
was no one who could sing
“Show Pity Lord”?. I told him
that I could and
he tried to join in the concluding
[page 3]
verse. I then asked him if
there was a doubt or a sha-
dow in his mind – he replied
O! No he comforted in the belief
that you will have a child
who rests in the bosom of God.
He took [] of all in the []
[] included – and left []-
[] to his family – and to his
ungodly [funds?] Dear Aunt
you may think it strange I can
write so [] – I am [] –
He [] [] to me very []
and God dwells in me and a-
round me comforting and strength-
ening and I praise Him for grant-
ing me such an abundant con-
solation in his death – and ans-
wer to my many prayers – and
tho I feel myself a lonely lonely
woman in this great [earth?] [] a
family of [] little []. My
[] Father says “my []
shall be sufficient for []”?
[page 4]
and my heart does not doubt
that promise. I would not
recall my beloved Husband
from his glorious house back
to this [] earth – but will
try to carry my dear Andrews
with me to [] him in hea-
ven. I am sadly in need of a
companion – my tune and dance
are desolate. I have written to
Papa begging that Bonnie might
come and stay with me – but
have not heard from him yet.
I do not know whether she would
be willing to come. We have re-
[rented?] this place and so will
have a house for another
year – as I am in no condition
to make any more at present.
My recourses are very small but
suppose will [come?] enough to
keep us going for awhile. I do not
feel afraid since I have commit-
ted myself and my children
[page 5]
to the keeping of Him who prom-
ises especial protection to the
Widow and the Orphan. Sister
and [] are here – but did not ar-
rive until our dear Alfred was []-
[]. His loss is much felt in
the community – every body loved him.
Ma is staying with me – but
I don’t know for how long. My
wealth has been much [] – and
is my only []. The children
are well. Poor little Harry
is much distressed – and sends
his love to all! Give much love
to my dear Sister – and say I
cannot write to her now – let
her see this. Also to Ma send
[] [] is with you – also to
your family. Pray for me my dear
Aunt. I need your prayers – and O!!
if I could lay my head upon your
heart – and weep away some of
this heavy [] – it would help
me. Friends are as kind as they
can be, but I long for a kindred face
[sideways]
Good night – and may God help us all.   Ever yours, TW
[page 6]
I have no idea what I shall
do – and my [crazy?] [] absence –
but I have a simple dependence
on Him who utters this gracious
promise. “Love thy Fatherless chil-
dren, I will [] them alive –
and let thy widows trust in me.”?
The [night?] for months will []
my []. I am not anxious to re-
turn to VA, on some accounts, and
on others most anxious. Dear Alfred
expressed a wish for me to come live with
his relations – But that does not
appear possible – they are all
scattered and unsettled. It would
be a trial to me to [] [them?]
for I am bound to them all
by [ties?] of gratitude, as well
as of [] afflictions. No one knows
how much they have done for
us. More Noble generous people
never lived – [] has just sent
me lard, and will send more
all the way from Mississippi
[page 7]
without even charging the freight.
Ma's contributions to our comfort
have amounted to over six hundred
and []'s kindness I will
not begin to enumerate. He
too is encumbered with debt and
a growing family. His new
home cost ten thousand – []
[] [] – But if he [] to come
home will sell and move to
Arkansas. Listen [] opposed
with the [love?] of his nu-
merous family – tens of []
are in the war. Henry is just
ordered to Tennessee  – from on
the coast [] Mobile. I hear
from Cousin Mary sometimes.
John's health is very [fine?]. There
has been an immense amount
of sickness and death in the
locality – The marshes about Mo-
bile are pestiferous. We are
busy gardening now. I have ma-
ny vegetables. Peas a foot
high – and Ma is in the gar-
den planting corn – She comple-
ted her seventy second year
other day. I do not think she
is quite as vigorous as she was
before her attack of Typhoid fe-
ver last summer. I hope cou-
sin John has quite recovered.
I have never heard what his
disease was. Tell her to keep
up her energy – all troubles
have an end. I have received
Sister’s last letter, and was dis-
tressed at her account of her
health. What regiment is Dr. []
in? Is Cousin John [] in the
army? Cousin Mary expects
her brothers George and John
in Mobile shortly. She wrote
me a few days since, that she
has seen Cousin Carter and
he was looking well. Is he
going to Virginia this summer?
Papa writes me [that?] he will
[page 8]
probably come with him this
Spring. I hope he will – I feel
at a loss what to do. If I go to
Va. I shall have to move the
[servants?] which will be disaste-
rous to their health. All my house
hold furniture must be sacrificed –
and it is almost as dear to me
as him who is gone – because it
is all associated with him – and
then it is also doubtful if I should
be able to locate myself after getting
there. And there are reasons why I
cannot stay here. First of all, I
would rather be an encumbrance
(if I must be one) to my [near?] rela-
tions. my children are well.
Give my love to all. Where is Ma
[]. How is her health? Please
write me often. You do not
know how I love to get your let-
ters. [] [] in love.
    Your ever off []
    T. Witherspoon
[page 9]
        Exchange Bank of Va.
Mrs. Juliana Dorsay    Petersburg 10th Feby 1862
    Madam
        Your esteemed letter of
4th [] was received this morning
by Lieut. Black with bank notes &
checks amounting together to two hundred
dollars ($200) which is placed to the
credit of Capt. Edmund Ruffin Jr.
as you direct. I will advise him
of the deposit as requested.
        Respectfully
        David Donnan Cashier
Confederates Note $50     Edmund Ruffin fired first
Va. Bank Note $100           gun of Civil War at
Checkout Richmond $50  Fort Sumpter SC which
                                  $200  defeaned him. My great
                                             uncle []
[page 10]
Mrs. Juliana Dorsay
Va        Williamsburg
Lieut. Black    Va
[page 11]
        Greensboro
        Feb 24th 1862
My dear Aunt
        I did not intend
when I received your last kind let-
ter to have permitted it to re-
main so long unanswered and
the time has slipped away al-
most unnoticed by me. I have
looked upon the dark side of life
my dear Aunt, since I and [mine?]
were so kindly received into your
family. Before then – and since
my mind has been a [] to
increasing anxiety and [] on
account of him whom I loved
as my own soul – and now that
my husband’s body is in its
quiet resting place – and his
soul with his Saviour, I find
the want of that can as great
a sorrow. Blessed he God []
[page 12]
desperate, sickening desolation
of widowhood with its pres-
sure and responsibilities are
known to Him who is well
acquainted with every bitter
ingredient in our cup. But
tis His own hand that holds
it – and I know He’ll give
me grace to drink it muskly up.
I seek for no happiness here –
having for thirty years been
[sulking?] in rain – but look
forward to the time with com-
fort, where life’s duty done, I
may be permitted to lay down
its burden – For thank God
“[there?] [] a rest”? “He doeth
all things well.”? – and can say
from my heart, “it was good
for me that I have been af-
flicted”?. Excuse me, I know it
selfish to be continually
pouring out my sorrows into the
ears of those who have already
their own to bear – but “from the
abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh”? and I feel as
if you and my oldest sister are
the only beings now, who can
understand, and bear with me.
I am very well, considering my
[] confinement – my baby
being just four weeks old. I
[went?] to church yesterday, for
the first time in more than
three months. We have a gentle
horse and drive ourselves about
in the buggy. My baby is very
large – and weight two days
ago sixteen pounds two oz. You
would hardly believe such
a great big child could belong
to me – has red hair, and blue
eyes. I have given him my
dear Alfred’s first []. Wil-
liam – my other little boy – hav
ing his name familial title.
Ma is with me still. She
[page 13]
intended going down two weeks
ago, but was detained at first
by the high rains, and now
by the alarming reports from
Mobile. The City is [] ex-
pecting an attack – families are
leaving – and sending their val-
uables away. It is by no means
impregnable. Most of the citizens
are inclined to remain
and bear the [brunt?]. A new com-
pany is forming here, headed by
my friend Mr. []. []
and [] Witherspoon house, or
will enlist – I feel lonely, indeed
I will they have concluded to
leave – for they have been to
me brothers indeed – Our late
disasters in the west have in-
spired the people with new zeal.
The enemy is surrounding us – and
we are in no better condition than
you were. Our help is in God – and
I trust that the [] prayer of our
nation may be accepted of Him.
[page 14]
“The [] who has [] me all my
life”? will [] us to the end for is []
not especially the widow’s husband and
the orphans God. The future looks
dark certainly. Meat is scarce and
high – but we can always get meat –
and will soon have a plenty of vege-
tables. I also have a fine lot of young
chickens. My family now consists of 28
all told – including some of Ma’s ser-
vants who had no other refuge, and
some of my own who have been
[] in Mobile. And with their ar-
rival – my income ceased – but somehow
when my purse gets almost empty
[page 15]
a supply comes in. I hope Sue is
through her troubles. Give my love
to all. Let me hear from you.
Letters from home are a great com-
fort. Juliana has not written me in
more than four months – Mr Bon-
nie in nearly three, and so it hap-
pens the old adage sometimes proves
true “out of sight out of mind”?. They
will [] letter once of three times.
[] sends love. I hope you can
read this Give my love to Ma Law
and Juliana me your [off.?] []
        T. Witherspoon
[page 16]
    Clifton Sa Apl 5th 1862
Mrs Juliana Dorsay
    Madam
        I am made the []
of conveying to you the sad intelligence of the
death of Lizzie the beloved daughter of our mutual
ol friend Col. A Sydney Robertson. While stand-
ing on the bank of the Missi River on yesterday eve-
ning, the turf on which she stood gave way, & she
was precipitated into the water where it was very
deep, & before assistance could be obtained she
sank for the last time. Efforts are still going on
to recover her body, but so far without success.
The grief of your friends is overwhelming, & it is
hard to reconcile ourselves to these most unscruta-
ble dispensations of Providence – But it is our duty
suffer it with all the resignation poor human
nature can bear. Mr. & Mrs. R. have the sympathies
of all & we earnestly hope they may sustain them-
selves under their severe affliction with Christian
fortitude & the Christian faith.
    I am requested to say that your last letter was recei-
ved & an answer was intended immediately, but the Col.
begs you will bear with him for the present & will write
you so soon as he can compose himself sufficiently
to do so -     very truly
            W. R. Cohen
[page 17]
Beck tells me to write you that she would be delighted to have you
come and make that visit.
                    Windrow March 4th 1863
        My dear Mary
        I have just read your letter of the 22nd and
hasten to excuse myself for my long silence.   I can’t think you
ascribed it to the cause you assign for you certainly can’t
doubt my affection for you, seldom an hour passes in which
you are not present to my mind and my great trouble is
that I cannot have the pleasure of your society in my own
dwelling as I once had in happier days, Oh! To have that joy
again.  But to return to the cause of my apparent neglect,
While Dr. Henley’s family and Bunnie were here (4 weeks)
I gave up my room to the 4 girls only dressing & undressing by
their fire and slept in the little room without a fire place.
I could not write in the girls room where they kept such
a chattering nor in my cold lodging room.  After a
while Julia’s arm became so sore and painful from
being vaccinated that I became very nervous & uneasy &
could do little else but wait on her & nurse her arm.
After it got better she left with Bunnie for Ruthven
meantime meantime all the stamps in the house
had given out and I could not write till she sent up some
from Petersburg.  After waiting for them 2 weeks I heard
they had been sent but I have not received them and
I should not now be able to write you if Charles Dupuy
had not bought me some in Richmond.  So you see
I was excusable.  Hope I shall not have to delay writing
so long again.  There is no P.O. in Prince George now,
I have had but one letter from Julia.  She then wrote
me her arm was better.  Mannie Ruffin was to join
her in a few days and after she made her visit to
Lottie Sue & Jennie would return with her to Miss(?)
Louisa’s(?).  She has suffered very much with headaches since
she has been there, and not being able to use her arm
to sew, or read(?) much for her head, has had a lonely
time.  The news of Mildred’s death and John Mead’s
had very much depressed the family.  Poor Lottie is
quite alone in the County all the residents having
fled to Petersburg many of whom have died, among
them Mr. John Bland, Mrs. Sallie Russel(?), Epes(?), and
her mother Mrs. Dunn, and others.  Brother is very
much subdued and changed by his misfortunes.  Added to