We thought this morning, dear sister, that aunt Marks was dying, I did not think she had more than a few minutes to live. They had taken her up as usual to dress her & had completed what was absolutely necessary when she became so faint,...
Nicholas somewhat exaggerated the matter my dear sister when he said that we all complained of your silence, it is true that mama murmured at the plan of writing but once a fortnight & seemed to think she could not so readily submit to use economy in this particular instance, as she could in...
Every unkind feeling has been buried in the grave of the sufferer; no longer an object of terror or apprehension, he became one of deep sympathy, or rather commiseration and kind feeling; and affection it self could not have watched with more attentive and patient kindness over every motion or...
our late dinner has scarcely left me time I fear my dear Sister to despatch a letter to you before it grows dark, but having defered writing till evening, I have no alternative between making the best use of the little day light that is left me now, & infringing on the morrow morning, which...
I was just preparing to answer a letter from Joseph which to my infinite regret arrived a week after Susan had left us when I received yours announcing poor old Mrs Coolidge’s death. few, perhaps I may say none, who had seen so little of her as I did, will regret her more sincerely. on her own...
It is a long time dearest Ellen since I wrote to you, or have written regularly; and I so seldom write to any one else, that although the list of my correspondents is an appalling one if they were at all particular with me yet they are mostly indulgent kind friends glad to hear from me when I can...
Mary & myself have been here (at Mr Garrett’s) some days, Dear sister & intend remaining for a week or two; now that we have done with the manuscripts we are at liberty to pay visits to our friends here which we have always...
it seems a long time since we have heard from you my dearest sister, and I believe that we on our parts have not been very regular in writing to you of late. I spent the week before the last, which is now just ended, in Charlottesville with Cornelia and she I think wrote you from there. she is...
I have only time to write you a line dear Ellen, to tell you the news. Jefferson has a son at last, born on the mor at two oclock in the morning of the 29. Jane suffered less than common at the time but complained more of weakness, afterwards. to day the third day, she has a good deal of fever....
I hope you have not been made uneasy my dear sister, by not hearing from us as often as usual, I did intend to have written a week ago but was constantly busy & for nearly a week past I have been paying leave taking visits to all my friends and acquaintances in the neighbourhood. tuesday we...
As I have prevented Virginia from writing, Dear Sister, I must write to you myself in spite of the drowsy & stupid feelings which oppress me mama will I believe write very soon to Mrs Coolidge; she has been staying with Mrs H. Smith in the country & was there when Mrs C.s letter arrived;...
I have only one moment to tell you, we arrived safe & well Sunday at 3 o clock, and with as pleasant and prosperous a journey or rather voyage, as good company, bright skies & smooth seas could ensure—the thursday must be excepted when the jolting of the stage or perhaps the anxiety of...
You have some reason to complain of us dear Ellen but not as much as you seem to think. a slight sketch of our family matter will explain the thing better than any other way that I can devise, ad ...
Mr Bailey left us yesterday morning and by him Joseph will receive the thermometer & Oliver Cromwell, and Nell a little present from her Aunt Trist. I have been am very much mortified at not having been able to go out to get some trifle for each of my darlings but for the last month I have...
Your interest in dear George will make you anxious to learn the important event that has taken place in his short history Jefferson saw John Nicholas in Baltimore who is going out in the John Adams upon a cruise of 3 years, to the mediterrannean, Constantinople & &. he pressed upon him...
You were right in Your conjectures My dear Ellen; parting with George has been a great affliction to me, and my health has consequently failed, as usual; but convinced as I am of its being for his advantage I hope you know me well enough to beleive that I have never for one moment repented. my...
We received a letter from George yesterday, my dear sister, dated the 6th as he finished it they were just anchoring in sight of cape Henry & I suppose sailed fairly the next day. George had just got a sprain some days before & although he says it was getting well I am afraid it was bad...
Since I wrote to you Dear sister Mr Donnelson has come back to Washington; how the president will settle matters about his private secretary I do not know, but Nicholas is very unwilling that any thing should be said about his having been chosen. therefore, though it is improbable that you should...
I am ashamed to have kept your letter 3 weeks unanswered dearest Ellen but it requires some time for me to get settled and to learn to do any thing in a family of such unweildy dimensions and where 6 of them are small enough with Jane’s management or rather want of management to cry & make a...
I have been prevented from writing to you, my dear sister, by mama’s intention of doing the same thing, & she was prevented by the accident of visitors coming in several times just as she had begun her letter; this was the reason you did not hear from us as soon after our arrival as we...
I received your letter dearest sister, two days ago, while on a visit to our kind friends the Dunglison’s, who had pressed us so much to spend the week during the meeting of the visitors, with them ...
I take this opportunity to write to you as there is a boat going up to Smyrna to morrow but you must excuse the bad writing as I am sitting at a table with four of the other Midshipmen, and I am writing by candle light; I wrote to Mother at Smyrna where we only remained a day or two, for it is...
This cool day, so much like autumn, makes me feel that the time is approaching when we shall return to Washington. Mary & Septimia & myself will probably leave here about the middle of october; we shall meet Ellen & Willie in Fredricksburg & perhaps shall have one of Virginia’s...
Mr Coolidge was kind enough to give us frequent news of your health during the first week of your confinement & judging from his favorable accounts I hope you will soon be able to confirm his...