Harriet Hackley and Jane B. Cary Smith to Virginia Randolph Cary
| Norfolk May 2d 1828 |
I will make an attempt this morning to write a few lines in reply to my dear sisters affectionate letter; The contents of which interested me very much, for alas! I so seldom hear any tidings from you or yours that I have to depend on vague report for information relative to you—I had heard of Mary’s engagement tho’ I was ignorant whether Mr Fairfax was her cousin or not; I am rejoiced that you are so much pleased with him, & sincerely hope the union may be productive of happiness to all parties.
I understand either Jane or yourself rejected a Richmond gentleman of fortune some months ago, & have been told that you refused Mr Maxwell! is that possible?
Your communication respecting Wilson Miles gave me heart felt satisfaction; heaven guide the dear youth, & make him, all a fond mother can wish! My son is steady, & moral, but indolent, & business is so dull where he lives that it requires constant watchfulness, & great industry to find employment; I greatly fear he will be compell’d to leave Tallahassee. but Gods! will be done, I do my best to wait with patience, & thankfulness! My dear Lucia is well, & happy she has commenced house keeping in a log cabin with one room & a loft, & appears content, she says many of her neighbours are no better off—her furniture consists of a bed, a few chairs, & a pine table. Dr Willis is I hear an excellent young man, & has a prospect of a good practice, he has a few negroes, & a lot or two in Tallahassee, but depends on his own exertions for making a fortune—my child is industrious & prudent, so that I hope they may do well. Poor Robert is much better in health, & can sit up, & drive himself about in a carry all; but he cannot stand, & I greatly fear he never will walk again! he has a charming wife, & a fine healthy little girl, they all write the most extravagant praises of Miss Harriet Randolph—my dear child will become a mother some time this summer (as soon as she can I presume) Mary says she has lost no time.
My husband is still in New York, he spent a week with us this spring but was compell’d to return, he has been so far successful as to have the means of paying his debts this summer, & will have enough left to settle a farm, & perhaps more; he intends go to Florida as soon as he can finish the business he is engaged in, but I do not go untill there is a house to receive me! tho’ my anxiety to see my children is great as it can be I am resolved not to give up a certain maintenance trusting to contingencies, but will struggle on God! willing untill I see a certainty of independence before me.
pray come down & bring the girls if you stay only a few days with us, it will be a balm to my heart, & I am sure we could make you all comfortable, Harriet unites with me in begging you to come, Norfolk is a quiet place, & I think you would like it better than Richmond. Mrs Cocke & her brother were here yesterday, he goes away in a few days, but she ta[lk]s of stay[ing] some-what longer.
Lucy Harrison left us this morning, she is a sweet charming girl!
My little Martha Jeff. thanks you for your kind remembrance, she is a fine child, & a miniature of Lucia except her fair skin & blue eyes, her eyes are dark & I think inclin’d to grey tho’ the long eye lashes will always make them pretty.
We have been expecting Jefferson to bring his mother & sisters this rout, but I fear it is a vain hope, the time has pass’d & I am sorely grieved.
You say nothing of your younger children, who are strangers to me, yet I feel much interested in them. Jane Taylor is well tho’ very thin, Mr T. talks of Florida, & I wish he may be able to go. My household unite in love to you & yours,
PS Philip Cocke his received a warrant for West Point, which he will be obliged to accept poor fellow! I fear he has not [. . .] stamina enough for a soldiers life—he will be down immediately I believe.
I was relieved beyond expression my dear mother when William arrived late last night with the unexpected intelligence that my uncle was better; your account of our dear friends gives me the most heartfelt pleasure—all things are just as when you left us, the Bremo family have been just as kind as they could be, we were there last evening & tomorrow Nanny is to spen[d] the day with us. To day Mrs Holeman is to send for [. . .] Mrs C. the Genl & Louisiana are to be at Bremo [. . .] time next week, give our affectate love to all