The Hunt, King, Taylor,
Fawks, Lancaster, Mitchell
and Harris Connection.

Midway Mississippi

“A Company of Young Men & Ladies Went There
& Danced Until Midnight.”
~ 1846 ~

Folded letter sheet, stampless.
Manuscript postmark:

Midway Miss

August 5
M/S:

10

Addressee:

Maria Ann Lancaster

Gallatin

Sumner Co

Tennessee

Letter:

Midway July 29th 1846

My Dear Sister

I do not know weather or not this letter will be acceptable to you but being very anxious to hear from you, I have determined to write once more and I do hope that I will not have to wait many more days or weeks before I have the exquisite pleasure of pleasure of reading a letter from you. I would have written before this but as you did not let me know where to direct my letters untill Mrs. Jordan returned and informed me where you where. I was very glad indeed that you had gone to Gallitin with your relations and hope you will write me soon & let me know how you found them all & also how you are pleased. Mrs Jordan reached home on friday last, very safe and much pleased with her trip. I was to see her on sunday being very anxious to hear from you, but she could not t ell me a great deal as you left Columbia some time before she did. Uncle Hal requested Dr. Jordan to write for you to come with his wife home, but since learning that you are in Gallatin I am very glad that you did not come for I know that you would not be satisfied here. I saw Uncle Macon & Uncle Hal yesterday and inquired what you were to do that I might might write, but they did not come to any final conclusion. Uncle Macon said he thought it best for you to stay in Gallatin a while or at least untill he could learn something more about those reports that are in circulation about the school. Mrs. Jordan says they are not true. Uncle Hal was anxious for you to continue at that school untill you completed your education but if you ever do graduate, I should like for it to be at school where it will be some honor to you. My opinion is that if you ever leave that school, your education is completed so far as going to school is concerned, for I think if you come back here you will have to stay, though I would not for the world have you go to a school that has had such things carried on in it as you mentioned. I shall see Uncle Hal soon & find out what you are to do in time to write you before the next cession begins. He has been speaking of writing to you soon but since he has been sick it tires him so much to write that he will not do it unless he is obliged to. I think you have not answered his last letter yet, if not do it soon for he almost angry with you for not writing, though he thinks perhaps the letters are suppressed by Smith as we have all written so many times without receiving an answer. Brother Alonzo was over last week & when he left, his last words were to write to me as soon as Mrs Jordan returns & tell all about Marria. I have not written yet but intend doing so in a few days. His horse threw him while he was over but I believe that he was not much hurt. I think he is not much pleased with his horse (Rankin) but this I expect he had told you before this. I do wish I could write you an interesting letter but it is out of my power as there is nothing worth writing. I was at a fish fry on last friday two miles above Madisonville which is fifteen miles from here where I enjoyed myself very much. We had a great many fish & as it was the first fish fry I have been to, it was quite a treat. I have an invitation to several but did not go to any of them on account of sickness. I have had the measles & two attacks of the fever this summer. During the first attack I feel off twelve pounds which made me look quite thin. I could have told you a good deal about the 4th of July but it has been so long that it would not be new to you. We had a celebration at Pearl River Academy. It rained all day & was one of the most disagreeable places I ever was at. Dana, the school master read the Declaration & Smith gave gave us a real war speech. Mr. Lafa Montgomery had just completed his new house and we made up a company of young men & ladies went there & danced until midnight. If if had not been Saturday night I expect they would have danced untill day. I saw Mag Love there, she inquired a great deal about you. Sent her love & says you must write. I think John Eubank was very much Smitten with her. Mrs Selina Eu [Eubank?] is to be married in a few weeks. Banks has been in Natchez for the last month or two learning to dance the Polka. Lizy Arrington I understand has come to Jackson to spend the summer. I suppose you know they have all moved to New Orleans. Lee is also in Jackson but does not flourish quite so big as he once has. Mrs. Were has moved in her fine house that has been building ever since she was married. I saw Sally about a month since, she was well at that time but I have since heard that she has been sick. I brought Sis home with me & kept her three weeks, she was much pleased. Beck is writing to you & we will put both our letters together to make one & I know you will not fail to answer this if you can ever read it but I am so warm that perspiration is about to blind me. You may look for another letter from me soon. Give my best love & wishes to all are relations & accept the same from Your Sister Mary

Yesterday after finishing this letter I had a chill which lasted about three hours. I was very sick all day but feel much better today.

Write Soon.