Finding Aid to the Letter from Sister to Sister

JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VA 24501
(434) 846-0501
LETTER FROM "SISTER" TO "SISTER"
A letter written 2 April 1875 from "sister" to "sister" concerning family news. The
writer's first name may have been Beck; her sister may have been Fannie. They do have
a sister named Emma, who is mentioned as having lost a baby.

MS1490

April 2nd 1875
My Dear Sister,
Your kind sweet letter of the 28th [?] [
] was gladly received. I had been looking
for one of your dear letters for some time and we had been so anxious to hear from sister
Emma and now we are much grieved to hear that her little babe is lost. We had so often
spoken of [
] Bro. Tommie would be fondling [a?] little child of his own. And Sister
Emma I know after 9 months of pain would have been repaid for it all in the enjoyment
of her sweet little babe. Do write me from Sister & tell me all about it, just like you were
talking to me. What a terrible time sister Emma must have had. What was the little
babe? Was it dead before birth? Do write very soon & tell the particulars. How does
Bro. Tommie take the loss? Jonnie really seems distressed for him, he remembers how
anxious that our first child should be alive & he sympathises deeply with Bro. Tommie.
And I do with them both -- We did not know that Bro. George had gone north. I know
you are anxious for his safe return which I hope will be very soon.
Sister I do wish you could make a visit. Can't you come? Just as soon as your old
man gets rested from his trip. Make an effort to come if you could stand the fatigue,
which could not be much . I think the rest from the busy town life would perhaps be
beneficial to you. I do wish you would try it. I want to see you dreadfully, nearly 12
months since I saw you. I reckon Lilly is a great big girl. Tell her she must come up to
see Aunt Beck where there is an abundance of pure mountain air & she can play all day.
Charlie grows very fast and is a great help to me. Our precious little daughter grows too
very fast, and talks with much sense. I know Aunt Fannie would love her, she has been a
good child all her life, but she is so much petted I am afraid she will be spoilt. Jonnie
makes her say & do all sorts of funny things.
I had a note this week from Mrs. JONES, she says her little babe grows & improves
very much but has the colic every day. Fanny SHANK seemed to be improving. I was
down to see them not long ago. Mrs. S. & Miss Bettie both look very much worsted from
the fatigue of nursing Fanny. Mrs. JONES little babe is a sweet looking fine little girl. I
so often wish they were nearer me.
My health is very good, but I am right lean, as Mary Lizzie depends upon me most
altogather [sic]. I have not weaned her yet don't know how to begin about it but certainly
must this month. No sister there is nothing to say with me. I am happy to say I am as free
as any body. You see I am just learning to behave myself. I expect my haveing [sic]
the tooth ache last winter gave rise to what you heard but it was only cold I had taken and
nothing more. I hope Mary Lizzie will be my baby for some time to come. I love little
babies better than anything, but them getting here is the mischief.
And Mrs. PITMAN is going to board. I hope she will not go very far from you. I
would love so much to see you all. I hope Sister Emma may continue to do well & soon
be entirely well. I love them as a Bro. & Sister & feel interested in their well being. I
had heard through some of her friends what a still life she was liveing [sic] not taking any
MS1490

exercise & I expected she would fare badly at confinement, but hoped for the life of the
little babe as well as her own.
Please write me as soon as you can how Sister E is. I do wish I could get one of your
dear letters each week.
Mrs. ELLIOTT intended comeing [sic] to see me this week, but for the bad weather.
The clover machine has just moved to Mr. ELLIOTTs.
Much love to your dear self & the children from us all. I expect Jonnie will be down
to see you all & on business in a week or too. He is very well, and busy.
Affectionately,
Your Sister

MS1490

IMPLIED RELATIONSHIPS

Beck [ ]--------|------Jonnie [ ]
[writer of letter?] | (will visit on business)
|
Charlie [ ]
Mary Lizzie [ ]

Emma [

] -|- Tommie [

] | (lost a child)

"Sister"---------|--------George [ ] ["Aunt Fannie"?] |
|
|
Lilly [ ]
(Children)
Mrs. SHANK
|||
Fanny SHANK (to board)

Mr. ELLIOTT----Mrs. ELLIOTT
Bettie [SHANK?]

Mrs. PITMAN

MS1490