27 August 1863: “We left them in trouble on account Henrietta’s eldest child having diptheria”

Item description:  Letter, dated 27 August 1863, from Jane Gibert Pettigru North to her daughter, Jane Caroline “Carey” North Pettigrew.  In the letter, she discusses the lives and health of friends and family members, as well as her recent experience visiting springs.

[transcription available below images]

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Item citation: From folder 265 of the Pettigrew Family Papers, Southern Hsitorical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Item transcription:

Glenns Springs August 27th 1863

My Dearest Carey,

Yours of the 17th I got this morning, as as you are better in health and strength I can entirely content that you do not come, indeed it is almost too late now – your letter was detained here in old Andersons desk, & as he was not here yester-day when we arrived I did not get it till this morning.  I got one from Louise of the 18th saying you & Anna Porcher would join me, that letter was forwarded to Cedar Springs & one from Minnie of the 12th both more than a week old when I got them.

I wrote you while at Cedar Springs & told you that the cold bath then did me good.  I am persuaded it did me more good than the water here – and we will go back on Monday so as to take one or two plunges and leave there Thursday morning at 11 and if things go well be at home that same evening.  I hope Louise will have the for me at New Market at 2 o’clock Thursday 3 Sept.

I can say now that I am better – and I think with great care in diet I may escape a long siege of ill heath.  I am truly thankful to hear that you are better and that Easter’s good man-agement of the cows has had so con-siderable a share in so desirable an end – “the children too are well” – I am thankful too that Charles Louis is over the cold you spoke of in your former letter, and I was proud to hear of his feats of agility and horsemanship.  make my love to all of them and say how pleased I shall be when I can see them again.  The Tennents did some & ask for us here after all left – and proceeded to Mrs. Kennedy’s where they staid a week & there started for Anderson.  this we learned from a note from Mrs. Collins to Harriette two days ago.

Harriette has been as kind and considerate of me as it is as possible for any one to be, and all the family were entirely considerate. We left them in trouble on account Henrietta’s eldest child having diptheria, it is just such a case as dear Janey’s was last year – neither Dr. Frost nor Geddings at home they are very anxious – have called Dr. Ken-nedy from Spartanburg village who seems a skillful & very kind physician – it is very distressing  – so many children in the house liable to it.  The troubled the grand-mama very much.

We find much of the [?] here that are left, and Mrs. [?] & Mrs. Eggleston & Miss Boyce [are gone?] – and we miss them.  Mrs Bacon & her daughter Mrs. Wigfale are here, & from then I have heard all the particulars of the death of Mrs. Butler & poor [Emmala?] it is really a sad tragic story – the old lady has the [garrulity] of age upon her but her stories are interesting.  I am truly glad to hear that Charles is at home again and by this time you have seen William I suppose.  I regret that I should not be there to receive him, but hope he will like us well enough to repeat his visit.

Aunt [Marnie?] send her love & says “your determination is like yourself.”  She will let Charles go to you later – he is full of the notion of pen & play and driving goats.  Harriette is quite the [courtesy?], & Tom a sweet spoiled child – he like our [?] does well know a letter in the book, but he has more life then Tom – he cries easily wh I con-tinually rate at – children should be permitted to roar out for every trifle.

Do you not feel for Mrs Ravenel to lose that fine youth William – I am very anxious on Ann’s account to get home.

My love to Charles – I hope a good crop of turnips are in.  I have some sees from cousin Lucy to put in when I get home.  Thanks for your kind wishes dear – I thought of my dear Brother on that day and his u-niform kindness & good wishes.  I embrace you & Mary & am ever your Mamma – JGN

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