Augusta County: Martha L. Roadcap to Mary C. Baylor,
February 22, 1864
Summary:
Martha Roadcap apologizes to Mary Baylor for not writing sooner, but several of
her family members were suffering from diptheria. She also describes a fire in
her neighborhood that destroyed ten buildings. The letter also mentions both of
her sons, John and Charles McGuffin.
Feb 22/64 Monday evening
Dear Friend
I received your favor of the 11th
[unclear: inst] & now seat myself to answer first let me offer
an apology for my long delay I was prevented from writing sooner by sickness in
my family the children have had the diptheria James Samuel has been quite poorly
for better than a week indeed his recovery was thought very doubtful but is now
improving & two of our neighbors children have died with it & I
had to be in attendance there so you see I have not had much time for writing. I
got Johnnie one shirt knit & it took twelve cuts to knit it & it
weighed but half a pound when it was done so you may
know what I think of it when you only took three for yours. I was sorry indeed
to hear of your Grandmother's death give my love to your Mother & the
girls I wish you still to write to me when you hear from Charlie tell your Pa
[page 2]
the leather which I spoke of for him Mr. Roadcap has never come
across any suitable for a collar as he is busy working for the government - we
had a great fire in our neighborhood Mrs Sloans house caught fire on Sunday week
& from it Mrs. Bears house caught & some other buildings thereby
consuming some ten buildings, the fire originated from the black woman making on
too great a fire a sad disaster indeed you will have to excuse this short letter
as some company has come in & I will have to close by desiring you to
write very soon & often I remain
very affectionately your Friend,
Martha Roadcap
PS I received a letter from John Berry he says Charlie has answered safely & was well
