Augusta County: John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch to
Hester J. Nadenbousch, January 27, 1864
Summary:
Nadenbousch assures his wife he is not crazy, and promises to stop requesting
anything besides the presence of his family. He reports that the hotel is open.
He also discusses financial issues and sends messages to his children.
January 27/64
Dear Hester
Having an opportunity I again write you but have not much to say I am well in health but my afflictions bother me considerable, but do as well as can expect
I received your reply to my request to purchase some articles &c but am not in the condition you think (Crazy) but if should be so unfortunate I have the Asylum close at hand and will try & take advantage of its convenience
We have the house open at last. we have a fine sum of travelling customs house full every night keep it in good order receipts $1000 00 per day everything going on smooth. We have all things fixed in running order need some linnens blankets comforts & groceries such as coffee & tea But I shall not ask you to send me anything more except a few articles I need at once viz a young lady of about 36 years old slender light hair fair complexion & blue eyes & 4 little [unclear: flax] head fellows one boy & three girls I desire these goods & chattels sent through to me at once with their clothes & bedding
If I had you all here with me I would be much better satisfied & think
you would be too we get plenty of supplies but at quite high prices rates $15 pr
day Can't you manage some way to move out if it [deleted: the] be at the risk of our property no matter I think we can
make something here but if come bring all
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kinds of clothing you may
need as it is scarce & high just here I think I will be out of the
service between this & spring & can be with you constantly My
impression is that we will do a good business here now I am anxious to make some
money here as we have lost so much since the war Porters brother-in-law wants the Porter property. I think
I will let him have it it has not been paid for & he can take it at
$900
00
lift the notes & pay you the ballance if I do conclude to let him
have it I will make deed here & you can acknowledge it there before Notary
public but do nothing in the matter unless I give him the papers.
I have much to say to you but cannot say it on paper but hope soon to see you. I have just got 2 Shirts 1 per shoes 2 per socks & 1 per drawers which will be a great benefit to me now
If I only could have gotten some collars I would have been glad. Do try & write me fully all about private matters I am so anxious to hear from you tell me how the little fellows get along and all domestic matters. I learn the mill has been released
from what I learn John must be about frightened to death He seems quite anxious
about the property &c just say to him he need not fear about any money I
may owe him. if all we have there is lost I hope still to have enough here to
pay him & all I owe
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any person & then keep my family
well These chicken hearted people won't do. These times persons must have nerve
I hope that all these croakers will in the end be disappointed They seem to deprecate my position losses risks &c &c but I hope to come out right in the end You keep perfectly calm don't grieve or be concerned about property. This is but dross. My greatest ambition now is to be with you all I have written to you so often on this subject that I have but little else to add but hope it will not be long until we meet
Do the best you can with the property whilst there & if leave put it in the hands of some good person
Freddy I hope you are a good boy & attending to businiess for ma going to school & taking care of your little sisters. don't run about with bad boys nor ride strange horses this is dangerous you keep close about home and be a good boy
Sissy, Lila & Jinnie you be good girls obey your ma stay about home & attend school help your ma all you can
My love to Miss Jane Kiss her for me tell her I will pay her back when I see her
Remember me to Moses, Henry, Mary H Aunt & Uncle Aunt P- & Lute & all others
Yours ever
write
