Franklin County: E. to Edward McPherson, August 11,
1859
Summary:
E. tells Edward that Lizzie is sick, that Dr. Ross died, and that Nannie and Mr.
Page plan to move to Louisiana. She also mentions the departure of Mr. Van Wycke
and the changes in Gettysburg.
Aug 11th. 1859
Frederick
My Dear Edwd.
I have been wanting to write to you for some time, but until I received your
letter yesterday, was entirely ignorant of your whereabouts -- knowing you were
absent from Gettysburg, I took it for granted, you would write from whatever
place you remained, for any length of time, so waited from day to day, to learn
where you were & what about. We rejoice to hear that you feel much
improved in health, but sorry, you still postpone your visit to us. I wrote to
E. Mchaffey immediately after getting her letter, in hopes, she would write to
me again, especially while you were away. We hope Lizzie's sickness is not of a
serious character. I should think she would feel Dr. Alexander's death very
deeply, for
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several reasons, for in him she has lost a friend who
took a very deep interest in her. His loss to our Church especially, can
scarcely be estimated & I know not how his place, to his immediate
charge, can ever be supplied. Yet, all things are possible to Him, who loves his
church infinitely more than we can do, & I trust he will qualify some one for that important post. I suppose Mr. Van
Wycke has left Gettysburg by this time-- Have you anyone in view? We enjoyed
Kate's little visit to us very much, & regret she could not remain
longer with us. On leaving, she promised to write in a few days & let us
hear if she reached home safely, but not a line have we had from her. About two
weeks ago, we were agreeably surprised by Mr Tyler's return home, for the
remainder of the summer. Lizzie & her little boy who had not been well
came with him -- they will leave in a few days. The house, we expect will not be
ready for us before Nov. so we shall not leave
this before that, I suppose. This is the first summer I have been at home
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for many years- & now, that Mr Tyler is at home, I am very
anxious to go to Thorndale towards the last of this month or first of next, but
the old difficulty, of a way to get there, is always present, so, it will
probably not be accomplished. Nannie & Mr Page are still here, but
really expect to go to Munroe, Louisiana the middle of next month, where Mr. P-
expects to take charge of a school, with many flattering inducements. It will be
quite an undertaking with a young child, but any
thing is better than a state of absolute dependence. The family are well.
If I should ever see Gettysburg again it will be quite a new place to me. But
there are many & sad changes every where,
even here, it is very striking. It would have gratified me much to have seen the
Children once more. How is Mr Wallace now? We did hope E- & Mr Mchaffey
would have paid us a visit before they went to Old Point & wrote to urge
it, but never heard afterwards.
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I hope we will be in Georgetown,
ready to receive you, when you get there. Mittie & Mr Cassin are there
now on a visit, but will soon return to Chicago. I hope you will excuse this
dull letter-- I am not well this morning & it is very warm. Let us hear
from you soon again. I shall be very glad to have your lecture. All join me in
much love to you. What is Tresy going to do when you leave! Remember me to her.
Also to all friends.
Yours ever affect
E
