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Stephens Papers, Emory

A.H. Stephens to John A. Stephens

Liberty Hall
Crawfordville Ga.
16 April 1873

Dear John:
I am not at Hancock Court as I expected to be this week. Eliza is in a bad
condition. Harry cannot leave home, or I could not ask him to do so while Eliza
is in the condition she now is and I could not leave without his going with me.
Billy has gone over. In consequence of Eliza condition I have been compelled to
disband my law class. My household, kitchen larder & smoke house affairs could
not be carried on upon its basis of half dozen boarders without Elizas supervision.
She was the main spoke in that wheel. The family that is the white family is now
in Billys temporary absence reduced to the Parson and myself. Everything has a lonely
and sombre appearance about the premises compared with the life compared with the
and jovial hilarity exhibited a short time ago.

The most disagreeable part of the whole matter is the cause of Elizas condition.
It is really nothing but mental distress from her apprehensions that Dora is pregnant.
These apprehensions I think from all I can ascertain are from very slight circumstances.
Still it may be so. The very idea has completely overwhelmed her physically as well
as mentally. She is confined to her bed and grieves more bitterly than if her
daughter was dead. This latter items is all for yourself only. I will keep you
informed as to the further progress of events. Dr. Beasley reports to me his opinion
that Elizas fears apprehensions are not well founded. He can discover no certain
evidences of the fact as yet. Still it may be so. This opinion he has given Eliza
which has releived her to some extent - though not fully by any means.

Your truly
Alexander H. Stephens