Henrietta Webb Letters

Stony Point: Oct. 5th 1858.

My own and very dear sister,

What a pleasure it would be to me to write to you tonight, if I could just say the word that would induce you to partake freely and cheerfully of [this?] food which our kind and merciful Father has provided for the sustenance of our perishing bodies. It is true we are sinners and if with-holding food from us would make us better, would he not with-hold it? Most assuredly he would. He says Himself in the person of his "son" not that which goeth into the man, defileth him; or in other words, showeth whether or not he is righteous; but that which [proceeds?] from the heart. These things that come from the heart, show man's true condition; and it is at the heart God looks. Now my sister, what comes from your heart today? A desire to to do right - or a desire to do wrong? I think I hear you say, "Oh, Sue, I want to do right; you know I do." Well, my sister, do right; eat the bread that perisheth to sustain life, so long as your heavenly Father is pleased for you to live. [?] guilty of suicide. The bread of [?] [likewise?] abundantly provided, eat of this and thy soul shall live also. One body has been sacrificed for your sins and this is sufficient. God don't require another. He says, listen, now don't forget it, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice. That is, he will have you to be merciful to your body and not sacrifice it. In God's providence you have been placed and the care of physicians for

the restoration of your health and I want you to feel it your duty to take their advice. I am sure they will not require you to do [wickedly] Ma tells you she is poorly. She walked to church Sabbath night - I was taken sick before she got home. I think the unpleasant feeling remaining about the head is from the [Laudinum?] she took to relieve the colic. If she can hear you are eating and growing strong she will recover faster. We were glad to learn from Dr Fisher's letter of today, he had returned to his post. I know you were glad to see him. So avail yourself of every opportunity of [?] in joining his family circle when he is present to [?] the pleasant incidents of his sojourn among the [springs?] and mountains of [?] I don't think because other patients can't have this privilege, you must deny yourself of it. Mrs Fisher and Miss [Nannie?] assured me they would be pleased to have you associate with them freely for your good and because it was a pleasure to them to have you with them some times. Miss [Nannie?] wrote me last week you had almost ceased to visit them and she regretted it. I love Miss [Nannie?] and you must go to see her occasionally for my sake. I saw Miss [?] at prayer meeting and [Dr. Long's?] last [?] evening. She said "give her love to Etta and tell her she hoped to meet her agian some day. I have some things to send you as soon as I can get them to the depot. If there is any thing you need particularly, write immediately and let us know. Remember me kindly to all my friends. I write in haste tonight.

Very affectionately and sincerely, I am your loving sister, S A Webb

Bull's Run 23 Reg. N.C. 7

Dec. 12, 1861

Dear Sawney Your kind favour [writes?] his _____ cause duly to hard. I knew you would have a pleasant trip home. I was sorry ___ was so long getting there. I recieved a lettter from Ma this week. Bro James and sis Susan had gone to Raleigh to see Sister Etta. We have no news here. Our [girls?] still say they are expecting a little ___ and are still [interesting?] fortifications. This finally were ascertained no have to refund the winter here, and for [all new buildings in give too?] I have seen ___ _____ for the [lach?] walk. ______ to do [dearly? duty?] --

Remember poor Gaston in your prayers, they are now expecting an attack at Wilmington I am glad he has a praying Captain

Tomorrow is your birth day my dear and I pray you may have renewal of grace and wisdom given you from above to preach the gospel in its light and purity.

Susan is at school and Laura has gone down to brother S____, Ellen is not well We don't hear much from dear Etta, Mrs Fisher wrote two weeks ago said she was as well as usual. A letter from Alexa and Sa____ each this week they were well. I did not receive either of his boxes. Do you write to them? I want you to go and see Ade and Betty as often as you can I think Ade must need some thick shoes. If you need anything from home get on your horse and come we will be so glad to see you. Your Brother James, John, and Sam went fishing with nets yesterday evening but did not succeed in netting any fish. Sidney went to Charlot last week and bought a few goods. Mary is still sick not able to do any work since you left. May Heavens richest [Helping?] be around you my dear son is the sincere prayer of your mother.

Mary sends love to you.

The Register is [?] paper & I have to send it to him, or I would send it to you sometimes. Did you get two papers I sent you not long since? Bro. [?] went to Charlotte last week & brought back his stock of goods, molasses & sugar [?] in his [?] We heard from Sister Saturday - She scribbled over 3 pages of a large sheet of letter paper & there was but one finished sentence in the whole. This indicates no mental im provement. Mrs. Fisher wrote a few things. She said Sister's health had been pretty good since I was there in Dec & she was quite [?] for her. She seems pretty well for her this week. She is always in more of [?] trouble about something. Two of our [?] took a [?] leave of us Sunday. Our boarders had been rather unmerciful in [?] a [?]; by some means, Mr. B heard of it - & to ignite them [?] [?] own [?] blocked 6 of them at his study Friday evening [?] while a [?] among the rest of Rob[?] & [?] L to spite themselveves, left. Mane Ann is still poorly - not able to do any thing. The rest of us are good. I have 6 pupils this week; so you see my responsibilities are multiplying. Bettie [?] is in Asheboro spending some weeks with Line. Our neighborhood is very quiet now. The ladies have all been bloackaded at home for some weeks past by the mud but if the sun shine & wind, we have today, continue, the blockade will soon be rased.

Wednesday after noon. At Home: Uncle S[?] has just left here. He [?] Laura home with him. The sick ones at his house are better. Adeline's babe died. John Snipes is up on a visit to his wife. Ricky [?] Stanford was in Person[?] last week when brother was down, still unable to return to his Reg. Bro. says he don't take any care of himself. [?] Mrs. enjoys good health in the army. She is some where near Savannah. Ann sends a great deal of love and says she had a letter in store for you, but hasn't had time to put it on paper. She is glad to find I am writing. Sam's [?] now are two minnows he has had in a pitcher of water for more than a week. She feeds them & says he believes they grow. He has a diminutive net he sinks in the kitchen every few days to see if the fish can still go this [?] meshes. This is the way he measures them to ascertain whether or not they grow. I was at Salem last Sab. Mr. [?] preached from "Preach the word; be instant in season & out of season; Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering & [?] Your name was called in C[?] meeting. How I wished you were there to answer to it. May we meet in Heaven, prays, your fond sister. SAW.