Letter to Thomas T. Sloan from Bridget Sloan, 1834

Lexington 24th 1834

My dear son

Your letter of April 28th I have received some time since. You must of received one from me about the same time. I have thought I would not write to you untill you would write me, but I have become impatien to hear from you that I have set me down to communicate that you have a Mother who is ever anxious to hear from you and has the greatest solisitude for your happiness. How is your health now, have you got rid of the ague and fever? I fear you are sick that you do not write. I have not been in good health since March I am much poorer than you ever saw me perhaps. I never have been the same in point of health since March a year. Your brother is well and reasonably happy, and he hopes to be, in a few months, the happiest boy living. His Dulceny is still true to him, and has promised she will this fall give him her hand for better or worse. Dose it not sound strange to you? He was but a childe when you lefte home. You cannot think how unhappy it made me at first, I was retched; but upon reflection I found my sons peace of mind and contentment of life depended on it. As soon as I assertained this fact, I became perfectly

reconciled. The happiness of my two boys, is the first wish of my heart, and I hope yet (before I take my flite to the world of spirits) to see you and him married to please your selves, and fill the situation of husband with dignity and love. I think you would be pleased with Roberts lady love, She is very much admired and courtd. If he was not my son, I would wonder how he got on her blind side.

I am induced to think Theodore that you are in love with some individual of this City, but who, I cannot form an idea. Why do you not unbosom yourself to me, perhaps you think because you say she is poore, that I would not be peased -- can it be possible my son, you have so contemptable an opinion of me, no I -will not think it. It is where religion and virtue dwells that I am ambitious that my children should form a connection of that kind.

Speaking of love and marriage reminds me to tell you that we had a wedding in our family on sunday weeke. Betsy marryed to a black man called Washington. They ceremony was performed at eight in the morning. The bridle party was booted and bonneted, so soon as the refreshments had passed around which took place imediently after the ceremony, they steped in carriages and went nine miles in the contery.

Mr Loughborough called to see me a few days since. I was pleased to see him as we could talk of you

I cannot express to you my feelings when I received your picture, I was taken intirely on surprise when Robert brought it home he concealed it untill he passed to my room, he fit it on the mantlepeace and called me in, I recognised you instantly, the expression of the eyes and mouth in particular is your own, all who know you say it is a good likeness, but I have a slight objection to it, it apears to represent you to have a double chinn and some broader across the shoulders. Robert has had it set in a handson [handsome] gilt frame and I heave [have] you hung in the Drawing roome. Josephine will pint at it, and say, du cosin Fedo.

I must close as Mr McMacon is waiting for my letter to put it in the office, Write to me soon, I should be so glad to hear from you. tell me all. The girls sends you their love and best wishes

Your affetionate mother Bridget Sloan

Toby is well

[postfrank Lexington KY. JUN 26]

Mr Thomas T. Sloan Washington City