Letter to Thomas T. Sloan from Bridget Sloan, February 10, 1836

Lexington Feb. 10th 1836

My dear boy I have received yours of Jan 7th it was long looked for, I think I never was as long from hearing from you. Since I set me down to write I was startled from my seat by the sound of the ded march of the drum and fife. I have been to the doore to learn who it is, and low and behold it is your old past George Young poor Soul I felt like droping a tear as fact I was choaked something raised in my throat. A train of ideas instantly rushed in my mind. You was once associated with him, time gon by, you was then at home a youth as well as he. Your oppertunitys no be ther then his with the exception of connections You are making yourself useful to your contery an ornement to society and the pride of your family. and he has has brought himself to an untimely grave by drunkenness and escorted to his last home by a few not better then himself except the { ?}. Hear I sit me down one weeke after I wrote above to finish this letter. I was then suffering very much with the tooth--or a pain in my jaw, it was so accute that I was compeled to through a side my pen. I tuck calomel and went to bed. But I was not allowed to lay but a few hours, as Mag sent for me to go to her-as she was very sick. Precisely at six the next morning she gave birth to a nother daughter. She is now rich in that line. She has now three dear little babes. The last in like Josepine, who is loveliness its self. It will be a happy day to me, when I can present her to you. She is dear, very dear to me. She comes next to my boyes in the affitions of my deepest hearts core. Previous to Maganettas confinement your Grand Mamma and Aunt Fanny was taken very ill loath at t he same time. For ten days we had little hopes of Mothers life. I underwent so much fatigue and loss of sleepe at the time, that I was very much indisposed for two weekes, Fanny is well.

but mother recovers slowly. I saw your Uncle this afernoon he told me that he received a letter from you yesterday, and that he answered it last night. He tells me that you wish to go to Florado, it it is the will of God, be it so. I bow to his divine decree but I pray he will suppprt me under my cross, and shield you from danger. Mag says why do you not notice her long letter she wrote to you two month since. She sends her love to you. Mary Jane left me this afternoon. She is low in spirits, at this time, her beau will leave her in a few days for the lower contery to seek his fortune. She says she is determind to write to you in about two weeks and surprise you with a long letter. She has changed very much since you saw her, she has a good heart-I say it from experiance, she has been kind very kind to me. Give my respects to your friend Mrs. Hall. I should be peased to have a personal acquaintnance with her. how do you like her or her daughters? I was very much surprised to get a letter from such a sorce, but it was very agreeable. You cannot think what an interest I feel for he I should like to hear from her often and hear of her happiness. Our merchents are all going on now for good, I expect you will see some of them. All that do see myself are looking for our gifts. I shall prise mine very much. I have told Mr McMahon, who request me to send his respects to you the first time I wrote Robert speaks of going to some new contery I think he will do well for it will keepe him poore all his life to keepe up in this place or to keepe in sight. He and Elizabeth sends their love and says before this month is out you will be Uncle Theodore will it not sound odd? I cannot realize it. I will never allow it to call me grand mama, no, no.

I fear this letter will not afford you much pleasure or information as I feel dull to night and I cannot think of an idea that would be pleasing to you. Let me see--who should I speak of , the Bradford family? well, the old man you know, is now editor of the Gazette, and City clerk. But poore man he can scerce make one year meat the other He is almost blind from some disease in the eyes, his wife dose almoste all his reading. he has still a large frame by Caroline and Matilda are allmoste younge ladys they will be much prityer then Helen. William is doing very well, he is inployed on the rale roade. Leland Brady is at the south speculating in land. I am told he is geting rich. Their is a spirit existing in Kentucky at this time for going to the south, some trading in land. some at the mercantile line others peading law, rasing cotton or sugar.----I fear you can scarce read this my eyes are so sour I can not see well what I write. Do I pray you write soon and often for your letter are one of my greatest luxurys in life. I will write as soon as--in a few days. God bless you. B. Sloan

Lieut. Thomas T. Sloan U. S. Marine Corps New York City