Letter to Thomas T. Sloan from Bridget Sloan, October 19, 1847

Lexington Oct. 19th 1847 My dear son About three weeks since I received your two packedges containing fifteen sheets to me and one sheete in the form of a letter to your brother who was then sick in bed, he has been confined hom for two months. He is now better and I hope he will not relaps. He rode in his buggy to town to day. The last of June he and Mary went to Missouri they returned the first of Aug. the next day was the first day of our election, he preformed his duty at the pole each day, but the next he was taken to his bed. He was taken with a chill, the Doct. was of the opinion it was a congestive chill, but it turned out to be the ague and fever. I think he will have no more as we have had frost last week and he has been improving in health ever since. When he was thought very ill Elizabeth was very sick also, we had to sepperate them, give each a room. Then I was unhappy you know She is well. My health is I think better then it has been for some years. I hope you got my letter with Marys which informed you of my ilness last winter. I then thought I should never see you again, at the same time I rather hear that you have to go to the Meditranean than come home as I fear you would go to Mexico. The children are all on tiptoe under the belief that you will be here this fall-Theodora just sayed to Magaret that she wished uncle Dore would come as she wanted to see what you looked like Mary is improving fast at school. She plays surprisenly

on the piano. Her ambition is to play well by the time you come You will find them all very much grown particularly Liz. Paulina is the talest of the lost. Anna is much the finest and most helthy of all Bob's children, and would be the prettyest if it was not for her misfortune. She is yet the youngest and so like to be. The name of Hickey and Sloan will both become extinct it appears. Well it is not my fault for I have given my country two fine boys have I not? well shall not I ever be proud of them. Magaretters are well and appear well, to affect which Mag. will work herself to death. Josephine is I fear grown, she is yet too low and becoming fat but well shaped and has a exquisit face, dresses with tast dances well sprightly in conversation and has very qualification to actract the boys. She has many admirers. I think her and young Broadwell is ingaged at this time. He has quit colledge, but she is going to school yet. This youth is a brother to Doct Broadwell Laura will make a taler woman and will be pretty too but not so amiable. I should not be surprised at any moment to hear of Christys droping dead he is such a perfect bloat. Mr Frost and Mary Jane made us a visit last May, Sallys daughter come and went with them, she is quite an interesting girl and will make just such a woman as her mother. John Ray graduated in August at St. Josephs Colledge, he then made us a visit. I fear very much he will be a sorce of great sorrow to his parents, because he appears to love a drop too well Frost is determined to get Mary Janes money in his hand, she desires it also Robert intends placing it in the hands of the Court next March as he is not disposed to give it to Frost, but he can get it any how. We ll let it for go it will, certain. Mary J is in very bad health she cannot live long, and she says she prefers

her husband to have his money to her sisters. Bob was at Doct. Humphreys's when he was in Missouri they are all well James will go to St. Louis this winter to read physic. Thomas wants to go to Mexico but he has not got the consent of his parents. Sarah is a beautiful young lady. David is still with us assisting Bob. he is taking a dead set to one of Combes daughters--Mrs Bell. The two eldest is married. One to Mr Mitchel and the other you know to who since I think of it. Thomas Redd is devoted to the girls, He would like still to mar ry Mrs Menifee. The society of Lexington is changed much since your time. I know but little of the present generation that has just entered on the stage of action. I think if Bob could get full value for his propety he would sell and seak another house, but not in Missouri I till you The sheriffing is not as good as it has been, and he has an expensive family and of course as the children grow up it will be more so My privet opinion and feelings is in favour of his seaking some more lucrative situation. Roberts politics is not popular here nor is the Religen of his family so. As far as I am concerned I disregard much things, but I do prefer seeing his wife and daughters in more refined Catholic society. Bob left all the folks well in Bornville Mary Redwood is the mother of three children a son and two daughters I saw the eldest girl. She is not like her mother. I think you ask me the question. Its name is Elizabeth--Mr Ingrim is living in Cape-gerado. I expect this to find you in America therefor I say nothing of your friend Reynolds. If posible do spend your Christmas with us Oh how delighted will we be, the children will go frantic with joy. They are making great calculation on the happy event. Mary expect to play for you Paulina says she will dance Liz says she will get money to buy candy and a hammoc Dora wants to see the quilt, and I want to see my table. Bob and Elizabeth send love to you and the children kissess

Miss Margarett, she will quit praying for you I asked her why? She says because he dose not say "how do you"--in his letters. I wish you could hear Dora say- "I pray God to bless my uncle Dore and spare him from a suden and unprovided death." May the Lord bless you send you to our arms in safety your affectionate mother, B Sloan

Rany is alive and well

Lieut Thomas Theodore Sloan U. S. Marine Corps [?] U States