folder 11: January–May 1852

Wednesday 28th (Jan. 1852?)

My own dear precious child I had hoped to have something of the Welaka from old Frisin today. I wrote yesterday a request that he would question the men who landed the mail from the Gaston. But I received no message from the heartless old man this morning. God! grant no accident befell you my darlings- that you are safe once more on land. I know if kindness can make your visit pleasant you will get enough of that from our dear noble minded Ira. Oh! my Tootee I suffered agony when I saw you get on the deck of the Welaka. I could not stand on the landing to see you again blown up. I rushed into the house fell on my knees to entreat for you the mercy of God! directly I heard like a heavy fall did I not shriek & again rush out but it was only those magnolia boards you walked to the boat on thrown down - I then saw that the wheel house had had the boards torn off. I had not noticed this before. The boat seemed as if she could not go a head - & she leaned so badly on one side. I watched you until I could no longer see the boat & then with a sorrowful heart returned home. I shall be miserable until I hear from you my dear child. I could not be so selfish as to try & persuade you to give up going to Savannah. It would have been unkind to that brave girl who thought only of you - when she risked her own life to come to you. Kiss her for me Tootee & tell her I thought I loved her when she & dear Pheme left me in October - but this last act of her love for you has made her doubly dear to me. I was right in thinking I had letters from California. The Capt of the Welaka ought to be dry shaved for carrying on the mail bag. I cannot resist sending two letters one from dear Butler the other from dear Lordy to you. I think Master Butler has been taking some new lessons in impudence. I had a long letter from that dear good son - quite a long letter from your dear Father & one from Lordy — By this days mail I received only one letter from No 15 — dated the 16th at that time the girls were quite happy. Mr. Bourkes kindness had relieved them of all uneasiness about your safety. They seem to have no idea (as you were

saved / that I could suffered otherwise. My letter from No 15 was from Georgia & Appy. They send thousands of love to you. I received also today a kind letter from Mr Bourke & Mrs Mautheri. Thank them both for me I will do so myself as soon as I can find time. Dear Lordy I hope has in this received my letters & eased of his great distress. You must not think of returning in that "Melata". But God! can & I trust will protect you let you come in what boat you may. Do not hurry back on account of your little treasures - the Frasers - or myself. The little ones are well & cheerful & give me no trouble. The two nights I have had them they have slept well Bell still shows signs of cold, but not so bad as when you left them. Willie talks much of the "double barrel" gun his papa is to bring for him & says I must tell his "pa" that he "always begs pardon when he knocks or hurts any body." JBob told me yesterday morning as soon as her eyes were open " Musser I did dream my pa was come back" She says you must bring her a doll "with white face blue mouth yellow eyes & red hair." She has a queer taste. These two little ones sleep with me. Tip has the small bed & Floyd has taken to his own room. poor boy he has a very bad cold. I tried to begin their school yesterday - we have blundered over these two days. I hope next week to do better. I believe the boat did not go for the Frasers until this morning. I can give them a welcome as long as they may find it agreeable or convenient to stay here. God! knows I sincerely feel for their distress. Tho I cannot but hope Mrs Fraser is mistaken as to the amount of their loss's. Mrs Gale continues very sick - poor old woman what a weight of additional care she is to me. Alic Boyd & poor little Herbert are the only two now laid up. I feel it an age since you left me - Tootie dear do not hurry back on my account It would be I was going to say nonsense - for you to go to so much expense and trouble & to stay but 7 days in Savannah. If William cannot have his business for a longer time - would he not consent to leave you for one week longer & return for you. Let me suggest the plan. He will have tired of the cities amusements by Monday next. Let him return in the Planter next week. See after his business - mark & haul his cotton to Frederica - then return the following Friday & be ready to start back with you on Monday following. I want you to have a little recreation. I do hope my dear child you will get the advice of Dr Arnold about those attacks of yours. It will an age to me before Saturday & then it is possible I may see an empty mail bag brought back to me - as was the case last Saturday

If you remain (as I really wish you could at least one week longer) & if William returns in the Planter next Tuesday- you will send me all you may have been able to collect for me- I should like the bread on account of the Frasers - the children & Mrs Gale - I will not conclude this before tomorrow night.

Friday morning Last night I believe Ira had eaten too much supper. She fussed considerably for a few hours - then slept quietly the balance of the night. In the morning I asked her if she was sick last night she said "yes I was very sick (when I asked her where hurt her) she said "my nose! but Muzzer I did dream my papa was come back & was going to whip me" Willie & her appear quite well this morning

Enquire if a dentist will visit the Fed [large tear in paper] 2 pair large size mens ½ hose - wool - For Abe B 1 pair large size womans worsted stockings - Ruthy

I have been looking at the stove it looks so much smaller than yours. I wish you to look at those in Savannah if on Williams return this is found at all unlike yours I will not have it. I am in all the confusion of a house full. If Matty & Becker were like Willie & Bob - there would be less trouble. I hear the Wyllys will be here today & as yet do not know the extent of Mr and Mrs Browns visit. I must stop as the Browns are going.

Give one of your sweetest kisses to dear Ira & Phema for me - also to my own dear little ones. Your devoted Mother A M King

you asked me if you must get all of my dry goods at D & M.s - you can do in this as you deem best - Remember that I pay Miss Root for your bracelet.

Do not let Wm forget to bring me $30 in change & $1 bills.

Frederica Ga 30 Jany 6

Mrs. Willi[am] [Co]uper Care of ingham [Savann]ah [Geor]gia

Clementines wants 4 yds gingham 1 guard chain 1 hair brush

If you are not coming the coming Tuesday - do send shoes for your children Ira is pretty near bare footed

4th Thursday 29th January 1852

Your dear little ones slept well last night, & are bright this morning - As the boat did not start for the Frasers until yesterday morning - the tide serving so badly I did not expect them last evening. The children had got their supper & gone to bed - when the party arrived - the 3 young ladies - 2 children & little maid. Matty is possible but little Rebecca is just as unmanagable a little miss as you can well imagine. I would recommend you by all means to prolong your visit - it will require at least 2 weeks of relaxation to fit you to begin anew your house hold cares with 6 added to your family. I will worry on with those two children during that period - I will try & not let it trouble me. Your two little darlings I manage very well. I find it impossible to dry up the burns of poor little Herbert. I wish you could get the advice of some skilful Doctor for me. The sores discharge greatly & he complains much of those on his stomach. I will enclose a small additional memorandum - I wish the medicines by the Planter - & if you do not come send me the advice I ask for Herbert. This Weather is delightful - I hope you enjoy it. From what the girls tell me - Mrs F. gave the worst account she possibly could of their misfortunes - I am glad for their sakes they saved so much. Mrs Julia King came to see them after the fire it is strange she did not take some of them home with her - but she wrote "a beautiful letter & sent Mrs Fraser a $100."

I wish Wm would keep his ears open & hear all that is going on about the losses by the explosion - Mr Anderson does not give me any definite answer. Mr Bourke thinks no one will be paid. I do not know which way to turn for advice. I ought to be thankful I did not loose all - & so I am to my God! but if others are paid I do not know why I should be left out.

Mrs Gale is still pretty much as you left her -

I will add more to this - Will you believe it - I wrote this page on a sheet I had written 2 pages on to Florence - It is well I found out my mistake before I closed my letter.