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[Haw Tree?] June 15th [1840]
This is the birth day of my dear Sister and I cannot be with her. I will endeavor to write a few lines to her. I would not have [postponed?] writing so long but have been expecting to leave home for several weeks and concluded I would write on my return, as I would probably have more news to communicatre. But [?] disappointed in [doing?] so. Mr. F expected to have gone to [?] and Richmond to sell his tobacco but there is so much in market at this time he could not have sold if he had gone. Several have gone on and had to return without selling. I have an idea of going with him as far as Petersburg but have not determined. I dislike leaving the children. If I go I shall send them to Uncle John's they would be very well satisfied with [Polley?] there I expect. Virginia asked me to let them stay with her but I thought she would put herself to so much unnecessary trouble about them. I did not like to impress on her.
I have not been any where since I wrote you but to Brother Alfred's except to some of my neighbours. It has been nearly two months
since I was in Town. The day after I returned from Brother Alfred's I sent for sister Frances. She tis very low but all of us through it would be of service to her to leave home. She is very melancholy, it would distress you to see her, you have no idea how badly she looks. The physicicans think her liver is affected and they say it is the nature of her disesase to be low spirited. They only stayed one night with me and went to [Warrenton?] next day and when I heard last she was not as well as she was when she left home. Dr. [Malone?] has been to see her since she went to Town. [Lukey?] misses the child she had to leave her child at home and they have been from home nearly a fortnight and sister F is not able to return home yet. I feel very sorry for her, but expect her child will be well attended to. I will try to go to see them this week but [Ms?] F is so busy I dislike to leave home on account of taking [?] and the Horses.
Brother Henry has gone to Philadelphia he went on [?] in relation to that lawsuit that has been on hand so long. Week before last [Ms?] F had to go up to [Ms?] [Somerwell?] [to?] [afford?] it. I sincerely hope it will be tried this month if it is I will write after it and let you know the result. I know you feel invested for us. Brother Henry and Tom went to Raleigh last week to the celebration. It was in consequence of the completion of the rail road and Captiol
They had not returned a few days ago. Great many from [Harrington?] went. [Mrs?] Allen among the number. [Mrs?] Lucas furnished the dinner. There were between 800 and 1000 strangers there. You do not know how much I was relieved when I received your letter, that you had reached St. Louis. I was so much afraid some accident would happen to you and that dear little Shep was [illegible] I expect he can walk very well by this time. Mr F. laughed yesterday and told me when I wrote to ask you if there was any prospect of the [zephyr?] being any use to you. he says there is no prospect here he thinks. You know what he means, I expect you [illegible] his telling us about it. [?] [Burnt out] Children are all well and have [?] [gotten?] you Sal sometimes says she [goes?] to see Shep. You think Isaac about afortnight went off toward Warrenton [we?] did not know he had gone and fortunately one of our neighbours [?] saw him about a mile and a half from here and carried him home and in the afternoon his master came over to know if we had lost a child here and described his [dress?] and told what he said his mother's name was. I felt grateful that we found him so soon.
You remember the vine I had taken up and set near the garden gate it has grown rapidly and is now in bloom and looks very pretty.,
Give my love to Mr. [Caburn?]. Tell him as he was so attentive to the geese I must let him know how they come [?] I have but two goslings and they grow very fast.
Martha Goode was in [?] about three weeks ag. I did not see her really thought Martha slighted me she did not call going nor returning she staid with Mrs While and left Mr. Goode at home. I heard that he went up for her.
About 1840?
Mrs. Susan J [?]
St. Louis
I have not seen Sister since you left here but expect to go to see her soon. I have understood that her health is not so good as it was sometime ago. Mrs. Mary is in Louisburg. I heard she went to the [dining?] [?] Gabriel Thomas and Lady. Mr F joins me in love [?] yourself and Mr C. [?] Shep for me. Farewell my dear dear Sister and write often to yours. [?] sister Ann
Raleigh. June 23rd, 1840
My Dear Sister
I received yours of the 18th of May a few days ago and would have answered it immediately but that our house has been scarcely clear of company since. It was needless to say that I was pleased at the reception of it for you know that fact. I cannot say that I thought hard of your not coming to see me. Nevertheless when I recieved your letter announcing that you could not, I cried manfully. I upbraided myself somewhat, for I might have gone to War renton to have seen you. Could I have conquered that feel ing of horror at the very idea of seeing that dear old spot which was once the sweetest of all homes to me and I should have done so if I had believed that you could not come, but you know that I was nearly all the time looking for you. You I remember said that you could start next Tuesday for Missouri. I received your letter I believe on Tuesday and I thought there was nearly a week to spar. I immediately commenced thinking whether my little Mary's clothes were clean and decent thatI might start right off [??] see your before you left. I said so to to Mr Battle when e informed me that I was under a great mistake that you were then on the road. you cannot imagine my disappointment. I can't bear to think of it nowas the matter cannot beremedied, I will stop writing and