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Title
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Letter from Jen, to Etta Bailey — August 10, 1885
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Accession Number
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2022.1.5.2
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Accession Date
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February 4, 2023
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Accession Creator
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David Lovegrove
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Depositor
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Shuman B. Gerald, III
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Date
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August 10, 1885
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Storage Location
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General Archive Box #7 Folder #9
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Text
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Tumbling Shoals, S.C.,
August 10, 1885
My Dear Etta,
Your sweet letter was received about a week ago: (no indeed, my dear, you can never tire me by long letters) I fully intended answering it the next day, but company and such like prevented my doing so. Am glad to hear you are having such a gay time. Poor Gus, I feel sorry for him, Etta you must not cast him away entirely. Will is “all the go,” is he? Do give him my very best love and tell him that I certainly appreciate the beautiful lock of hair, think I shall put it away in alcohol, so as to be sure of careful preservation. Oh! Yes, about the photograph, ask him to send a sample copy first, I can not exchange under any other conditions. That was too bad about the ride with Will, guess you have made up for it ere this.
We were ever so sorry to hear of Bettie’s illness, trust she has gotten entirely well. There is a great deal of sickness now. Lula Pitts, in Laurens, is very ill with typhoid fever.
My fun since I last wrote you has been somewhat limited. The negroes had a celebration up at their school-house on the first Saturday in this month. They assembled down here, and had splendid music by the Triangle Gang. cousin Janie, Belton and myself received a very cordial invitation, told us they had a special table for us, so we thought to please and encourage them we would ride up there awhile. We were enjoying it very much until it commenced to rain. We got under the stand, but could not manage to keep dry, so we just had to take it. it was pouring in torrents when we left, but I was already wet and didn’t mind it. When I got home there wasn’t a dry thing on me but my collar and bustle. It made me real sick, but not enough to prevent me from going to Rabun the next day, the Church was crowded, and they marched Fannie Willis and I up in the “Amen Corner”, you can imagine how I felt. Protracted meeting has been going on since then, also at Mt Bethel. One commences at Friendship next Fourth Sunday.
Cousins Mamie & Joe left last Tuesday. Sis Fannie and Bud Pete spent that day here; in the afternoon we went down to Ben’s to eat water-melons.
Wednesday morning Charlton and I went down to Cousin Lizzie’s, Charlie’s Aunt, Miss Godfrey, from Texas, is there, she is a very nice “old maid.” Thursday evening Cousin Janie and I took tea at Mrs. Chuck’s, and “take the luck” they had to let it out about our “wild goose chaise,” of course then the whole thing had to be told from beginning to end, the folks didn’t like much, or at least they thought we ought to have told them about it, set down on, eh?
Cousin Lizzie and her folks came up Friday, had a very pleasant day.
Ah! “Ett” I went to Laurens yes Saturday, and had a gorgeous time, of course I saw “brass buttons”, I delivered your message. he is certainly a nice and handsome little fellow, I am head over heels in l – – e with him. I am going to Laurens soon to spend several days, expect to have a gay time.
Belton and I went up to Sis Fannie’s yesterday, came back this morning. All of my own brothers and sisters were there. We all, (sixteen of us, not all brothers & sisters) went to Fork Shoals to Church, saw lots of folks I knew. Cyppie and Janie Featherstone were there, were very much surprised to see them there. We went back to Sis Fannies for dinner in the afternoon several boys called, we had a lovely time, I got up a flirtation with a nice little fellow from Abbeville it was “short but sweet.” Hattie McDavid is coming down to see me soon.
I have just been down to the school-house to see Fannie, she sends love and says she has the “blues” awfully, so have I. I don’t know what it the world is the matter with me, I feel awfully dull and foolish, I reckon I am going crazy.
Etta I do wish I could see you, I have so much to tell you that I cannot write.
Agnes was over one evening last week, she is expecting some friends from Abbeville.
The picnic at Gordgion’s has been postponed until the Fourth Saturday, Claude says he is coming up then.
Well Etta I suppose I will have to stop now, for I know you are sick and tired reading this nonsensical scratch.
I shall expect a letter from you right away. Give my love to Bobbie. All send love.
Accept a large share of love and kisses from,
Your friend,
“Jen.”
Tuesday – Cyppie Featherstone was down today and he says that Joe Scott is just dead in love with you. Ett I have come to the conclusion that you made several [moonlies ?] —
Love to Cousin Mary & Family also to “Cousin Vic.”