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Title
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Letter from Jen, to Etta Bailey — July 7th, 1886
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Accession Number
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2022.1.5.8
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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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July 7th, 1886
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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.
July 7, 1886.
Yes, my darling “Ett” I had come to the definite decision that you had excluded me from your list of friends; but am indeed glad that it is not a reality. For a whole, long month I have been waiting anxiously for a letter from you. Yes I forgive you for your seeming negligence; but you must not do so again. See how good I am to answer your letter as soon as I get it.
Thank you Etta very much for your kind invitation to visit you. It would be the greatest pleasure of my life to accept; but under the circumstances I can not see how I can possibly do so. I think Aunt Margaret will be sure to attend the wedding. She is very anxious to do so: so am I. In all probability I will be in Greenville during August, for the purpose of attending the Normal School, so you see I could not take both trips very well. I hope to be able to pay you a visit either going or returning; for I am crazy to see you. Of course you must come to see us this Summer. I would never forgive you if you do not. The “Fair Miss Featherston,” I hear, intends visiting us; but I have not been enough interested to ask when: I presume it will be shortly; imagine how charmed I am with the hope of entertaining such a guest! Can’t you come down help me “play the agreeable”?
I have been over at Cokesbury spending several weeks with Marian. You don’t know what a jolly good time I did have. Belton and I want to go back next week to a Sunday School affair. Our Convention will come off in a week or so. By the way “Ett”, I received an elegant bouquet the other day from — Dr. Smith: nice, eh? I see Will Gambrell occasionally; but he presents rather a “wormy” appearance. Claude Garrett is at Home again; but I have’nt seen him. Mr. Wilcox and I are getting along charmingly. “Ett” do tell me something about hm. Belt does not care for me to correspond with him; but I don’t think it is anything, do you?
Ett I can not give my consent for you to marry this Winter. Of course you know that I have no objections whatever to Will (I can’t call him Mr. Burgiss) My opinion of him is faultless — he is certainly all heart could desire. But I can’t give you up. Find me one of the blessed creatures and I shan’t say a word. I fear I am doomed to single blessedness. Ah! Yes, I will stay with you just as long as you will have me and “thanky too.” Will you live at Greer’s? But you must’nt marry. Tell Will he can do without you better than I can; and I’ll be mad if he takes you from me. We will be glad to see him too when you come; but if he hopes to occupy any of your time, he may just stay at Home, for I shall claim you as my very own.
Poor Bob! I am real sorry he has been sick. Tell him all kinds of sweet things for me. What of Sallie? Are you and Mamie Zimmerman still at daggers points? We have not heard from Cousin Mary in some time; but think she intends coming up this month. We are expecting Cousin Janie and Charlton today. Cousin George and family spent last week here.
Uncle Wash is quite sick yesterday and today, has such a wretched cold. Aunt Margaret, I think, is improving: she walks a good deal without her stick. Cousin Lizzie Garlington is in very delicate health. Hattie Mc.David is at Home now: Belt saw her last week. We want to go up to Sis Fannie’s Saturday. H. expects to have two friends visit her sometime this Summer, so if you come down, we will go up and stay several days. She expects to go to the Normal. Ett You go too.
Well Ett, I must go and fix the dinner table, so I will tell you good bye. Please! Please!! don’t let any body see this: burn it immediately.
All send love to each of you.
With much love, for yourself and Will,
Your everlasting friend,
“Jen.”
P.S. Tell Will he had better not try to take you from me – I will — “cuss him out” if nothing worse.
Belt says for you to answer this letter–
Please write soon –
Write to me as soon as you get this please ma’m.
Aunt Margaret says for Mamie to write to her again before the wedding.
Jen.