First page of letter

1863, March 6: Letter from Ann Elizabeth Burwell (Latane) Ware  to Jannette Roane (Latane) Campbell (sisters born at Mahockney).

Mahockney

March 6th, 1863

Dear Jannette,

As we all feel exceedingly anxious to hear from you Ma has concluded to send Edward to Mr. Garlicks tomorrow. We have not received a line from you since you left home and I do not doubt but what you have written.

Second page, top

William wrote to you about two mails ago but of course it would be very strange if you got the letter. I know [you?] think I have treated you badly but really I have not had time. I have been down at Mr. Ware’s for nearly a fortnight and there was no mail at all at Dunnsville. I suppose you have heard ere this of the illness of Mr. Ware, but I hope now he is recovering. Altho he is very feeble. While I was down on the river a fight took place at Water-View – two boats came up Friday and Saturday evening about two o’clock, they came down and Ge. Lee commenced firing on them, it lasted not more than an hour. I believe it is thought that one of the boats was injured we only struck them three times. Mrs. Ware stood on the shore and saw the whole fight but made Latane and myself go up to Mr. Dunns and when we got there the fight was over. I was very sorry that I should have left as no accident happened.

William has commenced school at Mr. Robinsons, I think he likes him very much. He is suffering with the toothache and threatens to have it drawn. Mary Susan is still at home she had had such a wretched cold that Ma thought it best for her not to commence school until she gets better. She is very busy carding at this time.

[Over]

I reckon you will be ashamed to open this letter as it is written so badly but you know these are war times and I can’t get any good pens. Cousin David, Henry, John, and Waring have all been here and spent a night. I was not at home when Cousin Lewis came but Ma says he was in the best spirits that she has seen any one since the war commenced, and he says he hopes he will be

Point on a scout. Mr. Ware had given up his office and of course had to go. I felt very uneasy about him but hope he may reach home again in safety. I send you a little hunk of worsted, you must find it in the front of your net you know what I mean around the cage.There are a great many blockade goods at Loyd's [= Lloyds] so it is reported and Ma is trying to get you a dress. I hope she may be successful. Ma says she cannot tell when you will be sent for as Pa is busy plowing but hope you will be able to come soon.Second page, bottom”]I forgot to tell you that dear little Latane had been sick while I was away from home he had a spasm you may imagine how much frightened I was, he looked as if he was dying for a short time but fortunately for one Dr. Jeffries was in the house at the time. I must now stop as my paper has given out. My love to all. All from me in love to you. Write very soon to your affectionate sister –

– Nannie

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This letter is contained in a folder in Virginia Historical Society archives: “Ware Family Papers, 1761-1917; Papers 1854-c.1903, of Robert Lowry Ware, 1836-1906) and Ann Elizabeth Burwell (Latane) Ware (of Mahockney, Essex County, Va). Includes tax receipt, 1862, issued in Essex County; essay, 1865, on government; and articles of subscription, ca. 1903, to the ‘Mangoright Democratic Purifier,’ concerning reform of county government and local taxation. Also, include correspondence, 1854-1863, of Mrs. Ware primarily with family members, including Jannette Roane (Latane) Campbell (concerning a skirmish between Union and Confederate forces at Ware’s Wharf, Essex co., Va., in 1863) and Ann W. (Latane) Clopton. “