East New Market

Correspondence

19 June 1855

Emma Edmondson to her father, William V.M. Edmondson

(Collection of University of Maryland, Hornbake Library)


[believed to have been written in 1855, since WVM Edmondson was unmarried from 1851 to December 1855 and Mary Jacobs was unmarried until 1856.]

Baltimore - June 19th

Dear Father,

Yes dear father I have written to you on the 13th, I expected you to get it the next day.  So you miss your "dear daughter", not much I expect.  Now you will have time to "look for a wife".  How long much I stay to give you a "fair chance".  You have been wishing for so long, or I might say, talking of so long.

Yes I have been enjoying myself very much.  Am invited to a party this evening, but it is so cloudy and rainy we have given up going.  Helen Craig was to have come over yesterday, but the pleasantness of the weather prevented.  She sent me word.  She was going to take me home with her, very kind.

No it is not true cousin John's foot is not shorter than the other.  He is afraid to bear on it as yet still he is much better than he was when I first saw him.  He walks about his room on crutches, and sits up nearly all day does not complain much of pain, indeed he is very patient.  Said if he is well enough to leave his room, he will go down with me.  Wants to see you very much, all of us do.  I got a letter from Mary Jacobs today.  Said the girls have had two nice rides on horseback, and enjoying themselves very much when gentlemen accompanied them?  She did not write.  Give my love to her and all the girls who trouble themselves to inquire for your "dear little daughter".  I expect you are feasting now.  The markets here are very dull, everything scarce and high.  Chickens four to four and a half a dozen, and vegetables to correspond.  I suppose you want to hear some "good news".  We have had the Small Pox next door.  The poor child was buried this morning.  We have to keep indoors and the windows closed, but as it has not been very warm.  We have not suffered much inconvenience.  I stayed all night with Mary Hooper Sunday night.  We had a long chat and I am happy to say she is not engaged, now that is good news Cousin John says. 

And still better news, the widow Pattison is in town, but I think it is for him, as she is an old widow and one year.  Do not know.  He says it is too bad he can't get out to see her.  Sometimes he is very cheerful, generally in tolerably good spirits.  His friends have been very kind, most always someone in to see him.  He wants to see you very much, and as I said before, we all do.  Now do write when you will come up.  I mean if its possible for you to leave home.  I am so sorry to hear dear Ginnie is no better, but worse.  I am going to write to her.  Kindly give my best love for her health to her when you see her.  And now good bye for a while, and ever still remember you dearest daughter.  Please write soon.

Emma