The Mary Lacy Letters

Transcribed by Lucy Prothero and annotated by Scott Stegall

David Coll. July 2. [1856]

Dear Bess,

I got a note from Alick yesterday, saying that he would not send me the crushed sugar we ordered as by the time it reached Charlotte, it would be 14 ½ cts per pound and we could probably get it as low as that. He will send the coffee & candles. I wish you would send Zack round & get me a few samples of sugar both brown & crushed & the price by the barrel  – we want a barrel of each, & as the price is rising had better purchase now than by the small quantity.¹

The wedding took place night before last, not a soul was there from the Hill but your Father, who married them. The fee was ten dollars. I called to see the bride the next morning, she was dressed in a green plaid silk & looked very pretty. Mr C. looked very happy & foolish.²

 

They go down tomorrow on their way to his Fathers, where they will make a visit of a week. Mr. Henderson came over here the other night in a great taking about the action of the Board with regard to him.³ He had just heard of it from Charlotte. He blames the Faculty for not giving him warning, not remembering that Major Hill warned him more than a year ago and he has been abusing him ever since.⁴ Mr Henderson went down to Charlotte yesterday to see Mr Osborne.⁵ He told Mr Lacy that Mr Hunter was going to bring on some of the “schnapps” but he persuaded him not.⁶ He confesses to selling brandy two years ago.

I have not time to write much of a letter, but I believe I have but little more to say. The children are both better. Benny has gotten well of the “running off,”⁷ but it seems to me

 

 

 

there never were such fractious children, it keeps one person busy to keep them from killing each other. Ben was looking at the daguerreotypes this morning, when I was dusting them, as soon as he saw yours, he said “Bess”. We had corn today for the first time. Our snaps have failed al-most [new line] entirely for which I am very sorry as your Father & Kate love them so.⁸ When do you put your celery in trenches? It seems to me that it grows very slowly. I am almost discouraged about my garden, the hogs get in almost every night. They have eaten off every bit of the lettuce left for seed and such a fine kind. Have you had any warm weather in Charlotte, & any thunder or lightning? It has been stinging hot here. Kate says I must give her love to you & Mary.⁹ She & Mr Junkin are going out to Mrs Reads this evening.¹⁰ Any chance of my crib? I don’t see

 

 

 

any waggons passing these days. Send me the price of the lemons. If Dru can get a coarse travelling coat for Two dollars or Two-fifty per-haps he had better get it than the material.¹¹ Love to Mr D & Mary. I am afraid the boys will find it very lonesome here.

Yrs affect M R. L.