[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to Littleton Dennis Teackle, January 26, 1812]
Mentioned in this letter
- Education, Religion, Literacy, and Culture
Philosophy
26th, Jan. '12
My dear husband
It appears to me a long time since I heard from you indeed, as the mail has not been in this week owing to the excessive hard weather. We have had our hands full in keeping ourselves warm, setting every other consideration at naught. How have you managed? However, I know you are in comfortable quarters and that thought serves to soften the idea of separation. I am always happy in knowing you to be comfortable and at ease; and if it shou’d ever please providence to make you so in every sense of the word, my gratitude will be great indeed; feeling grateful as I do that we are shared accumulated misery, I endeavor to pass off the little occasional brushes of life, which serve but to brighten
our Philosophy and enhance each little pleasure as it occurs. I can truly say that I have endeavored to manage our household to the best of my power; and perhaps the little trials I have been subjected to, may prove of ultimate advantage to my knowledge of house economy. As far as possible I have paid my way; (for wh. by the bye I am indebted to the 70 dolls. you sent.) I paid 46 dolls. to Talbot for articles necessary to the family. Several little bills beside of the same nature, and the residue I was obliged to keep for current uses. Indeed, since I have been in the habit of paying bills myself, I have been astonished at the money it takes to live on decently, than which I have done no more in your absence. I was obliged to leave Maddox’s bill unpaid as I thought it best to
pay off the little accts. which had occurred after I wrote you. You are in fact my only resource which gives me so often occasion to trouble you, that I am doubtful you will dislike to open my letters in future, each being no better than a demand on your limited means. I hope to hear by this mail when you may be expected home. It gratifies me, if I can’t see you, to receive long letters.
Eliza and Hetty are here since a fortnight, nearly. E. says she has paid you a visit and you had not the manners to be at home to receive her. They both send their love to you.
My health is getting much better in point of bodily strength but I have been a good deal afflicted with the nervous complaint in my head. This I don’t so much mind