[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her sister, Ann Upshur Eyre, July 23, 1811]

My dear sister

Last week I wrote you by my sister Teackle, Esther “Hetty” Maria Fisher, 1795-1840|Hetty]] who was to forward the letter and a bundle containing your earrings paste sets and also a worked handkerchief which I hope you will accept from your sister, it occupied me a fortnight, and after all, I was so unfortunate as to tear it, but have darned the fracture so it will never be observed when on the neck.

Mrs Harris has made you 5 ½ lbs. of sugar into currant jelly, which is all I cou’d glean from my currant bushes on account of the drought which destroyed everything with us. I wait a suitable opportunity to send it.

I was griev’d of hearing of poor dear little William’s misfortune, which came to my ears through Mr. Walton. Write me how he is. I hope no serious and latent ill effect may be experienced from the fracture as he is young, and no doubt, in skillful hands. I have been not a little hurt

at your silence which denies me the only substitute I can have, deprived of your society. Exert yourself to write if no more than 6 lines to let me know how you all are, by every mail; which goes directly now. Mr. Teackle petition'd for an alteration in its course, I believe, as much to facilitate an intercourse with our V-a friends in N- and A- as for any other motive.

Mr. Walton inform’d Major Jackson that Arthur had purchased a place and intends building next year. I am truly anxious for him. He is, I hear, to live in Peachburg next year. Give my love to him and my valuable little Anne – God bless the sweet girl!

I felt for my good Mama on account of William. No doubt the anxiety you all have felt for him was great.

As long as I keep myself perfectly quiet I feel better than I have done for some time; but the least exercise destroys

me. On the whole, however, I thank my good God, I am a stronger than when you left me. It grieves me to the heart to be deprived of the power of visiting my friends as I used to do, and above all, my delightful jaunts to you, must be suspended for a time. This goes to my heart with a twang. Eliza Teackle and John (now a grown up man) have gone down home, but I cou’d not accompany Hetty when she went down to see them.

Elizabeth is improving herself fast under the tuition of Mr. McCastain and is far, tolerably, advanced in her grammar, her reading and writing also progress very well and she grows wonderfully fast, soon be a woman. This delights me of all things. I already begin to be proud of her and entertain serious thoughts of giving place to my daughter in the beau monde. Nothing else wou’d reconcile me to becoming an old woman.

Tell cousin John his snuff box is my only solace now in the seclusion and absolute solitude I suffer. it is constantly

by my side and when ever its “opens its dumb mouth” its silent but eloquent language tells me of him. This is not seldom you know.

Will you beg of your good fellow to save me some celery seed? The dreadful drought has killed every one of my plants.

Dolly Harwood wrote me a very affectionate letter by last mail. She seems to be mortified that you have not written to her. People of consequence must take more trouble than others to keep up the good opinion of those in whom they have excited friendly concern, or else, they will be sure to wound their friends who are proven to feel a slight from those whom fortune has placed a degree above them, more than from a common acquaintance.

Love to all,

EUT

23^rd July, '11