[Letter from Nancy Cunningham to Sarah “Sally” Teackle Kendall - December 2, 1778]

I once more find myself happy, to have it in my power to address by letter, my dear unknown friend, my absence from the City made it impossible to hear from her, such a length of time, that I almost fear’d I was entirely forgot. But yesterday had the pleasure of seeing the agreeable Captⁿ Paramore,¹ heard my friend was well, which gave me infinite pleasure, tho’ somewhat disappointed in not having a single line. Hope shortly to be made happy in hearing more particularly from her, who’s friendship I value more that I can express. All the happiness that I can expect to have from our correspondence, is to hear often from the friend I love. If my dear girl will allow me to be a little merry, I have not the least reason to suppose I shall ever see her in Virginia, for all the Gentlemen, I have had the pleasure of being introduced to, I have been told before-hand, they were engaged. As this is the case we stand no chance to meet in rural shades, which of all things to one would be most agreeable, but perhaps my dear, your lot may be cast in Philad^a. Should that ever happen, be assured you have one friend, who will endeavour, to contribute to your happiness. As stranger things as these have happen’d, and why not again? I know no reason. Do you? Please to tell me your sentiments

when you have the opportunity.

Our flight from the City, last fall was in the greatest confusion imaginable, the scenes of distress and repeated frights we met with is past my pen to describe, but through the goodness of God, we are again restored to our once peaceful habitations, from which may we never more remove. I sincerely sympathiz’d with you, in the distress that must have arose from your worthy brother’s being made Prisoner, by those Savage Monsters. Hope he will soon be returned to his tender parent, who’s heart must feel more than can be expressed.

This is the third Letter I have wrote since I rec’d yours from Mr. Teackle. You then expressed great fear of the enemies visiting your side of the bay which distress may you never experience, is the ardent wish of one who thinks herself happy to be rank’d among the number of your sincere and affectionate friends of my parents. Best wishes attend your mama and self, in which join’s your

very Sincere and

Affectionate
Ruralinda

To Miss Sally Teackle

Just this moment I am return’d from a Lady, of my acquaintance, who has been on Long Island in search of her son. As soon as she got there she made it her business to visit all our Prisoners, among the number was your Brother, whom she left exceeding hearty, and as happily situated as his present circumstances can admit of. Hearing she was arriv’d I waited on her, on purpose to enquire for him, in order to give you all the intelligence I could collect.

So says,
Ruralinda

Miss Sally Teackle in Virginia
By favour of Captⁿ T. Paramore

An interesting letter from Miss Nancy Cunningham to Miss Sally Teackle, written from Philadelphia in 1778

E.U. Teackle
October 1^st 1829

October 1^st 1829

This is a letter from Miss Nancy Cunningham of Philadelphia to Miss Sally Teackle, sister of Severn Teackle Esquire of the Revolutionary Army, who was at the time a prisoner of the British on Long Island. From kind attentions, in a hospitable way, shown to Young Captain Teackle by the Cunningham family whilst he was on service in the North, and prisoner on Long Island, Miss S. Teackle (then a beautiful and admired young lady), was induced by feelings of gratitude, to acknowledge, in letter to Miss C., the obligations under which she conceived her family stood to the Cunninghams, for their politeness to her brother. A regular correspondence ensued. The letters of Miss C. were signed “Ruralinda.” This letter came into my possession through my Aunt, Mrs. Susanna Kendall, at whose house Sarah Kendall, the daughter of Miss S. Teackle, afterwards Mrs Bowdoin Kendall, died, in her youth. The letters of Miss Cunningham were amongst Sarah Kendall’s Clothes and other small matters, which she desired should be given to her, and my aunt, Mrs. S. Kendall. I begged for this one as a relick of two interesting young women, and as affording a familiar and touching notice of the scenes, and feelings individually experienced during a most important period of our eventful history. Afterward, in my young days, I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Cunningham in Phila. She was said to be a woman of fine sense, and accomplishments. My acquaintance with her was slight. She was then advanced in years and unmarried. The little notice I give above, of her correspondence with Miss Teackle, I had from my aunt, Mrs. Kendall, and others.

E.U. Teackle