[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle and Ann Upshur Eyre to Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle, July 28, 1818]

28 July ’18 Barren Creek

My dearest child

I wrote you a very long letter last week to which your father added a few lines and I believe some of the needful. He divided the epistle in two letters, which I mention that, in case you shou’d not receive both, you may be enabled to account for the strangeness which half a letter wou’d exhibit. I write by this mail to relieve your mind from any anxiety you may suffer on account of the cause of my intention of coming here wh. I mentioned in my last. This water is invaluable to persons of a bilious habit. I already experience much benefit from drinking it although I have been here only two days. My strength is increased as well as my appetite, and I hope to return home tomorrow another woman. The Colo. and Mrs. Jackson came with our party and have been a great resource to us indeed. Very little company besides ourselves, which I regret on your aunt’s account; for as she is not disposed to amuse herself by water drinking, she has no resource, but in occupying herself with chasing the mosquitoes and flies which are very

numerous and very familiar sort of gentry. We find the accommodations much better than usual and have a billiard table to which I resort some times. This morning I beat Mr. Eyre a love game actually; but he gave me two thirds of the count at first. Louisa and I are the best match. Yesterday we play’d and came out positively backward, winning by losing.

Your Aunt Eyre tells me to say a great deal of love to you; she is very sorry that she missed the time of meeting you at home. That you must make good use of the time you have to stay in P-a, as she intends that you shall be all and every thing her fondest hopes can look forward to in a child of her heart. Your father always sends his love to you and keeps beside, a store of it for you in his heart. I must go and drink again, as this is the last day I have to stay here at this time. I must make the most of it. In the meantime your aunt will write a few words at the bottom of this.

God forever bless you my belov’d and excellent child

Your Mother,

EU Teackle

P.S
Love to Madame and Mam^le G also Madame Lejoin.

You are your Mama’s dear Liebe, your papas liebe, your Aunt Eyre's dear Liebe and the dear Liebe of him who

calls himself your Elevated. And last tho' not least, you are the dear perfect, adorable Miss Lieben of your devoted aunt Nanny, who says there never was such another sweet young Lady. Knowing all this my precious girl, have you not cause to rejoice in the core of your heart that you are the darling of so many while millions of beings exist without the treasure of one honest heart they can draw upon in the full surety of its devotedness? You must not think for a moment with pain of this temporary separation from those friends you hold so close. Let your zeal to accomplish the object which made it necessary be your only cause. The recompense your bereaved and doting mother has a right to expect for the pain the separation gives her. I did not mean when I sat down to write you a lecture, and am far from thinking you require one, but was at the moment forcibly stuck with the knowledge of your mother's pain at parting with you. That only is the full hope of extraordinary benefits to you wou'd I have advised it. I shall to see you soon after your return. In the mean time, I must beg you will let me hear from your as often as you can to write well and easily is one of the most pleasing capabilities of a gentle woman, and practice is necessary to [torn page] us in this as [torn page] as in all other accomplishments. Mr Eyre begs his love may be acceptable. And believe us all earnestly in truth for the health and welfare of our darling.

Your affectionate Aunt

A. Eyre