1861-03-23: Cousin Sallie to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter
This document is a letter from a person identifying themselves as "Sallie" to "Cousin", presumably Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, written from Eatonton, Ga., on March 23, 1861. The letter describes a visit by the writer to Eatonton. The Fitzpatrick family emigrated from Ireland...
| Format: | Electronic |
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Auburn University Libraries
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| Online Access: | http://content.lib.auburn.edu/u?/fmw01,60 |
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Electronic |
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| collection |
Fitzpatrick-Mitchell-Williamson Papers Collection |
| building |
Auburn University Digital Library |
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Auburn University Libraries |
| topic |
Family letters |
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Family letters 1861-03-23: Cousin Sallie to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter |
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Family letters Williamson Family; Mitchell Family; Fitzpatrick Family; Alabama--Social life and customs--19th century; Letters; Peoples -- Domestic Life; Peoples -- Rural Life; History -- 1838-1874: Sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction; |
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1861-03-23: Cousin Sallie to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter |
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1861-03-23: Cousin Sallie to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter |
| description |
This document is a letter from a person identifying themselves as "Sallie" to "Cousin", presumably Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, written from Eatonton, Ga., on March 23, 1861. The letter describes a visit by the writer to Eatonton. The Fitzpatrick family emigrated from Ireland to the Virginia colony in the early 1700s. Over time, the family moved from Virginia through the Carolinas and into Georgia before finally settling in Line Creek, Alabama and Verbena, Alabama. Several members of the family were active politically including William Fitzpatrick, who served in the Georgia legislature, and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, who served two terms as governor of Alabama. Sarah Fitzpatrick, a descendant of this family, married Columbus White Mitchell who was from a prominent Alabama family. The couple had ten children, seven of whom survived infancy. Three of their sons served in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy (Phil F. Mitchell, Joseph A. Mitchell, and Columbus White Mitchell). Their daughter Mary Louisa, a central figure of this collection, married Dr. Samuel "Trinley" Thomas Williamson in September 1861 shortly after the war began. Williamson was a medical doctor who also fought in the Confederate armed forces. With Williamson and the three Mitchell brothers away fighting, Mary Louisa was left home to run the household with only the help of her sick mother and her sisters. At this time she was also pregnant with her first child who was born in 1862. All three brothers and Williamson survived the war. The family continued to live in Alabama following the Civil War. Since the mid-1900s, some branches of the family have spread out while some continue to live in Alabama. This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)'s "Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South" project. |
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AUfmw0160 |
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http://content.lib.auburn.edu/u?/fmw01,60 |
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https://cdm17353.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getthumbnail/collection/fmw01/id/60 |
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1705449246514216960 |
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1861-03-23: Cousin Sallie to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, LetterThis document is a letter from a person identifying themselves as "Sallie" to "Cousin", presumably Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, written from Eatonton, Ga., on March 23, 1861. The letter describes a visit by the writer to Eatonton. The Fitzpatrick family emigrated from Ireland to the Virginia colony in the early 1700s. Over time, the family moved from Virginia through the Carolinas and into Georgia before finally settling in Line Creek, Alabama and Verbena, Alabama. Several members of the family were active politically including William Fitzpatrick, who served in the Georgia legislature, and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, who served two terms as governor of Alabama. Sarah Fitzpatrick, a descendant of this family, married Columbus White Mitchell who was from a prominent Alabama family. The couple had ten children, seven of whom survived infancy. Three of their sons served in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy (Phil F. Mitchell, Joseph A. Mitchell, and Columbus White Mitchell). Their daughter Mary Louisa, a central figure of this collection, married Dr. Samuel "Trinley" Thomas Williamson in September 1861 shortly after the war began. Williamson was a medical doctor who also fought in the Confederate armed forces. With Williamson and the three Mitchell brothers away fighting, Mary Louisa was left home to run the household with only the help of her sick mother and her sisters. At this time she was also pregnant with her first child who was born in 1862. All three brothers and Williamson survived the war. The family continued to live in Alabama following the Civil War. Since the mid-1900s, some branches of the family have spread out while some continue to live in Alabama. This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)'s "Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South" project. [page 1]
Eatonton Georgia Mar 23th /61
Dear Cousin
I was delighted to
receive your pleasant little missive a
few evenings since and you cannot imagine
with what pleasure I read it. I
always look forward to the time with
great eagerness when I am expecting
a letter from Line Creek, and particu-
larly from you, for you always
give me the news. generally of the
neighborhood.
I came out from
Eatonton yesterday evening and I have
passed several weeks quite charmingly.
[page 2]
The Young Gentlemen of Eatonton
were very attentive and they are
so very gallant and sociable
decidly more so than in Montgomery;
Mr Bendell came down Tuesday
night and stayed until after 11 O
I enjoyed the evening exceedingly
we had an interesting game of
cards. I beat him badly he says
he never saw a person from
Alabama but knew how to play
while he was there I was a little
astonished by a delightful serenade
from the Young Gentlemen which
added to his charming visit, but
I believe I should have enjoyed
it more another night for we
were engaged in quite an interest-
ing conversation. when we [scratched out word]
heard the first cords of the
guitar, and flute which hermonised
together so beautiful, and you
[page 3]
write me Cousin Grace's is about
to be off for Texas what can
be the cause of his sudden
departure. I reckon you can guess
the inference I have drawn.
I conclued you had kicked him
and that he was going to Texas
to week over his deplorable situation.
(I pity him poor fellow) but I
know there is one that will
rejoice at his departure; dont show
this letter, tell Sister I sincerely
hope by the time I return to
Line Creek she may be ready to
consumate the vows with Mr.
Littlepage for I think myself she
has enjoyed his devoted attentions
long enough. it is time to
bring things to a focus, now,
say I. Ha. I have not seen any
more of Col. [Cauds ?] but have
received a message delivered by
[page 4]
Mr. Besdell his most intimate
friend in Eatonton. I think he
was slightly captivated I sent a
beautiful bouquet a few days
ago. made of the most choice
flowers the Gentleman that was
the recipient send me a nice
message and also came down
to see me and delivered it
[illegible] and I know he appreciates
it very highly indeed. my dearest
love to all of my relations
and write very soon to one
who loves you affectionately
Sallie
[page 5]
[envelope front]
[postmark: Eatonton GA, Mar 27]
Miss Mary Lou. Mitchell
Line Creek
Montgomery Co.
Ala.1861-03-23Williamson Family; Mitchell Family; Fitzpatrick Family; Alabama--Social life and customs--19th century; Letters; Peoples -- Domestic Life; Peoples -- Rural Life; History -- 1838-1874: Sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction;Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia, United States1861-03-23Fitzpatrick-Mitchell-Williamson Family Papers, 1850-1989, Auburn University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives, Auburn University, Auburn, AlabamaRecord Group 1223, Fitzpatrick-Mitchell-Williamson Papers, Folders 15, 495 pages, 21 cmengAuburn, Ala. : Auburn University LibrariesThis image is the property of the Auburn University Libraries and is intended for non-commercial use. Users of this image are asked to acknowledge the Auburn University Libraries. For information about obtaining high-resolution copies of this and other images in this collection, please contact the Auburn University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Department at archives@auburn.edu or (334) 844-1732.Stillimage; Text;1850s_Sal_to_WilliamsonMLM_letter.pdfapplication/pdfDeeply RootedAuburn University Librarieshttp://cdm17353.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/fmw01/id/60 |