Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2016.02.0046 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
1831 |
Title |
1831 April 9 Maria Johnson to Margaretta Mason Brown |
Scope & Content |
Letter from Maria Johnson (New York, NY) to Margaretta Mason Brown (Frankfort, KY) Maria congratulates Margaretta on the recent marriage of Orlando. She discusses the health of both her family and Margaretta's family. Maria discusses the differences between men and women in dealing with illness. She discusses a physician Dr. Smith, who is president of a medical college, and his daughter, who has taken over responsibility for housekeeping since the death of her mother. Dr. Smith's son, Thomas, is coming to Kentucky to take care of some property in Columbia, and would like assistance from Margaretta's son's. [Transcription] New York, April 9th 1831 My dear friend Mr. Smith, the bearer of this letter, asked me last evening if I have any commands for Kentucky, and the pleasure enjoyed in your last visit here returned so vividly to my recollection that as he intended passing some days in Frankfort I determined to ask some intelligence of yourself your good husband, whom I shall always recollect with satisfaction, and your children, only one of whom I know. I congratulate you on the marriage of Orlando and request if he visit our city, he will make me acquainted with his wife. I think you met Dr. Smith at our house when you were last here, he is a physician of eminence, a lecturer in the medical college of which he is now President and is, what Charles B Brown said you were, a cogent [illegible]. He is an old friend of Mr. Johnson and one of a most extraordinary visitors and is so remarkably accurate in his statements, that you can repeat what he says without the apprehensions of being told you were misinformed his eldest daughter is a lovely girl, about eighteen since she lost her mother about three years since she has had the whole charge of the family, four being younger than herself. She has great propriety and delicacy, intelligence, cultivation of mind pleasing mannerisms, and without notability and talent for housekeeping - Her brother Thomas, who I introduced to you, is so dissident that I cannot form and correct an opinion of him all I know is in his favor he is a student of law and soon to be admitted and is travelling for business and health; he owns some land in Columbia in your state, which I believe he wishes to dispose of and perhaps your sons might give him some information on the subject. I fear he has injured his health by hard study, and should he be sick while at Frankfort, I wish your sons would recommend him a good physician. He has a family tendency to consumption, and few young men know here to take care of themselves. It often occurs to me that in sickness, it is a great blessing to be a female, they incite so much more sympathy and are so much easier nursed and from being early called upon to attend to the sick know so much better what is needful. I saw Mrs. Knox a few days since, she told me your letter came and all the family were well. Your sister said she had so much enjoyment in Ebenezer's preaching, that it seemed to her almost like his father's it is a great comfort to her to see all her family prosperous, and doing well in the best sense of the word. - I see your old friend Mrs. Montgomery often, she has been in town very frequently of late, to attend church, and her mind seems much engaged, and her cheerfulness much increased, it is a happy circumstance when religion produces that effect on the character. I have great reason to be thankful for the continued health of those most dear to me both mental and physical My two elder daughters have passed through the ordeal of what is called going into company, uninjured, and indeed, I think with a stronger relief for domestic enjoyments and useful occupations. They are always employed and always cheerful. Their intimate associates are few and such as I approve. Next month my son will be seventeen, he is in college, a junior, and destined for the law. his health is good, and he promises to be as tall as his father, if he resembles him in every other respect my highest hopes will be gratified. Present my regards to Mr. Brown, and tell your niece (Miss H that was) I often think of her and believe me. yours affectionately Maria Johnson 75 Monray [?] St. may remember - [Address Block] Mrs. John Brown Frankfort Kentucky Mr. Smith. [Note in Margaretta's hand on envelope] Interesting letters |
People |
Margaretta Mason Brown Maria Johnson Thomas Smith Orlando Brown Charles B. Brown Euphemia Provoost Mason Knox Ebenezer Mason |
Search Terms |
Disease Wedding of Orlando Brown Frankfort, KY Columbia, KY New York, NY |