Letter 25 Alice Wren Crump Patterson to Martha William Wright Moody

Date: 29 May 1840 [unknown]
Location: Petersburg, Virginia
Surnames/tags: Mason Moody Wright Petersburg May 29

Dear Martha

I was very much disappointed at your not coming in this week I had heard that Jack was coming and I was looking for you every day until Allen came however I hope you will come shortly Mildred intended going out in the carriage this morning but she says she is so unwell she is afraid to undertake the the trip her health has been bad for several weeks and I don’t think she will recover until she goes to the country I have sent the things you wrote for the corded skirts were so very [damaged] and they are so little worn now that I got you a new article the Victoria skirt the price is 2 dollars and a half Mr Page says if you don’t like it you may return it. I went yesterday to enquire about Aunt Fanny and they told me she had been turned out of her house a few days ago but a Mrs Weeks had told her she could stay in her cellar until she could hear from you how she makes out to get anything to eat I can't tell for I have not seen her since you were here I don’t think you can support her here for less than three dollars a month at any rate I want you to write directly what you intend to do with her for if you wish her to go home it will be useless to get her a house or make any provision for her here and it is probable Mrs Weeks may not let her stay many days where she is so I think you had better make up your mind and directly and let me know. Julia Ann has been quite sick for several days past she is better this morning Mildred and the girls send their love to you all.

I remain yours affectly

Alice Patterson

Mrs. Martha Moody

Maconville

N C

By Allen

VLR (Virginia Leigh Refo)

Alice Wren (Crump) Patterson, first wife of John Hamilton Patterson, is writing to her niece, Martha William (Wright) Moody. Jack is Martha's husband, John Mason Moody. Mildred refers to Mildred (Williamson) Crump, 2nd wife of Dr. James Robert Crump, Alice's brother (see letter #30). Mr. Page is Norborne Page a Petersburg merchant whose wife is a cousin (see letters # 21 and # 27). Julia Ann is Alice's daughter, Julia Ann Patterson, referred to in several other letters. Allen is a servant. The letter is entrusted to him to deliver. The status of Aunt Fanny is, I believe, a freed slave or servant. She is also referred to in letter # 21.

Date: I believe 1838 - 1840. Mildred's husband died March 1838. If the Victoria skirt is a special accommodation to pregnancy, it's probably 1840, before John Mason Moody, Jr.'s birth in September or that year. However, the date could be anywhere from 1833 - 1841.

Acknowledgement

• Many thanks to cousin Virginia Leigh Refo whose research and transcriptions added to this profile. The originals were donated to the Library of Virginia in 2004 by Liz Edens Vermillion with the help of Virginia Refo Moody Family Papers, 1750-1881. Accession 40535, Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.