Letter 40 Martha Robinson Crump Wright Charlton to Martha William Wright Moody

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Petersburg, Virginia
Surnames/tags: Moody Wright Petersburg December 17th

Dear Martha

I received your letter to day and assure you it releived my mind very much, as the weather has been very stormy here, and I have so many fears about that dangerout coast. Bet was was here when I received your letter she says she will write to you soon she so busy making a dress for Christmas or she would write directly. Your Uncle Pat expects to move back to his old residence in the cours of a fortnight and it was hinted to me there was some talk of his getting maried to Mrs Heath whither whither there is any foundation for the report or not I cant say, if such a thing should Take place I will let you know-- We have but little news at this time. Debonivel the great mesmoriser arrived here to day I hope I shall see some of his performances-- I hope you may enjoy your self in Columbus with your relations give my love to them and Particularly to Martha Sykes, if you see Mrs Lanear say to her I should be glad to see her, tho if we meet no more in this world I hope we shall in a much better one-- Say to Jack I am sorry I forgot to lone him my watch but you staid so short a time with us when you were in you did not give me time to think of any thing-- I have not heard from your children for several days tho I have no doubt they are well or I should have heard I want to go out to see them soon after Christmast do write as often as you can as it gives me so much pleasure to hear from you-- as Mary intends to write I will conclude-- Mr. C and the children Join me in love to you and Jack Virginia say she will write to you soon--

Your affectionate

Mother

My Dear Sister

Mother has much more to say to you, but saying what she has she has'nt left me much room to write what I would like to. I am getting very anxious to see you, and of course if my anxiety increases I shall be exceedingly so before I shall be gratified. Father told Mother to tell you that he has lost one of his carriage horses since you left, and I find she has still concluded without doing so. I am not very sorry for it was the bad one, and he has bought another one to-day. Give my best love to Brother Jack. I should like to write more but it is past our hour for retiring. You may expect a letter from me very soon, and I shall expect one from you. Tell Brother Jack to write me.

Yours Mary

(In the margin--looks like Mary's writing) Georgianna was in a great deal of trouble about you for fear you would not arrive safe. you may guess how pleased she was to receive the letter.

Addressed to: Mrs Jno. M. Moody

Columbus

Mi

Postmarked: PETERSBURG Va. DEC 18

Postage 10

VLR (Virginia Leigh Refo)

Martha Robinson (Crump) Wright Charlton is writing from Petersburg to her oldest daughter (by her first marriage to William Wright) Martha William (Wright) Moody who has gone with her husband, "Jack", John Mason Moody, to Columbus, MS where he had business and where they bought and owned a home from 1847 - 1860. This year the children were evidently left at home. "Uncle Pat" is John Hamilton Patterson, Martha Charlton's brother-in-law, he having married her sister, Alice Wren (Crump) Patterson, who died in 1841. John Hamilton Patterson was a great friend of Frank Wright (not a relative), the owner of Battersea. He spent a great deal of time there, and according to Mrs. Hays died there. (See Hays note on letter # 24.) John Hamilton Patterson did remarry. Her name was Amelia E. (Dupuy) Patterson. They lived in a house on Long Market St. in Petersburg between Tabb St. and Bank St. Most likely this is the home referred to here. Martha Sykes is one of the myriad of Sykes relatives who ended up in Mississippi. (For details see letter # 39).

Mrs. Lanear [Lanier] is possibly the wife of Dr. Robert Lanier (see letter #46), Angeline (Miller) Lanier, or, more probably Dr. Lanier's mother, Elizabeth Person (Sykes) Lanier, wife of James Lanier. The Laniers were originally from Brunswick Co. VA.

After William Wright's death Martha Robinson (Crump) Wright married Rev. George Charlton. He is "Mr. C" in the letter. They built a large brick house in Petersburg on Harrison St., "the Charlton Demesne", which is still standing. Martha and George Charlton had three daughters, Mary Charlton--who was later declared insane--the same who wrote the second part of this letter, Virginia Charlton and Georgeanna Charlton, both of whom are referred here. Georgeanna died 1866, age 30, and is buried at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg with her parents. I can find nothing on the death or burial of Virginia or Mary. None of the three married.

I don't know who Bet is. Possibly it is Elizabeth D. Crump, oldest daughter of the author's brother Dr. James Robert Crump. I believe she is usually called "Lizzie", in letter # 44 and # 19, but is referred to also as "Betty" in letter # 30. There is another "Bettie", mentioned in letter #44, who appears to be J. F. Simmons' sister. Elizabeth D. Crump later married J.F. Simmons.

Date: 1847 -1849. Before 1850 census. At that time John Hamilton Patterson was married to Amelia Patterson.

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.