Letter 42 John Mason Moody to Martha William Wright Moody

Date: 22 Feb 1853 [unknown]
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Surnames/tags: Moody Wright Mobile Alabama, Feb 22nd 1853.--

My Dearest Patt.

I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines, not knowing, at what time, I'll be able to leave this place, for I wish to see my cotton weighed, and sold first, and after landing this morning we had a very hard rain--which will prevent my cotton from being weighed on to morrow, and with all cotton is quite flat (dull) at this time. William Peters, and little daughter and Miss V. Peebles, Bro Powell & Daughter, L. Laurence, and James and Richard Leigh came down with me from Columbus and will leave tomorrow for N. Orleans when I shall feel quite lonely--as it is doubtful when I can get off. There is a grand millitary Ball going on down stairs at this time--and I can hear the music but it has little charmes for me--without my Patt to share it. William Peters & myself are both writing home, & the young ladies & gentlemen have gone to the Theatre.

I wrote to my dear Patt a few days ago from Columbus; but suppose you will hardly get it, as the waters are too high for the stages.-- I ought by rights to go to N Orleans and look after my Abner Robinson Acbbs[?Accounts?], but I am too anxious to see my dearest--I rather think that we ought to go out to Columbus and look a little after our interest this spring-what say you? I went to night to see a little child of 3 years beat a Drum and he certainly was the greatest Drummer I ever saw.-- Several has just come into the room, and I'll bring my letter to a close-so a good night my sweet one.

Jno M Moody

Love to all. Kiss my dear little Laura.

J.M Moody

Addressed to: Mrs Martha W. Moody

Garysburg

North Ampton County

No. Carolina

Per Mail

VLR (Virginia Leigh Refo)

A letter from John Mason Moody to his wife, Martha William (Wright) Moody, whom he always addressed as Patt. Of the people he traveled with--James Leigh was Dr. James Leigh, son of Rev. William Leigh and Julia Ann (Crump) Leigh. Julia who died in 1847 was the author's wife's aunt. Richard Leigh was possibly Richard Watkins Leigh, oldest son of Rev. Hezekiah Gilbert Leigh and his wife, Mary Jane (Crump) Leigh, also an aunt of the author's wife. Rev. William Leigh and Julia are said to have had a son, Richard Leigh, brother of James mentioned above--it could well be him. The other travelers are unknown to me. There is a Mr. Powell mentioned in letter # 7. Also Seth Peebles' estate is mentioned in letter #36 as property JMM rented. Miss V. Peebles might possibly be Seth's daughter, or heir. Laura is Laura Estelle Moody, John's youngest child, born in 1847. Abner Robinson is unknown to me. JMM may have been a trustee, guardian or executor of his estate. A John Robinson sold land in Northampton to JMM in 1843.

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.