Letter 55 Mary Elizabeth Moody Lockhart, Martha William Wright Moody to Martha Alice Moody Leigh

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Northampton, North Carolina
Surnames/tags: Moody Leigh

My dear sister

I received your note & bundle, by the Dr. I was pleased with the things sent; the Surge I think is almost to Gay for me I like solid colors most. I wish you would send the patterns you promise & selves[?] patterns also--write if paroda [?] or tight waist are worn, and the patterns for Annie. I wish you would send Anne a worsted cap. I will send you the money. Send the thing as soon as you can I want to get ready to go in & spend a week or tend days I will try & get you one or two Turkey when I come I hear from Brother yeasteaday he is improving very fast. I am glad to hear that you all are well. Willie is improving fast; Love and kiss to all.

Your sis

My Darling Child,

Mollie has written all the news so I will only write a line or two on business. Please ask Mrs. Toole to send me a nice bonnet black of course I want you to select it, and she must agree if it does not suit to take it back I will pay her for it when I go in which will be very soon. Send me a good warm cloak if you can get it cheap but I want a nice one as I don’t get one but once in three or four years. If it suits I will keep it if not will return it will send the money for it if they will send the bill. Any one that I know will be willing to trust me until I can send the money if not they can make it payable on delivery. You had better tell them to pay freight and send to Garysburg as it is so bad to get [torn] anything by express as it has to go to Weldon. Much love to all. Yours affect--

M M

VLR (Virginia Leigh Refo)

Two letters on the same page to Martha Alice (Moody) Leigh from 1) her sister Mary Elizabeth (Moody) Lockhart (Mollie) and 2) from her mother, Martha William (Wright) Moody. Annie is Annie Gray Lockhart, Mollie's daughter. Willie is William Robert Moody, son of John Mason Moody, Jr. and his deceased wife Laura Tabb Moody. Martha Moody is raising him. In 1866 JMM sold to Joseph G. Lockhart "of Lowndes Co., MS" part of the home tract of "Woodland" east of the manor house. Mollie and Martha are in Northampton Co. writing for clothing, patterns, etc. to Alice who is in Petersburg. "Brother" is probably John Mason Moody, Jr., although it could be her other brother, William Scott Moody, who was very ill in May of 1868 (see letter #52). He married in 1869 Virginia Gordon (Tabb) Moody and is listed in 1870 census as living in Lowndes Co. Ms.

Date: 1868 - 1871 Probably late fall - winter 1868 -1869. Laura died Sept. 1868. Martha is asking for a mourning bonnet and heavy cloak. Mary died 1871.

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.