Letter from Mary Jones to Cromwell Anson Jones, 1871 November 19

Date: November 19, 1871
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  • Letter from Mary Jones to Cromwell Anson Jones, 1871 November 19
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  • 1871-11-19
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  • Transcript: Headquarters Sunday Nov. 19th,/71 My Dear Son Today is the first effort I have made to write you although I have much desired to do so. Your letter of Oct 29th only reached me a week since it had no doubt been at the Cedar Bayou Office for some time as I had no means of sending over there. The two papers you sent came with it, all of which gave me much real pleasure. And since their reception your second letter of Nov 8th has been received. And when I read it I regretted not having written you, if but a dozen lines to let you know Sams trade with Col Smith had proved a failure very greatly to his disappoint- ment as much or more on your account than his own. The wednesday after you left he launched his Boat and the Wednesday after that went to Gal[veston] with a small load of wood which only enabled him to pay off Charlie the Irishman who had been here assisting him and purchase such supplies as his family were in need of, he will start down with an other load in a few days. When he will have to Regis ter as he did not stay to do so before. I believe he has pretty much given up going to Lynchburg, has the offer of cutting for one half wood for one half on a small tract of land be- longing to Mrs Francks just above Mr. Bushes, he would also have the privilege of taking off her half on shares or could purchase it on the bank at what- ever it was worth. I do not think all this will pay him as well as more active business at the “Burg” but until he is out of debt he feels anxious to run the Boat himself. It looks well and does fine in all respects and can carry eight cords or nearly so Sams intends sending you some money just as soon as possible I do not know how soon that will be -------------------------------------------------------------- My darling Son you little know how anxious I desire to have you supplied with means to sustain yourself until you can realize means from your just labor. I saw Gaston a few days since, and as I had not written you asked him to do so, and to send you some money at the earliest time possible. You may have to call on Mr. Sydnor for a small sum in addi -tion to what you have had. I trust this thing will soon be at an end as Gaston & Sam will be able in a little time to keep you supplied I am truly glad to hear your health has improved so much. I think if you are at all careful in regard to diet and exposure you will soon be in perfect health. I rejoice also that you are so pleas- ently situated and are in the way of making arguable acquaintances, and are in atmosphere calculated to improve you in so many way[s]. Study human nature and “tact” as well as books. I have a profound respect for “book larning” but it wont succeed as well in this fast age as tact combined with a good deal of humbug under all circumstances keep up appearances and good spirits. I shall never give it up until my dying day that better times are not coming. And but for this some hope what would become of the best of us. I am still here have moved out some of the things in my room and put up my little stove which keeps us quite comfortable, put it up where the secretary stood I was so certain Sam would move to Lynchburg that I asked Gaston & Sallie to come here and live with me, all the rent I asked them was my board and clothing as the place would have to under go re- pairs before it was habitable no certain time was agreed upon as none of us can tell what a year may bring both, in consequence of my offer Gaston rented his mothers place and could move ---------------------------------------------------------------- here in two or three weeks. After he told me he had rented out his place I spoke to Sam about it when he told me he had given up all idea of moving to the Burg and the calculation is clearly to stay here. I of course feel in a very unpleasant situation all round. You well know I have given up the place to Sam for two years past for nothing in the way of rent just for the sake of assisting him all I could beside amply sup- porting myself all last year. I can but think it rather a hard case that, I cannot now have my home to use as I please. God knows I am willing to make every sacrifice within the bounds of reason to aid him, but the place is daily falling to pieces which is a source of annoyance to me fences all down house nearly so, and in discom- fort for all as they now are. My present deter mination is to leave here just as soon as Gaston gets settled, for two reasons, I cannot witness the utter desolation of this place and call it home secondly I have promised Sallie to stay with her until she can get her health reestablished if that is a thing possible, and I well know she cannot be cured in any very short time. I feel it my duty to give her whatever assistance is in my power. But enough of this, all things still work out right I confidently believe The ambrotype was not returned to me by the Appletons it like the man- uscript I presume is destroyed. This likeness was taken by Brady of New York and I think you father told me they kept one for themselves in case the same parties are still in New York you might enquire of them and doubtless they would send you one, some leading paper of that City would have their card in it in case they are still there a thing not impos -sible I think ------------------------------------------------------------------ I will be very glad to get any papers you may be able to send me I saw your card in the Daily News Samuel brought up before the papers you sent came. You may rest assured I often think of you and with feelings of pride and pleasure God our Heavenly Father only know how anxious I am for your success I could die in peace if I could see all my children settled and doing well Little Charles spent a week with me here we gath- ered Pecans and Walnuts at the old Brook place and what Walnuts were here. Little baby walks quite well now and is perfectly well. My own health is tolerable good I have rheumatism in my knees which at times makes me quite lame but for it I would be very well all the time Write me as often as possible as you letters give me much pleasure. Give my love to Mrs Bryan & family how is Edd B getting on and what is Miss Mary doing with herself I have not been off the place but ever since you left here spent one day and night with “Sis” I am writing with bad ink and not a very good pen and this is the first letter I have written in six months As ever your loving Mother Mary Jones Samuel starts for Galveston this evening where this will be mailed there.
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  • 1970-003, Box 1, Folder 30
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  • ark:/84475/do50515n97n