| Title: | Adeline Clarke, Augusta, Georgia to W.J.C. Allen, Belfast |
|---|---|
| ID | 640 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Clarke, Adeline/45 |
| Year | 1835 |
| Sender | Clarke, Adeline |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | housewife |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Augusta, Georgia, USA |
| Destination | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Campbell Allen, William J. |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | D1558/1/1/6: The Papers of William John Campbell Allen, Deposited by F.D. Campbell Allen Esq., 15 London Road, Harrow-on-the-hill, Middlesex. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N.Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9904149 |
| Date | 12/05/1835 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 13:04:99. |
| Word Count | 1261 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Augusta May 12 1835 It is with pleasure I embrace this favourable opportunity of writing you a few lines by our friend Mr W Harper who leaves this place on next Thursday for his native land. Although only little better than a year has elapsed since you bid farewell to us all, still many changes have taken place since that time. Mr Clarke received your affectionate letter and we were all delighted to hear from you. Mr John Bones brought home with him a charming woman for his Wife; his selection has gratified both relations and friends. Her manners are warm and affectionate; well calculated to make friends. She is also quite handsome. An excellent specimen I presume of your Irish Ladies. I have been waiting with great patience to hear of your marriage but have been much disappointed as yet (What is the matter) I was sure all things would be settled as soon as you reached home. I suppose you think it is time enough, and you will remain a while longer in the delightful state of blessed singleness. I believe you were aware when you left here that Robert Clarke was much pleased with Miss E Walton. The following winter he addresed [addressed?] her and the 22 of January was appointed for their marriage. As the time drew near Elizabeth was taken with a severe cold which inflamed her eyes so much that she was obliged to wear glasses. At the same time the measles was prevailing to a great extent throughout our City although of a mild nature. As the evening of the 22 approached, her Father wished her very much to put off the wedding as she was so unwell, but she would not consent and said she would be well enough; it was nothing but a little cold she had, besides it was very unlucky to put off a wedding. Agreeable to invitation we all assembled on Thursday evening to see them married. I never saw Elizabeth look so beautiful, indeed she looked as one who did not belong to Earth. And as for Robert I can truly say I never saw him look half so well in all his life. Mr Talmage married them and we spent a very pleasant evening, however the next day her eyes again pained her very much; And on Sabbath morning; she broke out thick with the measles, instead of being relieved, she grew worse and worse. They had two Physicians attending her and on the next Sunday night she breathed her last being only 11 days married before she was laid in her cold and silent grave; it was the measles striking in was the cause of her Death When she was first informed of her approaching end she was very much shocked indeed; but afterwards she became perfectly calm and composed; talked with every one and remained so until the last. Her poor Parents I am afraid will never get over her Death. And as for Robert. I was fearful he would sink under it, he bore it much better than I expected. Poor fellow just snatched from the very height of happiness and plunged into the deepest misery. I have been particular in my account of this melancholy occurrence thinking you would be gratified to hear all about it. Mr & Mrs R Campbell are quite well and appear to be living as happy as when you left them; I believe the Honey Moon will never end with them. They have sent Afra to the Columbia Institute to school. They remained in Town this winter and Margaret Black spent it with them. Mr & Mrs Black paid them a visit about two weeks ago and Margaret returned with them. Mrs B. [Black?] has a sweet little Daughter she calls Jane Dicky. They are now preparing to set off for Ireland. Miss Black will remain in Charleston. Mr & Mrs Bryson and Marren spent last summer in Clarkesville; they all returned very hearty indeed. Mrs Bryson had a Daughter about 4 months ago, it has recently been at the point of Death; but is now considerably better. Mrs Nichols is quite well and her two children. She was burnt out of the place she lived in when you were here; also Mr Brysons family; they had taken the large wooden house joining Mrs Nichols and he had just got it furnished completely and his family comfortably fixed in it; as the fire broke out at the corner ware house that him & Mr Clarke occupied and all three of the buildings were in ashes in a few moments. They saved all their furniture. Mrs Nichols is living in the same street; higher up; she has only two or three borders at present. Mr Clarke got his foot dreadfully sprained last Octo. [October?] coming down to Town. One of the shafts of his sulky broke, the horse attempted to run and he jumped and came with all his weight on his ancle [ankle?], he has been a cripple ever since. I am afraid he will hardly ever get over it. Aunt Elizas family are all quite well. She had a fine daughter about 6 weeks ago. Henry and Elizabeth talk a great deal about you; always wanting to know when you are coming back. They will never forget you. John and Frances never fails to remember you in their prayers every night. The two Miss Gardners are still single also the charming Miss Dillon. So you see we have some young ladies still left if you should take a notion to come back here for a Wife. Mr Samuel Bones married Miss Mc Gran. They are living together at present on the Hill: and are quite well Mother and myself received a joint letter from John Adger a few months ago. he was in Smyrna and said he had just commenced learning the language. He also observed that himself nor his wife had never regretted for one moment the step they had taken My children have all had the measles; but got over them very well Frances had an attack of brain fever about ten days ago which has left her very much debilitated. My little Robert Campbell has grown to be a fine boy; he can say almost every thing; and is a great amusement to us all. We have had one of the severest winters almost ever experienced in Augusta. We had 5 or 6 falls of snow, and the coldest weather I think I ever felt. And now my kind friend do write me a long letter and tell me how you come on and what your intentions are; if you are going to be married or not; and when you think you will visit Augusta again. You see I have wrote you in a plain and friendly manner; knowing your kind heart so well I feel under no restraint in writing to you. My Mothers health has not been good this winter, but she says she hopes to live to see you once more. Mr Harper thinks he will be back again by October. I shall be much disappointed if I do not receive a long letter from you. Mr Clarke Mother and Robert all join me in hoping that this letter may find you in the full enjoyment of health and happiness. I remain Your Affectionate Friend Adeline E Clarke P.S. You must excuse bad writing, and all mistakes as Mr H [Harper?] went much sooner than I expected. And I was very much hurried. Yours AEC *envelope address: Wm. John C. Allen Esqr Belfast Ireland Politeness of Mr. Wm [William?] Harper |
