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  1. 05/16/1834

    Letter headed Pitts C. H. May 16th 1834 from George H. Gilmer to his mother [Mary House Gilmer] and brother Harmer replying to a joint letter from them and tells of his preference that Frank should come to Mr. Godfrey's P. H. Academy and teach rather then attend the University [of Virginia]. He states that Frank can clear $300 and save the $2-300 per year cost at the University. This "difference of $500 per year is a good deal of money in any man...

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter
  2. letter - April 27, 1843

    Letter without a heading from Emma Gilmer Breckinridge at Fincastle, Virginia to her mother, Mary Gilmer, at Leigh, near Hardin's Tavern, Albemarle, written over several days telling of the arrival of spring, plants coming up, flowers blooming, of the settlement of the estate of Mrs. Breckinridge's, getting clothing for her children and sister Peach, of her desire for her mother to visit them this summer, deaths and marriages in the community, Co...

    Record Type: Archive

    letter
  3. Letter - 1831

    Letter without heading from an unknown friend to Emma W. Breckinridge at Fincastle in Botetourt County with an illegible return address. The year is assumed to be 1831 as the writer comments on names of houses that Emma has mentioned and says she prefers the name Keelonah. Other letters suggest that by September 29, 1831, Emma and her husband were building a new home which was ultimately called Catawba. Most of this letter concerns the health of ...

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter, page 1
  4. Letter - 1831

    Overwritten letter headed "Staunton Oct 8th" and the rest of letter has not been read due to the overwriting process, thus we have little information to set the year. We used 1831 since other letters filed in this group were estimated to be written in 1831.

    Record Type: Archive

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  5. Letter - April 12, 1841

    Letter postmarked Hardin's Tavern on April 2, 1841 from Mary Gilmer to her daughter Emma Gilmer Breckinridge, at Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, with news of the plantation and crops, prospects for a good year, gives number of tobacco plants planted and estimated number to be harvested at the end of the season, family news about traveling to various homes, news that Harmer is back at work and doing well, although his mother is distressed t...

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter
  6. Letter - April 14, 1840 (year by context)

    Letter headed "Monday evening" and postmarked April 14, and the year by context is 1840, from Emma Breckinridge to her mother, Mary Gilmer, at Leigh, near Hardin's Tavern, Albemarle and writes about her upcoming trip to visit her mother in May, where she will attend the Convention and visit her family. Cary has purchased a new carriage and team of horses. Lizzie Watts has visited with Emma and plans to attend the Convention with her. Emma plans t...

    Record Type: Archive

    letter
  7. Letter - April 17, 1847

    This letter headed "Pittsylvania C. H. Apl 17th 1847" from George Gilmer to his mother, Mary Gilmer, at Leigh near Hardin's Tavern, Albemarle, Virginia responding to her letter expressing amazement that George was not aware that she planned to sell Leigh in the fall, George pointing out that she had not told him of her plans earlier and telling of some hurt feelings on his part, of his wife Jane expecting a child, offers advise to his brother [Wi...

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter, page 1
  8. Letter - April 23, 1845

    Letter with no heading or date (the date derived from the postmark in Lynchburg) from Isabelle Gilmer to her sister-in-law, Emma Breckinridge, at Fincastle in Botetourt County, Virginia, in response to learning of the death of Lucy Gilmer at Leigh. She expresses her sympathy to Emma and her mother, tells of her household and her new baby, her plans to dress in black for mourning, mentions a doctor friend who wants to leave Scottsville and move to...

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter, page 1
  9. Letter - April 5, 1842

    Letter headed "Catawba April 5, 1842" from Emma Breckinridge to her sister Lucy at Leigh, Hardin's Tavern, Albemarle, Virginia. This long letter tells of plans for the wedding of Lizzie Watts and encourages Lucy to plan to attend as Lizzie wants her to be a bridesmaid. Mr. B has offered to advance money for her wedding clothes. There is discussion of loans not being repaid, and Emma suggests this letter be destroyed after reading. James Watts se...

    Record Type: Archive

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  10. Letter - April 7, 1841

    Letter headed "Catawba April 7th 1841" from Emma Gilmer Breckinridge to her mother Mary Gilmer, to be carried by Mr. Minor who is leaving Fincastle and heading for Albemarle. The portion of this letter that would have contained an address has been severed. Emma is requesting her mother to pay a long visit in the summer, Mrs. Breckinridge is quite ill with the dropsy, comments about the possibility of brother William Gilmer's prospect for marriage...

    Record Type: Archive

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  11. Letter - April 9, 1840 (Year written is not shown, set by context)

    Letter headed "Edgemont April 9th" (no year stated-from context it is 1840) addressed to Emma W. Breckinridge, at Catawba near Fincastle, Botetourt from H. H. G., a cousin of Emma's. She describes her close relations with Mr. B. helping her while in Norfolk and gives information about various persons using only their first names, so identification is difficult. Mentions Harmer and Bell and the loss of Bell's baby. Also mentions that Emma has a ne...

    Record Type: Archive

    letter
  12. Letter - August 16, 1843

    Letter headed "Catawba August 16th 1843" from Emma Gilmer Breckinridge to her sister, Lucy, at Leigh near Hardins Tavern, Albemarle and telling that Peach (Gilmer) and Mary (Breckinridge) left today to go to Oaklands and take music lessons for three weeks, William Watts has been ill at the Sweet Springs and has been ill all summer, "poor Miss Nancy died last Friday" and was buried at Mr. Tayloe's place next to Mrs. Dick, tells of losing their pre...

    Record Type: Archive

    letter
  13. Letter - August 18, 1839

    Letter headed "Pittsylvania Ct. H. Aug 18th 1839" from George Gilmer to his mother, Mary Gilmer, at Hardin's Tavern, Albemarle County, Virginia. George has returned from 5 or 6 weeks at the White Sulphur and Hot Springs. Still looking for a wife (mentions Miss Martha Daniel and Miss Mary Baldwin). Interesting characterization of Harmer's wife, Isabella, who is pushing Harmer to return to Albemarle County so she can be with family and friends: she...

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter
  14. Letter - August 1842

    A letter, without a heading, written by Emma Gilmer Breckinridge to her sister, Lucy Gilmer, who was visiting at Oaklands with her friend Lizzie Watts, telling Lucy to be sure Mary brings all frocks and aprons with her, also a couple of missing volumes of the "Life of Scott" and news about visits made in the neighborhood.

    Record Type: Archive

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  15. Letter - August 22, 1842

    Letter headed "Leigh August 22nd 1842" from Mary Gilmer at Hardins Tavern, Virginia, to her daughter Emma Breckinridge at Catawba near Fincastle with many interesting events and persons names mentioned. Tells of going to church, changing preachers, a camp meeting going on in the area for the servants (slaves) and writing a permission slip for one of her slaves to be allowed to join the church [Baptist],discussion of the crops that will be harvest...

    Record Type: Archive

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  16. Letter - August 24, 1841

    Letter with no heading from Mary Gilmer (and partially written by Emma Walker Breckinridge) to Lucy Gilmer at Judge Leigh's near Halifax Court House, Halifax, Virginia, telling of Frank's progress with his illness, using his changing pulse rates as a measure of his general health. some family news, mentions several people going to the Springs and the wisdom of considering such a trip as adequate treatment for many illnesses.

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter
  17. Letter - August 28, 1843

    Letter headed "Catawba August [28th] 1843" from Emma Gilmer Breckinridge to her sister, Lucy, at Leigh near Hardins Tavern, Albemarle, telling that Mr. B had just returned home with William Watts who was still sick, but improving slowly, and about "the greatest fresh (flood) Thursday night [August 24, 1843] that has ever been here" and tells of washed out bridges, crops, and mill disabled, and expects this will be "a disastrous season for farmers...

    Record Type: Archive

    Letter, page 1
  18. Letter - August 8, 1844

    Letter dated August 8, 1844 from Mary Ann Breckinridge at Catawba, near Fincastle, to her aunt, Lucy Gilmer at Leigh near Hardins Tavern, Albemarle, Virginia, with some family news. The larger portion of the letter was written by Emma Breckinridge, Mary's mother, with an assorted listing of family news, preachers visiting, stories about her children, clothing for the children, and various visitors.

    Record Type: Archive

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  19. Letter - December 12, 1839

    Letter headed Dec 12th 1839 and mailed at Hardin's Tavern, from Mary Gilmer to her daughter, Emma Breckinridge, at Catawba near Fincastle. Account of her journey home from Botetourt by way of the Watts family at Oaklands, the visits with friends in Bedford County, on to Amherst Court House, Nelson Court House, etc.. Tells of her son William taking cattle to Richmond to sell for a better price then available locally, and mentions prices of wheat, ...

    Record Type: Archive

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  20. Letter - December 20, 1837

    Letter headed "Catawba Dec. 20th 1837" from Emma Breckinridge to her sister, Lucy Gilmer, at Mr. Persico's Seminary, in Richmond, Virginia. A single page note stating that candy is being sent along with the letter to be delivered "politeness of Col. Burwell". Mentions being at Grove Hill; "Ma" has been ill, but is better; brother George is receiving favorable accounts of work in his profession.

    Record Type: Archive

    letter

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