Letter to Mary Gunn

Scope and content:

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a description of the town's response to rumors of a slave insurrection.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Lexington, Va
Jan 6th 1851

Dear Mary
Your letter was duly received about a week ago and as it was in Christmas times I think I shall be excusable that I did not answer it sooner. I have let out school 8 days for Christmas holidays and tomorrow morning I shall again commence beating the brats. I have got almost tired of the business and think this is the last winter I shall work at it in this country.

They had a monstrous fuss round here the other day. A letter was found in the road "purporting to be from one niggar to another holding forth that on such a night they were to rise. 300 men were to attack the Military Institute and get possession of the 20,000 stand of arms in the arsenal there. Then they were to walk into the city of Lexington killing all they could get hold of". You had better believe that it made some stir. he militia was called out and they now parade the streets from night to morning It is curious how quick the people of this country can be roused to a state of watchfulness for their all depends upon this. The blacks must have no chance to make a beginning and they know this. I think the letter was a hoax written by some one to see what they could do, but if it was written by a niggar, it was by some one who knew the state of things at the Institute well and if their plans had succeeded it would have been right hard to stop.

I has been right dull times this Christmas not more than three or four frolicks all the times I wish I could drop in there and see how you all look but I do not think you would any of you know me. I have altered a good deal in the last six months.

How does Uncle Sherman and Sam do this winter? Do you like to live there? How is Aunt Jennette heal and all of Uncle Truman's folks? How is Grandfather's folks? All well and how does he stand the times? I meant to write a letter to Father before this time but there is nothing going on here that will interest him when there is I shall write to him. Tell Susan that I want her to write to me, and I will answer it, but if she don't write soon I will get mad and write a long one to her.

Ellen I suppose is still in New Preston and Oliver is peddling. How does Sam do this winter and is he going to school? Has Father got all of his thrashing done and h9ow is his health?

There is nothing new to write about here so what is the use of writing.

Give my love to all inquiring friends let me know all the news at home when you write. Farewell.
God's blessings attend you
From your brother
G. Gunn

Subjects:

Slavery
Lexington (Va.)—History
Correspondence

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