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February 17, 1878 Martin D. Coalter to his Aunt, F. C. Brown Bellevue, Va. Am going to school at Tampatike. Uncle Tomlin is here most every night – other news of family and friends. March 27, 1878 S.V. (Mary Southall Venable, formerly Mrs. J.T. Brown) to Fanny A trip to Petersburg, made miserable by sleeping with Mr. V. at the hotel "bouncing beds – shook me like a joggling board" and his snoring . . . "I like Mrs. V. much better than I expected." Thompson is splendid . . . so genteel and quiet and sensible. March 4, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to Mother Petersburg, Va. Enclosed is my report card – not a good one. Two short poems he has written in body of letter. March 15, 1878 J.T. Brown to Mother, Petersburg, Va. I only go to Miss Ella's occasionally. Would like your permission to spend some Friday nights away. Mr. McCabe said you must write him about this. I am glad you are coming; will you say on Friend Street? April 2, 1878 H. Peronneau Brown to wife, Mrs. H. P. Brown Bedford, Va. I expect to come down on Monday the 8th . . . to be "with you in the old house for a day or two." If you wish the fruit trees planted before you come up, let me know." May 7, 1878 J.T. Brown to Mother Petersburg, Va. Love to Father and Mammy Braxton. Has magnolias for you. Mrs. McCahees gone to the temperance lecture. Name puppy Flush or Tasso. May 16, 1878 Mary S. Brown to Willcox, Charlottesville, Va. Gives a biographical sketch of John Thompson Brown's life. He died in 1864. The sketch includes accounts of Harpers Ferry and Civil War battles, including Gettysburg. May 18, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Willie Beasley and John Critcher are planning to go up with me … "Have my room fitted up with two beds." Examinations commence soon … "Out of the 8 boys at school, 4 are from Mr. McCabe's house." May 28, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Baseball, billiards, and school. Tell Mammy I can't write to her now, but the next letter shall be to her all to herself. "Braxton leaves for Media tomorrow … he certainly is an obliging servant." June 6, 1878 H. P. Brown to son J. T. Brown Bedford, Va. Study well for your examinations. Mr. Judkins says that the Friend Street yard is much overgrown; go around there on Saturday and see what can be done to make the walks look better. June 8, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown, Petersburg, Va. Want to stay longer and if "at 17 I am not large enough to take care of myself … when will I be?" Would like to go to Old Point for July 4th. John Dunn's terrier Pax bit me on the hand. I need a new everyday suit. June 28, 1878 H. P. Brown to his son, J. T. Brown Bedford, Va. Preparations for the visit of your Cousin Cassie. Get money from Mr. Judkins for your Fortress Monroe excursion. Mammy Jane had better come with you. June 30, 1878 Lillie Quarler to 'friend' Petersburg, Va. When you are through with the letter from Mrs. Venable please return it; the Methodists borrowed it and only returned it a few days ago. I am very tired of sewing. July 19, 1878 T.D. Witherspoon to Willie Petersburg, Va. I have been trying to locate a job for you – unsuccessfully. Would like to have you here under my ministry again. August 26, 1878 Brother John Coalter to Fanny C. Brown Walnut Hill, Va. I have no money to visit you. Maybe next summer. Will sent the yeast powders. October 6, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Mr. McCabe has seventy boys, "the largest attendance I have ever known him to have." Am going on a partridge hunt next Saturday. September 17, 1878 Alfred Jones to Mrs. Brown, Petersburg, Va. Thanks her for having recommended Lizzie to him and possibly him to her. He is ecstatic at having won her love and looks forward to their marriage. He may well leave Old Street for a better job opportunity. October 9, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown, Petersburg, Va. There are two new boys here, both very nice. Please write Mr. McCabe you permission for me to spend Friday nights with Bill or Frank. October 7, 1878 Roper Davis to Mrs. Brown Petersburg, Va. Thanks so much for your hospitality. Sorry that Thompson couldn't bring his horse down, "as school drudgery is awful after the first week." Mr. McCabe opened with a pretty large school … "with a good many small boys." October 7, 1878 H. P. Brown to his son, J. T. Brown Bedford, Va. Hope you are studying hard, especially Latin and Greek "so that you may be well prepared to enter college." Additional Fatherly advice about money and religion. October 9, 1878 J. T. Brown to H. P. Brown, Petersburg, Va. Needs money and discusses school. October 12, 1878 Bettie Braxton to Aunt School and give love to servants and family. "We are all once more fixed at school." Please send advanced French grammar if you have it. October 14, 1878 H. P. Brown to son J.T. Brown Bedford, Va. Praises teachers: Mr. Taylor had an Uncle who was a college acquaintance of mine and who was killed in the war; Mr. Turstall from you description will be very good. "A Christian boy with a good sound head and a liberal education" has a noble start in life. I need more workers on the farm. Check into availability of some for me. October 20, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Hope to go over to Richmond. Please give permission for that and for my dropping of French. I will write to mammy soon.

November 2, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Am just back from a visit in Richmond, where I stayed with Cousin Cassie and also Aunt Alice. I have followed your advice and have not had a playing card in my hand this session. November 17, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Enjoyed a nice tea with friends, walked out to walnut hill yesterday also. Willie has been promised a job at the 99 cent store just before Christmas. I wrote to mammy last week. November 20, 1878 H.P. Brown to J.T. Brown Bedford, Va. Anniversary of the death of my Father; would have been 76 years old had he lived. The carriage has been painted and repaired. November 21, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Didn't know you objected to my playing cards. My schedule is school five mornings a week plus a walk around town, and a hunt on Saturday. November 23, 1878 H.B. Barns to Cousin Fanny Stafford Courthouse, Va. Taxes will be paid and I will send you receipts. Your land contains 86 acres, about 4 acres cleared, the rest in undergrowth. If you would like to sell, I will be happy to attend to it for you. December 1, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Uncle John moved all the books from the office to Walnut Hill. Does Father want them sent up? December 2, 1878 Report card of J.T. Brown. December 4, 1878 Sister MSV and brother John Coalter to sister Fanny C. Brown, Discusses Christmas preparations, travels to Petersburg, farming, and banking endeavors. December 5, 1878 Sallie A. Donnan to friend Fanny C. Brown Petersburg, Va. New of friends and relatives. December 2, 1878 H.P. Brown to J.T. Brown Will write Mr. McCabe so you can come home this Saturday before Christmas, I miss you every day. December 8, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Glad Father has a new horse. I am going to bring Tasso with me to hunt – he never fails to find a bird that is killed. December 15, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Please tell Father to have two horses at Evington to meet me, as I am bringing one of my school friends to spend Christmas with us. Tasso is a splendid hunting dog – I will bring him also. Next Saturday will see me safe at Ivy Cliff. December 24, 1878 Stanley to Aunt Stanley, Va. Our Christmas cloths are being assembled.

January 3, 1879 Bettie to Aunt Old Church, Va. Hope your holidays were as nice as ours, we expect Cousin Cassie tomorrow. I am going to Richmond to have my teeth fixed. Uncle John is here with us. January 11, 1879 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Glad Aunt Lucy is better. Uncle John still in Hanover. Went ice skating at Puddledock today, and to a hop in town Friday night. I'd like to call on Miss Sallie Doggett occasionally if I have your permission. Everyone seems to think her a very nice young lady. Has Father housed his ice yet? Don't worry; I have enough cover. I have seen Willie but once. January 26, 1879 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Sorry I forget about the prunes, but will send some tomorrow. Please tell me how to spell Dr. Hyatt's [Waits] name so I can write him that I'm coming to have my teeth fixed. How shall I pay him? February 4, 1879 H. P. Brown to J. T. Brown Bedford, Va. Your Mother and I expect to start for Baltimore. Your Mammy is going to send down a box of bacon for Jane Bright. Let your Mammy Jane know of it. February 7, 1879 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Cousin Cassie writes of meeting you at the depot when the train stopped for 15 minutes. Hope you reached Baltimore safely. Thanks for allowing me to go to Bill's. Robin season is coming so we could do a little hunting each day as well as studying. February 10, 1879 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown, Petersburg, Va. This is the first day of examinations. Rose at one o'clock – as I do not study on Sunday. Willie and I went to Bill Beasely's for dinner on Sunday. I would like to have my horse in town. Please fix it. February 13, 1879 Unknown sender to Fanny C. Brown Aunt Lucy has been very sick with head and face pains and a high fever. The doctor told me what to do and I hope she gets better. Sissy has done all the waiting on her. The doctor says Aunt Lucy's illness is erysipelas [?]. She sends much love to you. February 13, 1879 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. I hope you will be here Friday. Mrs. McCabe has said nothing about your coming but Father would prefer this to Mrs. Donnan's. I had dinner at Walnut Hill today with Uncle John and Willie – saw some robins there. February 19, 1879 H.P. Brown to his son [J.T. Brown] This is your birthday, all good wishes. Have been kindly entertained by your Uncle and Aunt Turner, and have seen numerous acquaintances. I think you should remain at Mrs. McCabe's and not to go Will Beasley's. You will study better there – hope you will do well on your examinations.

March 7, 1879 M.B. to Fanny Post card saying basic hello. Sent shirts to Forest. Aunt L is better. Flower Garden looks nice. Come soon. March 7, 1879 H.P. Brown to son Bedford, Va. We are well here except for Cousin Margaret Barnes. Your Uncle reports from Baltimore that while there you lost your pocketbook with $28. Be more particular about money – keep regular accounts. "Be constantly and earnestly a good boy … read your bible and pray to god for his blessings …" March 9, 1879 Lizzie Barnes and Margaret Barnes to Fanny, Letter discusses clothing, dignity, family affairs, and other. "Tell brother I will be his first client when he attains to the dignity of a lawyer." Aunt L not well. Mrs. Organ and Mrs. Echols died. March 9, 1879 John Coalter to Fanny C. Brown Walnut Hill, Va. Went to the state fair but didn't see anybody I wanted to see. Got a room at the exchange. Virginia writes that she has not been able to get a teacher. She also needs a servant and asks that I send her one – impossible as the "negroes will not leave sweet Petersburg." Finished getting in my peanuts Friday but have lost all my cabbages. March 10, 1879 Unknown sender to Fanny C. Brown, Disappointed that Mr. B didn't come Saturday – hope to see you soon. Peyton is anxious to get his seed planted. Please get me some yellow cotton and a dozen spools of thread. Aunt L is better, but she been very sick. March 15, 1879 H.P. Brown to Fanny C. Brown Bedford, Va. Reached home safely last night. Miss Lucy well but Margaret somewhat unwell. Flower garden by the house has been tended. Also, Irish potatoes and tomatoes have been planted. Weather very fine. March 17, 1879 H.P. Brown to Fanny C. Brown Bedford, Va. Sent a postal card to you in Petersburg from Forest on Saturday. Have not been so well, but am progressing. My regards to your relatives in Hanover. March 19, 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother Letter and report card from University School. Discusses regular affairs. March 21, 1879 H.P. Brown to Fanny C. Brown Bedford, Va. On the whole I have improved very much. March 23, 1879 H.P. Brown to Fanny C. Brown Bedford, Va. Was quite unwell last week but much better today. Weather fine and everything is coming up. Walker and Marcella have colds. Tomlin had a chill last week plus his harness was stolen. March 23, 1879 H.P. Brown to Fanny C. Brown Bedford, Va. Surprised to learn that you have not heard from me. I was quite unwell last week, but am better now. Beverly planted the potatoes. Glad you are enjoying yourself. Thompson wrote today – seems well. March 27, 1879 Marcella M. Barnes to Fanny C. Brown Glad to hear you will be up on the 9th. Sister and Aunt Lucy both in bed – all have been sick. I still have a most awful cough. Would like for you to get me a dress plus 4 yards of something to make Mr. Barnes a summer coat. Someone broke into his barn and stable. Mr. Brown keeps to himself. March 29, 1879 H.P. Brown to Fanny C. Brown, Bedford, Va. Not well for a day or two but am taking good care of myself. Miss Lucy well except for uncomfortable cough. Weather is fine and the rain, although not abundant, is helpful. March 30, 1879 H.P. Brown to Fanny C. Brown Bedford, Va. Health, Episcopal practice and doctrine. Look forward to her return April 9.

April 1, 1879 Fanny C. Brown Receipt for pair of andirons. April 6, 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, F.C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Shopped yesterday. Will need to buy a valise before I go on to the university. Have been playing baseball. Will probably stop in Fredericksburg on my way from Baltimore and possibly Richmond also, to have my teeth fixed. How is Tasso? I do want to go to Cobbs Island with Roper before heading for the mountains. April 11, 1879 Lizzie B. Lacy to Cousin Fanny C. Brown Ellwood, Va. Mama has been quite unwell, suffering from nervous depression. Jimmy's death in the winter and my approaching marriage have contributed to it. My wedding is June 4 and you must come. It will be quiet, just a few neighbors and friends. We will then take the train at Fredericksburg and go straight to Petersburg. Thompson must welcome me there – a familiar face amount so many strangers. News of Father and the boys and other family members. April 11, 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, F.C. Brown, Arrived at midnight and found Uncle waiting at the depot. Aunt Turner had put away a nice supper for me. Today I went to Uncle Wilcox's office and to a tailor from whom I ordered a suit. Hamilton took me to the wharf where I watched the shipping. Sweet little Fannie and Elsie sat on my knees and watched pictures. April 17, 1879 'Hay' to Mrs. H.P. Brown Charlottesville, Va. Your letter came last night. Hope to accomplish the delightful project. Will need Jennie Shaw to be maid in my place. Charlie is a mischievous monkey – he refuses to let me go to see you. I'll enclose some slips for you – my flowers have been a great pleasure. After a week with you will go to Lynchburg and Helen Rawlings – and buy some new clothing. April 19, 1879 Helen to Mrs. H.P. Brown Petersburg, Va. Shirts are finished and I will send them to you. The cost is $7.00. Nannie hurt her finger very badly and I have had a cold, but we are both better now. All are well at unto Sallie's. We had a teachers meeting at the church last night. I'm anxious about my S.S. class. Mr. Osborne was elected SS. Superintendent. I send you a few geranium seeds. April 22, 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, F.C. Brown Petersburg, Va. I had a splendid time in Baltimore, saw every place of interest. Also Hamilton and I went to Washington and saw many sights, including a visit to the House of Representatives and to the government greenhouse, the most wonderful and beautiful place I was ever in. Also I saw the telephone in operation Let me know about the Pryor's store bill. April 25, 1879 H.P. Brown to 'my dear son' Bedford, Va. Have learned of your return from Baltimore, to school. Your Aunt Mary Venable and Miss [Amy Watson?] have been here since Tuesday. Am sorry that Will Barnes has left your Uncle John. Circa April 28, 1879 J.T. Brown to his Mother. Petersburg Family news. Baseball team. April 29, 1879 William P. Braxton to Va. Braxton Post Card "Poor old pa has been too poorly to even write a post card … love to Aunt Fanny, Uncle P. and the ladies upstairs."

May 1, 1879 Hay to Mrs. Brown Lynchburg, Va. Sending Va.'s dress. Miss Peggy traveled well with me. I grieved at leaving you. Will call on Mrs. Venable when she arrives. Have attended Presbytery service of Dr. Langhorne. Am with Helen and have told her of your fine hospitality. 4 May 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, Fanny C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Bought clothes in Baltimore and had pictures taken. Intended to go out to Walnut Hill today, but its raining too hard for that. 5 May 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, Fanny C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Would like to board with Cousin Delia but prefer the room I have already engaged next to Roper's. Next year we can get rooms on the lawn 'under Cousin Delia's jurisdiction.' Circa 5 May 1879 J.T. Brown to his Mother Petersburg Baseball team went to Richmond and played against the Richmond Club of Richmond. "I wish you would think over not liking me to go to see girls Sunday evenings." Willie should stick with the Annapolis school. 6 May 1879 Susy to Aunt Stanley I practice three hours a day now. Also have been helping Ma plant peas, and yesterday Ma and I worked six rows – long ones – of cabbage. Charlie and Miss Ellen Burrall stayed over night. We've hear from Frank and also from Thompson. Grandpa is well. Best love to the Browns as well as Mammie, Aunt Lucy, Aunt Peggy, and all the Barnes nation. 15 May 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, Fanny C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Am studying trigonometry for examination Saturday. Am going to Dr. Mahoney about my teeth; last time I was there I sat in a chair for five solid hours. 15 May 1879 Balsora Barnes to Mrs. H.P. Brown Falmouth Hope Peggy is better now. Margaret is better. I have erysipelas in my face and ears. I'm glad Mrs. B. is better. I mean to accept your kind offer. Tell my dear sister to keep up and be cheerful – I hope we meet once again on this earth. 21 May 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, Fanny C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Exams will be over around June 26. then I'd like to go down to Stanley for a few days. 23 May 1879 Lillie Quarters to 'my dear friend' [F.C. Brown] Petersburg, Va. Sis Sallie has been very ill for five weeks with facial abscess, but is much better. The ladies made about $100 with their Japanese tea party. Suppose you know of the deaths of Mr. Roper and David Potts. Regards to Mr. B., who we hope has recovered. 26 May 1879 J.T. Brown to Mother, Fanny C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Examinations are near. Had a nice time in Richmond and on the weekend with Cousin Cassie.