Springfield 15th April 1842

My ever dear Brother

A length of time has elapsed since I have addressed a line to you – I wrote you sometime in Feb & directed to Charleston care of Mr Chapman – but presume you did not receive it – as you made no mention of it in either of yours March 10th 25th & April 1st all which came to hand at one time – the last written was received the day after being mailed – which was this day fortnight – You are ready to say – & why were they not answered before this late period? I will just say – my hands have been full [–] I have not been found in my bed late in the morning or early at night [–] Dianna was confined the 9th March – which you must know – threw me out of gear she was quite sick two days before her confinement Old Mom Sally was at hand – but we found it necessary to send for a Physician – she had a very good recovery – until 10 days since when she took cold in face– which caused her much suffering – she is now getting over that – & I hope will soon be hearty – She has a daughter – which she calls – Lavenia Elizabeth – you will say perhaps – as Mr W. did – one name would be enough – You may suppose we have music sometimes – mine & hers – not infrequently – they are both crying at the same time – we have living with us this year – a negro boy – belonging to Mr Cogshalls estate we pay nothing for him – as he has not the strength common to his size – we got him to attend to the horse go to Mill – cut wood – & such little matters which we could well do – since Dianna has been down – he nurses – my boy & does a little of every thing that he can do – I find him indeed servisable he is well disposed – & appears willing to do any thing – & seems to be well satisfied – we have now a son of Mr Edmund Gee’s boarding with us & going to school – the Old Woman – you know – can do but little – but has done more on this occasion – than I had any idea she could do. I tried to hire some one to work for us – but could not succeed – she found an effort was to be made – & has done away, the necessity of hiring – I done the ironing – house business – & such like – that we got along pretty well — We are still at Dr L residence but expect to move this day fortnight to our new home – in my last I gave you a long account of it – & wrote you a long letter too I have been once to the place but could then from no idea – the house was not up – & every thing around in a rough state – the house will be quite in an unfinished state when we go into it – but my brother twill be a home – this annual moving – is destructive – I hope you will soon feel like taking a peep at us – I long to see you – I received a long letter from Brother – dated 6th he was quite well – & I would judge in his usual flow of sprits – expected shortly to move into his new store he calculat[e]s on taking his trip to Cheraw [South Carolina]– next month – when he promises to pass a few days with us – I look forward to it with pleasure – & when dear Brother may I hope to see you – the molasses & Biscuits – were received on Saturday last – two hoops – had bursted off the molasses keg – how much had wasted I know not – but judging from the vessels that I put in – think not much was wasted – I regreted exceedingly to has to draw it off – twas a nice keg to keep it in – the molasses is very nice – we thank you much for it and also the Biscuits – they are delightful —

I rejoice dear brother you have returned safe home again – I often thought of you in that distant land among a multitude of strangers – am sorry your health was not more benefitted – You must have fared well in that bountiful country – I could have enjoyed some of those fine oranges but expect – they would have spoilt – most of them. In my letter to you brother I took the liberty – to ask you on your return to Charleston to get me a couple of Spring or Summer dresses & a neat worked collar – should it be convenient when you go to Town again get them for me – I will thank you much – You no doubt have heard too that Elizabeth is engaged hope she may do well – I must say – it surprised me not a little – brother informed me of it – I think I know petty well what he thinks about it – “Says he is a clever young man – knows nothing against his character” I wrote her a long letter while you were gone have received no answer yet – Surely she will write before she returns home – I think she must have spent an agreeable winter in Town among her relations – t’would have afforded me great pleasure to have had it in my power to visit Town this Spring – time seems to be long since I have been there – Should my life be spared ever to see it again twill be greatly altered – the brick edifices – will look fine —

Wishing to write a few lines to Brother – must draw to a close – have spun out my letter to a considerable length too – do write shortly the little girls says “tell Uncle Sam howdy” & do come to see them Little John Eli sits alone – has no teeth yet – has had a severe cold the week past – which has reduced him considerably – & made him pitiful – You would be delighted to see what a yard ful of little chicken as I have rather more than 100 – I am trying to raise some ducks this years – When I get settled at home – will try other poultry too – Remember me very affectionately to Jane & family Mrs Chambers – & all inquiring friends –

As ever your affectionate Sister

M. L. Wilkins

Mr. W. is at school – he would desire to be remembered – did he know I was writing