Letter: Mary Pleasants Brooke and Mary Matthews Brooke to Sarah B. Farquhar, undated

Dear Sarah

Sister says I must write to thee as she is trying to get a quilt out today that has picked our fingers to the quick, we have have not had much help, as some have quilts in the frame and others are getting ready to do the same thing.

I have not been to see any of our friends (Hannah Peives excepted in sleighing time) since I was in Alexandria and but twice at meeting, yet I do intend to turn out as soon as the roads are palpable for wheels.

Father proposed this morning that I should get in with brother and go to Washington, take the steamboat and pay you a little visit, but I think it likely if he had thought I would have taken him at his word he would have sought out some difficulties to throw in my way, yet if there was a safe and comfortable conveyance he would help to fix me off very cheerfully well knowing the busy time that is nearly at hand when I must be here.

Richard Dorsey has his sale on 3d day and expects to leave the neighborhood on 6th day, we all feel sorry to part with them, but even the nisest of mene have dreams that they never realize, and I think Richard is counting his chickens too fast, but we do sincerely wish them well.

I dreamed last night of leading Ann and walking round the hill before the door and she was talking all the time very sweetly and looking up in my face it awoke me, and lo I found the vision had fled and left me the prey of strong coffee that kept me nervous for along time after, I do make many weak resolves about my suppers but the exhilarating perfumes of the coffee pot crumbles all my determination of the past into near nothing and again the [t?] goes to her dream.

I have not seen my little grandson since the snow left us, it feels quite a trial but 1 must be resigned to that which we cannot control every account says he still knows how to cry.

Thy stockings will be sent by Brother, and left at Granville,

All our friends here and here away in usual health, Ruth Birdsall has been ill and though some better yesterday, cousin Debby thought not out of danger, she is the 3d one of the family that the have had to nurse for several weeks this winter, Father is very smart rides every day, and at least twice a week is out hunting, thy old friend Chappelan Brewer staid here on first day night an joined him in the chase on second day and at 5 oclock 5 of them came home as hungry as wolves and our dinner had been kept on the stove.

untill all the "[s?]" as Sukey used to say was dryed up

Thy aunts P and H, send their love and say they often talk of thee

Well what about thy Baltimore visit, and when does Charles go on his traveles and how long will he be absent? how is his health and how art thou? how is Ann progressing, and has she learned to say Grandmother, if I had wings

My love embraces you all thy affectionate Mother M. P. Brooke

My dear sister I can not see how I can take time from my quilt to finish this I am so very anxious to see how it will look once it is nearly done, I expect thee will feel quite envious of my having such pretty ones when thee comes up. Deborah Brooke and Sally Lea spent a couple of days with me the first part of the week and helped me so little, so that I feel quite in the humours of putting another in next week and thou had pretty considerable of company for the last week or two though it is so muddy under foot - so that no tardy approach of of Spring weather has not gone as hard with me as common - when I get tired of sewing I take a glass of bitter down with some of the stragglers which quite rests me. but really I have become so accomplished in this game. And the fun of it is all done away, day before yesterday I kept it up sixteen hundred times and concluded it was quite unladylike to give it another blast.

Chappell enquired very affectionately after thee and little Ann. He is a "most monstrous" impertinent gentleman and I cant say I like him very much. Burnes is mostly more refined and intellectual and we get

quite accomplished. So seemed to admire Debby Brooke extremely and could not keep his eyes off of her, when she was playing with any one also.

Tell Charles I do want to see him very much that I may play the [?] and do away the impression of all the [?] things I have said this winter. When is he going to New York. If I could [?] [?] [?] from some of the [?] Ihere I should love to ride down and stay visiting Margaret [El?]. Phebe and a cousin of Margarets from Ohio called and staid an hour which has made my time more limited than ever. He is a very handsome intelligent young gentleman. I tried to get them to stay and help me quilt but they declined the pleasure.

I shall send thy cape down to Granvilles with what was the price of the narrow edging if not over 12 1/2 I would like to have few yds for ruffles to be sent by the first opportunity some of these days I do intend to take time and write a more genteel looking letter [?] I am really quite ashamed of my careless style. Love to Charles and a kiss for little Ann. Thy truly affectionate Sister

M.M.B.

(In pencil: Aunt Mary Hall)

To Sarah B. Farquhar Care of Dr. Farquhar Alexandria