William Audley Couper papers

feel how wrong it is that any one should trifle with good health. It is a blessing not to be slighted. I do hope & trust you beloved girls will be careful of your health - I would I could give you one of my long letters, but I could not write today - & I wish to get M^r Woolley to take these letters & have them mailed in B for me. As Charles is our only boy & M^r Dunham being sick I do not like to take him Charles from him.

Your little brothers are quite well — Willie had a little fever last Saturday but William was here yesterday & said he was quite well again. Dear Tootee & the rest are in good health. My health of body is perfectly good. Mrs Gale is better than I have seen her for some months. Kiss over & over again my precious Georgia & Appy for me & tell them to kiss you as many times Your Brothers - Cousins & Mrs. Gale send much love to you all. Never since or before I heard of the illness of your dear Father in 1849 have I suffered in mind what I have endured the last three weeks. But God! is good — is merciful — as yet I am enabled to bear my trials, great as they are — they can be far worse.

Do you my beloved children try & be a comfort to your devoted mother. And may the God! of mercies permit us all to meet again in happiness is the constant prayer of your devoted Mother.

AM King

[centered] 6

for me. The oranges are not good - they cost me 50 cts. - I did not ask Dunham to take my chest of silver - perhaps it will be just as safe in the house. William has just been here he is well & says he has written to you. Amanda sends you a dress which she begs you will have made up & wear out this summer for her sake she sends you much love. Rhinas [sic] things are all in one bundle the cake put in the trunk is mine for you. If you choose you can send for either of my tin cases to keep your bread in -- the negro shoes is for Alfred -- Jimper did not give me his measure. Should he be in want you can head for a new [pair] for him. Ira Cunningham was here this morning one of those families lost every thing they had by the fire this morning - it is a true saying - we know not what a day may bring forth - they went to bed last night surrounded by comforts - now they have not even a suit of clothes to wear. These fires are becoming serious & alarming - Do my child beg & order my servants to be ever on their guard & do you be the same. I wonder if Hamilton Couper would not stay with you until William returns? Do Tootee ask him to do so - Should any thing happen to you in Williams [sic] absence what would I do? Kiss over & over again those sweet children for me. The medicine you will find altogether that which William sends you as well as that for Retreat I fear you will find this letter very confused - but I have been writing it by snatches - I want to say a great deal to the servants & yet I do not know what more I can say I implore of them to be careful of their health & conduct & add no more than they can help to my troubles Muriate of Iron would I think be a safe tonic for all who have been so sick - beginning at 6, 7 or 8 drops in Camomile flower tea three times a day & gradually increasing one drop a day until it reaches 20. 1 w half tumbler of tea is enough at a time. Once more adieu my sweet child - God bless & preserve you all Your devoted Mother AM King

see & hear all that is passing for your amusement. I [am] going to stop now until the one o clock train comes in from N. Y.

I had a call this morning from Mrs Picot & her daughter Caroline - & whilst entertaining them our dear Lordy came his arrival lifted some of the weight off of me, he tells me your dear Father had not arrived when he left N.Y. but was hourly expected. Should he indeed come I hope to see him by tomorrow. I am just going to propose to Lord some way of getting the dear girls here. It would be hard that William should not see sisters who love him sinerely. M^r Corbin called this morning - Lord tells me that he saw M^r & Mrs JH Couper last evening - all well & left N.Y. this morning for the Springs. My own sweet Tootee - even if all things go well with me this summer I shall not be able to enjoy it for thinking of you & those precious children. Do my Tootee be careful of your own health & of theirs. Lord tells me Malley was well a few days ago. It seems hard that he could not come along with Lord - but his education must not be neglected. I must finish this letter before night - Should your beloved Father come I will write to you again on Monday. We are staying at Jones' & are comfortably lodged We find it expensive & shall leave here as soon as possible - Kiss those beloved children a thousand times for me. Shake hands with all my servants who are doing their duty. Tell them how much I desire they will try & behave well. My love to Mrs Gale & regards to Mr Dunham. Amanda & M^r Woolley seem never to tire seeing sights - they are off again - whilst I remain at home writing to you my love. Lord, Floyd Tip - Amanda & M^r Woolley send much love. William has written to you Rhina sends lots of howdyes [sic] - God! bless & protect you my sweet my best of daughters is the prayer of your fond & devoted Mother

AM King

at home. I would be better satisfied - I suppose you received dear Butlers [sic] letter of the 16^th May. It is strange. I have had no letters from your Father. I thank God! they were well when Butler wrote. Give Render Davys [sic] Daguerreotype & keep for me dear Butlers [sic].

It is now time for dressing for tea & I must close this scrawl. God! bless you my precious Child - Kiss the dear babies for me. My love to poor Mrs. Gale. Remember me to all my negros [sic], especially to the house & yard negros [sic] ^ Pussy, Toney & old Cupid. Tell all they are never absent from my thoughts. I shall tremble when ever I get a letter from you - fearing to hear news. Georgia.,Florence, Appy & Rhina send lots of love to all The three former are enjoying the luxury of having a servant once more that they can call one - I fear poor Rhina will enjoy very little idleness _______

It is very unfortunate that William did not see the girls - the guard chains are here - I think you will like them. Lord sends you much love as do also Floyd & Tip - I must now stop - Praying God! to bless you all - I am your devoted Mother

AM King

will not neglect to send to Retreat. The Turnip seed will have to be purchased in Savannah I need only to add that I give William & yourself full power to act for me in every way.

Your sisters & the boys are quite well. Rhina is wonderfully improved in health. I think I would be quite well if I had you all around me - & I knew all was well at home. I must now conclude as all is ready for our excursion to the table mountain - your sisters - brothers Aunt & Uncle all send love - Rhina begs not to be forgotten Give my love to dear William - a thousand kiss's to your precious babes - love to Mrs Gale & remembrances to all the servants & negros - God bless you my own darling child - take care of your precious health for the sake of your devoted Mother

A. M. King

I find I can scarcely spell - do over look all mistakes. be sure & give me the most minute account of yourself & all that concerns you, & me. I fear I shall not be able to accomplish the fine plan of making preserves there is not a peach in this part of the world and there may be none in N Haven.

I have never doubted your voice or talent - I have only feared the lack of confidence in yourself - If you had a little more brass I am sure you would improve astonishingly -

Kiss your dear sisters for their and your ever affectionate father

T. Butler King

My Dear Florence - Since writing the above letter the mail from New York of the 9^th May has arrived bringing your dear letter of the 3^d - . I thank you with all my heart for it - It makes me quite happy. I will write a long letter in reply by the next mail -

Ever your affectionate father

T. Butler King

[written in pencil, in square brackets, top left] Miss Florence B. King c/o Mr. Charles Picot Philadelphia, Pa.

[top right] 1^st June 1852

My own beloved Florence

I doubt much this letter finding you in Philadelphia - as in my last letter I requested you if possible to leave No 15 before M^r Picot took his departure for France. I have written to your Aunt Mary today on the subject of your remaining at least for a while under her care. Oh! my own dear Flora it does seem as if the sick-ness on this place is never to be done. Poor Sukey died this morning. Liddy & Linda are yet in a very precarious state. I have great dread lest the death of their mother will have a serious effect on them. We attribute poor Sukeys [sic] death to her grief for Mily. She seemed to bear Emolines [sic] death as well as we could expect, but when Mily died she seemed plunged into a state of apathy from which nothing could rouse her, on Saturday her fever returned & we could do nothing to save her. We were thrown into great alarm on Tuesday last by a singu-lar turn in Franks [sic] case. D^r Wilson had prescribed for Frank then he was 4 days under D^r Dunham & considered by him as well as by Cousin A. and M^r Woolly [sic] to be out of danger. When all at once he began to bleed from the inner part of his cheeks — his gums — black spots appear-ed all over his body - William Couper pronounced it to be "ship fever". We had him carried into the old cotton barn — and as Pussy had been his nurse all along she had to go there too. We sent for D^r Wilson — who never came until one oclock that night — & greatly re-

[centered] 6 are entertaining M^r Woolley in the passage. This is where we sit in the forenoon & until tea - a very delightfully cool shaded spot one drawing room opens into this Hall, two beautiful drawing rooms a dining room & his office down stairs. But I will tell you all about this when we meet. I thought when I again wrote I would have had leisure & given you a guiet letter - but over dear cousin being here all day, & the children all talking so much I am confused. I often think of you & your precious children. My darlings how I long to see you, you my precious Tootee & those sweet babes & my noble son William. Last Friday when the wind blew so hard here - how my heart trembled for dear William - God! grant he may long ere this reaches you be safe with you & those little darlings. What would I not give to have a peep at you all - you my beloved children - poor Mrs Gale, my good negros [sic] - my pretty birds - my garden, even the old house & dirt. I know my child you will do all in your power for me I only hope you will not overtax your strength. If the negros [sic] can only be restored to health, if they behave well & if the seasons are favorable - I hope I may be able to meet the expenses of this to me terrible & eventful year. God! knows what is best for us. My mind is still disturbed - but I sleep better, this is some comfort. Kiss over & over again my precious babes. Kiss William too for me. May God! reward us him for his kindness to me. My love to Mrs Gale - Shake by the hand my good Pussy - Clementine, Marise, Mom Jane, Toney, Quam &c &c &c Tell them all the kind messages your own kind heart may think of suggest --- Cousin A., M^r W., Mary, Henry, G. F. V. F. Tip each & every one send their love kisses &c - Rhina is terribly indignant at Rose's conduct. She sends lots of love to all her family & friends. Georgia began a letter to you & but I rather think she will be too late for this evenings [sic] mail. She has to entertain M^r Woolley. Remember me to M^r Dunham - When you go to Retreat again pray enquire particularly after the little negros [sic]. I fear in all this sickness poor Affers [sic] children are sadly neglected. How could Rose be so ungrateful to me? It is probable she will spite me by neglecting her children I think Pussy? deserves the highest praise, & she shall be rewarded if I live to return. I must now really stop my own baby. Oh! my Tootee how I do long to see you all again. It seems years since we parted. I hope to hear again from you ere I leave this Praying the choicest blessings of God! on you I am your devoted Mother - A M King

[top right] Hamilton 5^th June 1852 —

My beloved Father,

I have but a few moments but hasten to write a few lines to tell you of my dear Mother -- She wrote you yesterday and told you all that has passed within the last two months at Retreat -- Her health has suffered severely and D^r Curtis says there is no remedy for her present state of nervous derangement except either change of scene and climate and after much entreaty and feeling herself that neither mind or body can long stand such nervousness — she has consented very reluctantly to do as he advises and as we anxiously beg first she thought of going alone with Mrs & Mr Woolley who I know would do all that is kind and in their power to take care of her and the dear boys — But my dear father I think you would prefer that my husband your son in law - should be her escort — so as he thinks the same and my dear Mother only refuses as she fears

lieved us by saying that all their alarming symptoms had been occasioned by some disorganization of his blood vessels, that all those black spots were the opening of veins in the skin & that he was bleeding as much internally as he was from his mouth. That it was not contagious was a great relief. And we felt content to part with poor Frank if with him this awful complaint would cease. Thou throughout the whole the poor boy is composed quiet & uncomplaining — all he seems to care for is some thing to eat. We let him have whatever he fancies & strange to say he is not only alive but the bleeding is less. What I should have done had I been alone all this time I know not. My dear Cousin & her good hus-band are devoted to my sick - Mr. Woolley leaves me tomorrow but our dear Cousin will remain a short time longer with me. They had intended starting for the North by the 1^st of July. May God! bless & reward them for their devotion to my poor suffering negros [sic] —

Your dear little brothers are quite well - poor little fellows they have had a long holiday now, for of course I have no time to attend to their lessons —

I am distressed at not having heard from either of you by the last mail - you must not neglect to write to my me my darlings - for I need all the comfort your letters can give me. I cannot bear the idea of bringing you home in July, or August. I must try & find the means of keeping you all at the North until it will be safe for you to return home - This is my present feeling—Oh! my Florence if you were here you would