folder 12: June 1852

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Well they do sit up to an abominable hour here, every one taking tea at 6 oclock, & as it is not dark until near eight all the visiting is done after tea. I had taken a long walk in the morning then this ride & walk in the afternoon made me pretty tired. Amanda]& [M^r Woolley again took tea with m us &c. If The accident yesterday was this. There are sever-al omnibus' here & as many forget for what the sabbath is intended it is the fashion to ride to the spring. One of these huge vehicles just as it was using the Hill - being filled inside - & several on the top, the leaders got unhitch-ed - the wheel horses were unable to drag up the load, the hind wheels got off the road, the driver was drunk as was also many of the inside passen-gers, over went the omnibus & it performed a complete summer set, two poor little boys were instantly killed - as incredible as it may seem the head of one of these poor little fellows was driven through the top of the omnibus - One poor boy still lives with both legs shattered & a piece of glass driven through his neck & face he was reported dead yesterday - but he still lives in the utmost misery, he makes the 3^d boy., the 4^th is brother to Sister Marys [sic] cook- a smart little fellow between the size of Floyd & Tip a pretty boy, he was dashed / as the carriage went over across the road one leg & his collar bone broken, but he is doing very well. One of the two boys who were instantly killed was the youngest son of a widow who 3 weeks ago bu-ried her oldest son a most promising youth. All who were inside the omnibus escaped with life - tho' much cut with broken glass one little girl 1^1/2 years old was covered with blood - but not one drop of her own. Had that this accident happened 50 yds or even 25 yds higher up scarcely one or would have escaped with life, the omnibus not only performed this summerset but then seem'd to bound over again - the horses apparently uninjur-ed. We walked down last evening to look at the wreck - it was a fearful sight - quantities of blood stained the ground, & they say the inside of the carriage was covered with

[top right, in pencil] [4] blood & human hair. This is a very quiet place & this awful accident seems to have struck them all with awe. This morning I spent with dear Amanda - She was been very unwell since yesterday, & M^r Woolley is very little better. I think she has been walking too much - perhaps the water may not agree with her as it is limestone M^r Woolleys [sic] indisposition is from cold. Brother Henry is better - Mary & the girls are quite well, as are also Floyd & Tip, Rhina & myself are about the same. Floyd fully made up his mind to have his Daguerreotype taken for you you [sic] this morning - he regrets the want of his old straw hat & ragged clothes - thinking you would sooner recognise him in those than in his present garb. G. F. & V. have gone out to spend an hour with cousin A. after tea I am to go over again to see Amanda & the others are to make calls. Lord promises to return here on Wednesday. I rather think he finds this place dull, for my own part I would but for conscience sake be willing to stay here until it is time to go home.

29^th I had just got so far when the girls came in from a walk bringing with them your dear letters to George & myself - I was taken with such a tremor I could scarce open the letter. I then began to glance from page to page until - ["]kill'd by a rattlesnake" struck me. I got so nervous I called Georgia & begged her to read the letter first & tell me the contents. After hearing there had been no deaths - I listened to Georgia with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God, for all the blessings you could tell me of. I then insisted on hearing all you could say to Georgia. You promis-ed me dear Tootee to tell me all that concerns you, & yet you try to keep from me that your "cough was worse & that you were troubled again with that pain" My own beloved you can have but little idea how much this troubles me. I feel convinced one of your bad turns were at hand, & William would not be with you. My blessed child why are you not more careful of your precious health. What would become of me if harm befalls you whilst I am so far away from you & your sweet babes. Oh! my Tootee God! be merciful to us all!! Mary & the girls had some calls to make - Our dear cousin was so un-well the boys & myself went over to sit with her. I took with me both of your letters & read them aloud to Amanda. Then M^r Woolley & the boys went out to walk & I remained with cousin A. - until ten oclock. We talked over all you had written to me. I have been feeling very uneasy about that boy Edinburgh - I have no doubt that sudden attack of his was all owing to his having got hold of some thing to eat which was not good for him. What a wretched race of beings they are. How ungratefully Rose has behaved - I suppose she ran away because Dunham wished her to go to Newfield?

[centered] 5 [top right, in pencil] [26 June 1852] I can only hope the orderly ones will continue to do their duty & the wretched who give trouble may be made to do their duty. Tell those who are doing well that they shall be rewarded - & those who are refractory that I am grieved to think they would wish to add to my troubles & that time will convince them of their folly. You have ere this been informed of my great disappointement relative to your Fathers [sic] visit to us. I can but hope he will be back in November - I have had no letter later than the 3^d of May from him tho' 2 of later date have I received from dear Butler. What a prince of a son that boy is! ---- I received a letter from M^rJ.H.C. a day to two since of which the enclosed is a copy. I wish William to keep this & send me a list of the names - ages &c of these 115 negros [sic]. I was under the impression there were 140 negros [sic], & so informed M^r King. From what passed between M^r Cor-bin & myself I was under the impression the purchase could be made more advantageously to us. If dear [William] would just write to my husband & give him his opinion of the proposition made by M^r J.H.C. I would be much indebted to him I will send M^r J.H. Coupers [sic] proposition of your Father in my next letter. I am very home sick dear Tootee - tho' I am really as kind-ly treated by dear Mary & Henry as I can possibly be - They have a most delightful house, & garden, every comfort around them & these comforts we enjoy to the very extent. I could be almost happy if you were all with me. But when I think of your distant Father & Brother - & of you beloved ones at Hamilton & my poor ne-gros [sic] I cannot be otherwise than anxious & unhappy. God! has been merciful to us - May this mercy be continued - I hope you will get the trunks Georgia sent - & the letter I wrote last week telling you what to send back to me. I will remain here until the 10^th of July - then go to New Haven from thence I can write you how long to direct your letters there. Cousin Amanda is so much better as to have spent this day with us & will go to Bethlehem tomorrow. We will miss them very much & regret their depar-ture. She is now lying on my bed talking to Florence. Georgia & Appy

[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