folder 15: October–December 1852

[top right] Friday night [in pencil] [1852]

My own dearly beloved Tootee

Here are we safe arrived in this city - con-sidering all things. I believe I may say the passage was a comfortable one. Of course I was frightened every time the Steam was let off - & just as often when the boat was checked & the steam not let off - so I was hard to be kept pacified - your husband God! bless him was as considerate of my feelings as even my good Butler would have been. In fact dear Tootee William is acting the sons [sic] part through- out, & I thank my God! that I have so good a son in law. My dear Cousin & M^r Woolley were all kindness. M^r & Mrs McDonald we found on board. So many other men passengers we were obliged to take Floyd & Tip into the ladies [sic] cabin, poor little fellows, the [sic] did not enjoy in the least their trip to Savannah. In fact far more afraid of the steam than even I was. We did not arrive here until near two oclock today. You would have been amused to see the number of us & the quantity of baggage stowed in & piled onto the omnibus, some 15 passengers & all their luggage. We went round [sic] to every ones [sic] stopping places before we came here. I should not neglect to mention of a Miller Bond & Old D^r Scriven. I was not here 5 minutes before little Jinny came round [sic] to enquire from Mabel Cunningham how I was - & Oh you do not know how kind dear Sarah is to me - she received us so kindly - gave me so nice a room with every comfort. I have not seen Bourke yet. I had got but a short way on this letter when Mrs D^r Fraser - Pheme & Isa came, the two latter look remarkably well, the other just as usual. William came again & took out Floyd & Tip & got them fitted to a suit of clothes & hats. Isabel Hamilton came in great haste to see me, both Isa Hamilton & the Cunninghams are earnest that I should go to them

but I think I may as well stay here until I leave. [Menges?] Fraser was also here. We saw M^r Woolley & Cousin A passing this evening we called them to the door - dear Cousin has got one dressmaking & has purchased another which we are to try & get made for her. I am trying not to think too much of my troubles at home, & but for the dear girls I verily believe I would return to you on Monday. If all were well at home, if we had but the means to go altogether to the North I think I could enjoy it. But the leaving of you my precious child - those sweet children & my poor negros [sic] - will rob me of much enjoyment which I otherwise could have. I will tremble when I open your letters. But I will try & hope for the best. You my noble minded child who so generously give up your husbands [sic] society for my sake, who has of have promised to see to all my affairs during my absence - How can I sufficiently praise God! for having given me such a child? I dread lest your over exertion may make you sick. Do my child let your own health be your first consideration - I will try & look on the bright side of things - I know all my fretting will not alter the decrees of providence - I can but pray to God! to have mercy! ------------

I will write to you again by the Planter - & send you the medicine required & some other little things for the planta-tion. Do my child try & impress it on Pussys [sic] mind the necessity of watching all the symptoms of those negros [sic].

Sarah Bourke says in one of those vizettes or small sophas [sic] are some window shades - which she sends for me to take if I liked them - if not they could be returned. As this cannot be delaid [sic] until my return, you had best open the small sofas & judge the matter yourself. I rather think two small sofas will be too much for that room if you put the old sofa & the rocking chair in too. So I think

I shall give you either the old sopha [sic] done over - or one of the small ones. I can but hope you will be able to carry out all your kind intentions to make me comfortable on my return. Oh! that I was now on my way back to you my precious child - coming home accompanied by all those dear ones. You feel my absence I am sure of - but you can scarcely feel it as much as I do my separation from you. I will add a little more to this letter before I retire Last night we had but little sleep - it was past twelve when we gave William & M^r Woolley leave to retire - I did not sleep for hours after & we were up again at 5 this morning this was very foolish as we had to wait until 8 for break-fast. I thought Amanda & myself would never have got e-nough breakfast, & could not help wishing you had as good. The Cunninghams are delighted with the honey - as is also S-B Dear [obscured by ink blot] [Tootee] sorry you did not come, they tell me that Chris Ira is is [sic] a[obscured by ink blot] [obscured by ink blot][fin]ally better - was able to ride out yesterday evening etc I must go down now - I can add but a few lines as I am very weary & must try to get some sleep tonight - May God! bless you & yours my precious child. Kiss each of the precious children for me - My love to Mrs Gale - & remembrance to every negro I leave behind. Sarah sends much love as do also your little brothers. Tell Clementine that Sarah is delighted to see Middleton again, he is waiting & doing things about the house just as if he was at home Rhina is doing her part. I may not be able to add to this tomorrow. Once more good night my precious child - Kiss over & over again those sweet babes for your devoted Mother

AM King

[round postal stamp, left of folded page] [illegible]

Mrs W. Audley Couper Frederica PO S^t Simons Isld Georgia