Treffer: 1838-12-03 Wheeling VA

Wheeling VA December 3 1838 (AL 5) SWD-LAW Page 1 of 5 Not for publication, reproduction, sale, or release to other persons or institutions without the express written permission of the archive which holds the original document and of the David Davis Mansion Foundation. Wheeling Virginia December 3-1838- My Dear Mother, Winter has opened and I am still far away from my future home. It really seems as if the fates were against us = in regard to getting on = tho [sic] fortune smiles in other respects. I wrote from Pittsburg [sic] last Tuesday. We were compelled to wait till Wednesday at 10 o’clock before we could get a Boat to take us down the Ohio. At that time we went on board the Troy – and proceeded about 28 miles very smoothly. Unfortunately two boats were aground – and we were reluctantly obliged to follow suit. This occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday and here we remained till the afternoon of Friday. David went ashore on the day before – but could not get a boat to take us off. He went to Beaver the day we left, and got a Hack to drive into the river as far as was safe. You may be assured that I felt a little spookish when I sat in the little skiff which took us from the Steam Boat. If we moved to the right or the left we were sure to upset – for once I remained still. I will describe to you our party. I mean those who went ashore with us. Mr Wells of Washington City who was taking his son’s wife and an infant of 6 weeks old to Cincinnati to meet Wheeling VA December 3 1838 (AL 5) SWD-LAW Page 2 of 5 Not for publication, reproduction, sale, or release to other persons or institutions without the express written permission of the archive which holds the original document and of the David Davis Mansion Foundation. her husband – who is an Officer in the Army – and now stationed at Fort Gibson Arkansas. She is 19 years of age – and I think resembles Aunt Mary Adam. Just as fair and delicate as she must have been in youth. Mr Luther S. Cushing of Boston – and his friend Mr Schlatter of Philadelphia a civil engineer – and Mr Ball of Poughkeepsie N.Y. a jeweller [sic](by profession). I had almost forgotten Lieutenant Dobbins of Erie Pa. We left on the Boat Miss Ellen Free and Mother. They were on their way to New Orleans, “Madame Caradoni Allen and retinue” as the Captain of the Troy had it on his book – were also left. The Captain seemed quite anxious to retain these distinguished ladies on his Boat and he assured them that the river would rise. He was quite smitten with the lovely Ellen, tho [sic] a wife at home he had, but my friend Mr Cushing remarked that Captain Adams would find he was “barking the wrong tree”. She is over 30 I should judge and resembles Mrs Lyman Warriner of Pittsfield. I busied myself on the Boat with my blue knitting. It was all the comfort I had – except Mrs Wells and Mr Cushing. But to return to Beaver. We reached there as I mentioned before on the afternoon of Friday – and had supped - for David and Mr Cushing had gone with out – their dinner. They had wet feet and empty stomachs. There we found a waggon [sic] = and the Lieutenant mounted a Rosinante, which must have been very like the one owned by the mighty and renowned Don Quixote. We made a very imposing appearance the crazy old hack swinging gracefully from side to side. Wheeling VA December 3 1838 (AL 5) SWD-LAW Page 3 of 5 Not for publication, reproduction, sale, or release to other persons or institutions without the express written permission of the archive which holds the original document and of the David Davis Mansion Foundation. I was more afraid in the Hack than in the boat. David sat up in one corner with his feet in my India Rubbers (for he had to dispense with his wet tight boots as soon as we entered the carriage) and Mrs Wells in the other with her baby in her arms – and Mr Davis’ old cloak was hung up on one side of the vehicle to keep out the air. Thus we rode 12 miles. One of the Springs broke just before we reached the Inn. The house was full – but we were willing to sleep on the floor if we could stay. The Landlord consented. The Landlady was in bed = and the teakettle had to be boiled before the catnip tea could be made for the baby. I made up my mind at that time that a watched tea kettle never boiled – any more than a pot. I think it was 12 o’clock before I lay down on my bed on the floor. I acted in the capacity of Nurse to Mrs Wells that night and I am still nursing by day. She is quite feeble and ought to be at home with little Emily Geraldine – for that is the name of her infant. We kept the hack for a few miles and then Mrs W- and I rode in a one horse waggon [sic] on a seat without a cushion the wind blowing in our faces all the way. The rest of the party were in a Lumber waggon [sic] and the baggage occupied still another waggon [sic]. Thinks I to myself, this is moving to the West! We reached Steubenville that night and Sunday Morning at 8 took a steam Boat for Wheeling. We reached this place before dinner – but owing to the crowd of people we have been unable to get seats in the Stage until tomorrow at 1. in the afternoon. I have walked up and down the streets to day [sic] – beside mending my stockings &c. &c. David brought me a pair of buffalo socks when he came in to day [sic]- and I think my Wheeling VA December 3 1838 (AL 5) SWD-LAW Page 4 of 5 Not for publication, reproduction, sale, or release to other persons or institutions without the express written permission of the archive which holds the original document and of the David Davis Mansion Foundation. feet wont [sic] suffer with the cold again as the hair is on the inside. I have had a severe cold in my head four or five days – so that my nose and the roof of my mouth ached. I feel better to day [sic] – and I am of course in good spirits – surrounded by kind friends – for “our Party” still remain together. Tomorrow we part – with Mr Wells and Mr Cushing who return to Washington together. The rest of us continue on for a day or two – then we all separate. I have wished again and again – that Frances was with me but I am now convinced that it is all for the best – that she is not. When we left Philadelphia we were under the impression that the Ohio was high but the water fell suddenly – and hundreds were just as badly off as we. Our journey is more expensive than it would have been – if we could have gone by water – but we must submit. {The following is written up the right side of the last page next to the address}: The journey will be very fatiguing but I hope to have strength to perform it. I told Mr Davis I would return with Mr Cushing if he wished it. I cant [sic] get him to say that he is sorry he was married – tho [sic] I should not blame him for feeling so. I have not to complain of a want of uniform kindness on the part of my Husband. Please remember me with love to all. It may be a long time before we meet = but I don’t [sic] look on the dark side Dear Mother. I think of you all Wheeling VA December 3 1838 (AL 5) SWD-LAW Page 5 of 5 Not for publication, reproduction, sale, or release to other persons or institutions without the express written permission of the archive which holds the original document and of the David Davis Mansion Foundation. {The following is written up the left side of the first page of the letter}: I looked at the hair today that was cut from your head and Father’s the day I started and it brought you both before me. you in your clean white Turban and Father with his hair braided and tied with the little black silk cord – whenever I begin to think it is difficult to call back my thoughts – “for memory will not be controlled”. David is asleep and I suspect it is late. Father will think I have got so in the habit of writing long letters that I cant [sic] write any others but I know you will want all the particulars & until you complain of the length- Dear Mother – you will not receive short letters from your truly affectionate daughter Sarah W Davis Love to Cousin Harriette