[From an undated letter, Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel to Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston (ca. 1860s), Box 2, John Warfield Johnston Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University].
The first part of the letter, which begins "My beloved Nicketti," is solicitous about Nicketti's health.
The second part discusses the health of Jane's granddaughter: "For the last ten days, I have been taking care of Nellie, who has had a right sharp spell of Malarial fever. I broke down, however, myself, had to come home for a little rest. Nell is free of
disease now . . ."
The third part discusses the possibility of her stepdaughter Charlotte being taken on as a governess by "Sara," a person clearly known by Nicketti. "She [Charlotte] has had long experience & gives great satisfaction to those who employ her, especially in the teaching of small children . . . Charlotte has regained her health, & is extremely anxious to obtain employment, either in a family or a school . . ."
Jane gives Charlotte's address as care of Samuel Griffin, Forest Depot, Bedford County, Virginia.
In the final part, Jane sends her love to Ben, Sally, & Corrie. "In this Sue joins."
Finally, "Joseph is very well -- exceedingly sorry you did not come."
[Though not dated, this letter seems to have been written sometime within a few years after the end of the American Civil War. Locations: Jane could have written from a relative's house near Bedford, Virginia or somewhere else in the Commonwealth. Nicketti may have been at the "Eggleston" estate near Abingdon.
Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
The first part of the letter, which begins "My beloved Nicketti," is solicitous about Nicketti's health.
The second part discusses the health of Jane's granddaughter: "For the last ten days, I have been taking care of Nellie, who has had a right sharp spell of Malarial fever. I broke down, however, myself, had to come home for a little rest. Nell is free of
disease now . . ."
The third part discusses the possibility of her stepdaughter Charlotte being taken on as a governess by "Sara," a person clearly known by Nicketti. "She [Charlotte] has had long experience & gives great satisfaction to those who employ her, especially in the teaching of small children . . . Charlotte has regained her health, & is extremely anxious to obtain employment, either in a family or a school . . ."
Jane gives Charlotte's address as care of Samuel Griffin, Forest Depot, Bedford County, Virginia.
In the final part, Jane sends her love to Ben, Sally, & Corrie. "In this Sue joins."
Finally, "Joseph is very well -- exceedingly sorry you did not come."
[Though not dated, this letter seems to have been written sometime within a few years after the end of the American Civil War. Locations: Jane could have written from a relative's house near Bedford, Virginia or somewhere else in the Commonwealth. Nicketti may have been at the "Eggleston" estate near Abingdon.
Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston - Jane's niece (1819-1908)
Nellie = Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951)
Charlotte = Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel (1829-1921)
Samuel Griffin, Jr. (ca. 1801-ca. 1870?) - Charlotte's uncle, brother of her biological mother Elizabeth Hook Griffin (1801-1829), and brother-in-law of her father, Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866); Harvey was Jane's husband from 1832 until his death.
Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1847-1940)
Ben = George Ben Johnston (1853-1916)
Sally = Sally Buchanan Floyd Johnston (1848-1925)
Corrie = Coralie Johnston (1861-1954)
Joseph = probably Joseph Beverly Johnston (1859-1943), but also possibly Jane's brother Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)].
For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the John Warfield Johnston Papers, here's a link to the guide.
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