[Edward William Johnston at Columbia, South Carolina, to Mrs. Louisa S. Johnston [i.e. Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston at Maiden Spring], Clifton P.O, Tazewell County, Virginia, November 24, 1836, Box 1, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University].
[The first four paragraphs discuss John Warfield Johnston's good health and progress in his studies; having seen Jane Mary Wood Johnston in September (seemingly at Bedford, Virginia); and his (Edward's) great delight in helping guide John; also that his lofty goals in life have not been directed at becoming prosperous].
I am here alone, and only for a short time; having been engaged in a literary undertaking (now being organized) which is to carry me to Washington, if it succeeds. For this reason and because I had, indeed, made up my mind to seek my fortunes elsewhere, I left Estelle in N. York. Jane & her husband, after mature deliberation, have adopted the same course as we; and have already put it partly in effect, by breaking up in Bedford. They have sold their farm & effects; and Harvey has gone to painting; which, indeed, was absolutely necessary. He is gone to the south-west -- Mobile. Jane is to stay in Liberty, till he returns. But if my plans succeed, I shall take her to Washington, as I go on there; and she will make that her head-quarters, while her husband tries excursions wherever encouragement offers itself.
This will, you see, be a delightful arrangement. Washington is a pleasant residence, and a cheaper place of house-keeping than Columbia. We can live together there very snugly and very very happily. You know that Joseph is very frequently by there, too. By the bye, he passed along here, the other day, on his way to Florida: being sent there with orders for the commanding officer. He is, however, to return immediately.
I hear from Estelle by a regular weekly letter. She is very well, by her last; and seems, in the pleasure of getting new drapes, to find the only consolation for a separation which we both feel very severely. She is, of course, with her mother.
From Jane, I received a letter, some 10 days since, announcing the arrangements that I have mentioned above; and I replied by letting her know what I should do, if our enterprise goes into operation. All this was a matter of previously discussed and settled between us; so that all is certain, in the event of my going to Washington.
I have written to the Major, since my return here, a letter intended to apprise you all of our movements, and in ample detail. No answer yet from him.
Enough. I have written much more than I had time to write. Syd is well. Commend me very kindly to your father, Rees, & Ellen.
Affectionately, dear Louisa,
yours
Ed. Wm. Johnston
[Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889)
Harvey = Harvey Mitchell (1799-1866)
Jane = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell (1811-1892)
Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Estelle = Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (ca. 1802-1848)
"Her mother" = Joséphine Labarrière Costar De Cressac Villagrand (ca. 1776-1858)
Joseph = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
The Major = Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877)
Syd = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852)
"Your father" = Henry Reese (Rees) Bowen (1770-1850)
Ellen = Ellen Bowen (1817-ca.1850)
Rees = Rees/Reese Tate Bowen (1809-1879)]
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.
[The first four paragraphs discuss John Warfield Johnston's good health and progress in his studies; having seen Jane Mary Wood Johnston in September (seemingly at Bedford, Virginia); and his (Edward's) great delight in helping guide John; also that his lofty goals in life have not been directed at becoming prosperous].
I am here alone, and only for a short time; having been engaged in a literary undertaking (now being organized) which is to carry me to Washington, if it succeeds. For this reason and because I had, indeed, made up my mind to seek my fortunes elsewhere, I left Estelle in N. York. Jane & her husband, after mature deliberation, have adopted the same course as we; and have already put it partly in effect, by breaking up in Bedford. They have sold their farm & effects; and Harvey has gone to painting; which, indeed, was absolutely necessary. He is gone to the south-west -- Mobile. Jane is to stay in Liberty, till he returns. But if my plans succeed, I shall take her to Washington, as I go on there; and she will make that her head-quarters, while her husband tries excursions wherever encouragement offers itself.
This will, you see, be a delightful arrangement. Washington is a pleasant residence, and a cheaper place of house-keeping than Columbia. We can live together there very snugly and very very happily. You know that Joseph is very frequently by there, too. By the bye, he passed along here, the other day, on his way to Florida: being sent there with orders for the commanding officer. He is, however, to return immediately.
I hear from Estelle by a regular weekly letter. She is very well, by her last; and seems, in the pleasure of getting new drapes, to find the only consolation for a separation which we both feel very severely. She is, of course, with her mother.
From Jane, I received a letter, some 10 days since, announcing the arrangements that I have mentioned above; and I replied by letting her know what I should do, if our enterprise goes into operation. All this was a matter of previously discussed and settled between us; so that all is certain, in the event of my going to Washington.
I have written to the Major, since my return here, a letter intended to apprise you all of our movements, and in ample detail. No answer yet from him.
Enough. I have written much more than I had time to write. Syd is well. Commend me very kindly to your father, Rees, & Ellen.
Affectionately, dear Louisa,
yours
Ed. Wm. Johnston
[Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889)
Harvey = Harvey Mitchell (1799-1866)
Jane = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell (1811-1892)
Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Estelle = Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (ca. 1802-1848)
"Her mother" = Joséphine Labarrière Costar De Cressac Villagrand (ca. 1776-1858)
Joseph = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
The Major = Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877)
Syd = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852)
"Your father" = Henry Reese (Rees) Bowen (1770-1850)
Ellen = Ellen Bowen (1817-ca.1850)
Rees = Rees/Reese Tate Bowen (1809-1879)]
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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