Mary Louisa Johnston to Nicketti Floyd Johnston, March 20, 1860

[Mary Louisa Bowen Johnston at Frederick, Maryland, to Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston at [?], Virginia, March 20, 1860,  Box 2, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. This is my rough transcription. Paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

Academy of the Visitation
Frederick     March 20th 1860 

My dearest mother,

It has indeed been a long time since you wrote to me but not so long as since I wrote to you. We received yours and Father's letters Thursday and indeed, dear Mother, I would rather you would scold me when I deserve it.

Yesterday was St. Josephs [Joseph's] day and we all had holiday. I thought of Bev very often. I wrote to Miss Hartford last letter writing day, but have not yet received an answer.

I am sorry that Fathers [Father's] courts begin so soon, but I am very glad that we do not live in Tazewell, for it would be so much more difficult for him to attend them. 

It is very pretty weather now, and the girls go out walking on Wednesdays and Saturday evenings. Sometimes, I would like to go if I could walk with Letty, but we have to walk according to our ranks. 

We were glad that you and Father had changed the name of the farm for "Beach Spring" is a much prettier name than "Four Springs."

There are plenty at home to nurse the younger members of the Johnston family, so you please come to Washington, if not to Frederick; you don't know how delighted Letty and myself would be,

We were surprised to hear that Martha Washington college was to be opened so soon. Emma Brown in her latter to us said she was very glad, and hoped it would enliven the town. Hennie was very dissatisfied[?] at her wanting boys to enliven the town, but when I told [her] it was a college for girls, she laughed at the mistake.

I will not ask the Sisters to pray for you as a poor sinner, as you said in one of your letters, but as the sweetest and best Mother that ever lived.

I wish you could know some of the Sisters, especially Sr Mary -- she is so sweet and good just like you. Letty and myself are in her music class. You need not fear, dear Mother, as to my health, for my [fragment missing] is a great deal better.

I am going to ask Mother Angela to get me a pair of braces. You don't know how very sorry I am about my report, but I am going to study diligently, and the future will speak for it self. 

When will Uncle Will make his first Communion? [N]ot until next summer I hope -- so we will be there. I pray for him every day, for Aunt Nannie, for Grandmother and for you and our precious Father, all all our darling little sisters and brothers.

You devoted child,

Mary Louisa Johnston

[p.s.] Sr. Liguori sends her best to you, and says to answer her letter. 


[The Academy of the Visitation aka Visitation Academy of Frederick apparently closed its doors on June 30, 2016; the last Sisters left in 2009
Mary Louisa Bowen Johnston (1846-1895)
 Mother = Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston (1819-1908)
Father = John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889)
Bev = Joseph Beverly Johnston (1859-1943)
Letty = Laetitia "Letty" Floyd Johnston (1844-1888)
Uncle Will = Dr. William Preston Floyd (1809-1871)
Aunt Nannie = [?]
Grandmother = Mary Louisa Bowen Johsnton (1800-1873)]

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.     

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]