Edward William Johnston to Dr. John Hook Griffin, February 14, 1844

[Edward William Johnston at Lauderdale, Botetourt County, Virginia, to Dr. John Hook Griffin at Salem, Virginia, February 14, 1844. A scan of this letter was graciously provided via email on April 28, 2017 by Beth S. Harris, Special Collections Librarian & Archivist, Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University. There are some additional scribblings on the front of the letter, apparently made at a later date by Henry Griffin, Charles Beale Griffin, and/or John William Griffin. Another small inscription reads: GIVEN TO ME BY BILLY BOWLES, G. SON of Dr. GRIFFEN - April 1935, JAT.] 

             

Lauderdale Feb’y 14^th 1844

Dear Doctor

My wife has another ulcer extending down the pharynx or back part of the throat. I had hope for some time that the disease was disappearing. Its progress in the nose seemed to be checked tho’ still existing. This new appearance in the throat has given us great uneasiness & Doct’r Woodson has just touched it with Caustic, having a few days since applied two blisters on each side of the throat. He thinks the glands about the root of the tongue are affected from her complaining of some pain there tho’ they cannot be seen.

The Doc’t speaks of putting a graton[?] in the back of the neck. We would prefer a consultation with you before any thing further is done.

I if you can do so would like for you to come down tomorrow or as early as possible. Madam has been using nothing but Sand’s Sarsaparilla for some time. Her general health seemed to be improving – this new development therefore has been very unexpected. If you cannot come (which I hope will not be the case) please give your advice as to the best remedy, The Doct’t proposes the use[?] of Iodine.

                      My respects to Mrs. G. & believe me

                                                     Yrs Truly

                                                              Edw’d Johnston

Lauderdale = Estate near Buchanan, Virginia, of Judge Edward Johnston (January 10, 1807-May 1, 1853) who later died of pneumonia. He was married to Emeline Sophia Bowyer (1809-1893). Edward was the son of Andrew Johnston (1767-1811) and Anne Owen Nash Johnston (1775-1851).

Dr. John Hook Griffin (1803-1878) was the brother of Elizabeth Hook Griffin (circa 1801-1829), Harvey Mitchell/Michel's first wife and mother of Charlotte Elizabeth Griffin Mitchell (1829-1921). Dr. Griffin's wife was Sarah Jane McClanahan (1859-1926).  

Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)

My wife = Estelle, Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (circa. 1802-1848)

JAT = Joseph Augustine Turner (1875-1937), grandson of Hollins Institute founder, Dr. Charles Lewis Cocke (1820-1878).                          

Henry (Bowyer) Griffin (1838-1940) 
Charles Beale Griffin (1834-1885)
John William Griffin (1835-1864). Enlisted in the 19th Virginia Infantry Regiment in 1861, became lieutenant and regimental chaplain, died August 1, 1864. 
Mrs. G and Dr. Griffin's daughter Emeline (1857-1926) married William Boardman Bowles (1859-1926) in 1885. 

Images: Wiki Commons (top), Peachridge Glass blog, link here (middle), and the Library of Congress, link here (bottom).

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration, and to Beth S. Harris as noted above.]