Jane Mary Wood Johnston Michel to Robert Morton Hughes, April 18, 1891

[Jane Mary Wood Johnston Michel (aka Mitchell) at Washington City to Robert Morton Hughes [at Norfolk, Virginia], April 18, 1891. Box 3, folder 9, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

                                                                              931 P. st. N.W.

                                                                              April 18^th ‘91

My dear Robbie,

I send you some articles from a Kansas City paper, which I think it would be well to publish in the Southern papers. It is assuredly an extraordinary thing to see such proceedings on the past of Union soldiers, &, in my opinion, the spreading abroad of such facts is calculated to promote feelings of kindness & good will all over the land.

The noblest work of your uncle’s later days was the cultivation by his influence and example of a spirit of fraternity. He has done more good in that way, than any other man.

Please be sure to return these pieces to me. I consider this a high tribute, coming from such a source. 

I find that a mistake was made in packing the library which I trust you will repair. My brother’s books of devotion had, at the first, been laid aside for me, as the person best entitled to them. But in the confusion, they happened to be moved, & seemed a part of the library. The packer put them up with the rest. You will find them when you look over all.

Besides these, there is a very old prayer book which belonged to my mother, & which we all valued most highly. It is of medium size, of the best material used 80 years ago. Binding of red morocco. Pray let me have that. Don’t trouble to send, the books, let them come when you or Floyd come to the City.

                  With best love to “Mama” & Mattie,

                                 Yours most warmly –

                                    J.W. Michel

[J.W. Michel = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Michel/Mitchell (November 26, 1811-January 6, 1892).

Robbie = Robert Morton Hughes (1855-1940).

Your uncle = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (February 3, 1807-March 21, 1891).

Mattie = Martha “Mattie” Louisiana Smith (1853 or 1863-1944).

Library = many of the books from Joe Johnston’s library eventually made their way to William & Mary’s Swem Library. In the 1990s, I identified many of these volumes and requested they be moved to Special Collections.

Mama = Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes (1825-1909).

Floyd = Floyd Hughes (1861-1940)].

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration; in this case, specifically to William for providing a scanned copy of the original document.]