Charles Clement Johnston to Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston, July 10, 1829

[Charles Clement Johnston at Botetourt Springs to Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston care of William Radford, Esq., Bedford County, Virginia, July 10, 1829. Box 25, Folder 5, 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 transcription. Instances of the "long s" in the original have been modernized and paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

My Dear Susan

I am so far on my way to Greenfield having been detain'd much longer by business than I expected: I shall at present stay but a day or two there and will go on to the sweet springs [Sweet Springs] where I propose to stay two or three weeks and then pay a visit of a few days to Botetourt.

From your last letter to me and the report you make of your health a trip to the springs would not only be beneficial but is I think absolutely necessary for you. I wish you would conclude to go: if you will I will enter into any arrangement you may choose to make for the purpose. 

I have gentle horses and would either go to your Uncle Radford's for you or conform to any other plan you might adopt.

I suppose you would have no difficulty in being properly matronized by Sarah or Mrs. Woodville or some of your friends. 

I beg you to believe as surely you cannot have the heart to refuse, that I take the deepest possible interest in your welfare and that it would give me deep heartfelt pleasure at all times to be of service to you in any way in my power. 

I have felt much interested in a report I have heard generally among our relations that you were going to change your condition. I have been glad to hear from Aunt Floyd a good report of the gentlemen who are aspiring to your hand. She has charged me with a message from John whom the report has reached and who begs that you may not alter your condition until he sees you. Mrs. Floyd said that she did not understand the message but that you might. 

I beg that you will let me hear from you speedily: If I can see you no other way I will go down to Mr. Radford's although it would be inconvenient to me to do so: direct to the sweet springs and let me if you please hear something of your future plans. My deep affection for you gives me the right to hear them and to aid you in them as far as I can.

                            your affectionate brother
                                        Ch.s. C. Johnston

[p.s. M]rs. Floyd has charged me to take you as far as the Thorn Spring when I go home in August.

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston (1803-November 27, 1828) married Charles Clement Johnston (1795-1832), at Greenfield, on December 29, 1822. 
Sue/Susan = Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston (1805-1857). Sadly for Charles, no doubt, Susan married William Mosely Radford (1810-1873) in August of 1831, at Greenfield. 
Sarah = Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848) married Henry Morton Bowyer (1802-1893) on September 8, 1827.
Uncle Radford = William Carlton Radford (1787-1861) in Bedford County, Virginia. 
Mrs. Woodville = not sure how she fits in yet.
Aunt Floyd/Mrs. Floyd = Letitia Preston Floyd (1776-1852)
John = one of the Floyd or Preston cousins named John, presumably. 
Thorn Spring = Governor John Floyd estate, Montgomery County, Virginia.]

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

Charles Clement Johnston to Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston, April 20, 1829

[Charles Clement Johnston at Wythe Court-House to Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston near Fincastle, Virginia, April 20, 1829. Box 25, Folder 5, 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 transcription. Instances of the "long s" in the original have been modernized and paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

My Dear Susan

I received from Mrs. Crutchfield a day ago the first intelligence of your return from Washington. She was not able to answer my various inquiries about you, so that I am only left to conjecture and to hope that your health and spirits have been improved by your trip. I should have written frequently to you had I not supposed that you would stay so short a time in one place that my letters could not find you.

I wish you had as good a reason for not writing to me: I am sure if you knew and felt what an anxious solicitude I have about you, you would relieve it by letting me know sometimes where and how you are.

My own health is scarcely so good as when I saw you last: I feel as if my calamities were preying on my vitals and exhausting my life, but I struggle to bear up myself under them.

I expect that your Mama will be in Abingdon in a few days: I shall reach there tomorrow and will inform you as soon as she arrives what her intentions are respecting her future plans.

As soon as my professional engagements will permit I will pay you a visit in Botetourt. I cannot say however at present how soon this will be. 

With my kindest wishes to Sarah & Mrs. Bowyer & William & family I remain as always D'r Susan
                              yr most affectionate brother
                                    Ch. C. Johnston 

[p.s.]

My Dear Children

Your father was delighted to hear from Mrs. Crutchfield that you were well and what good children you are. I bought for you yesterday two beautiful books, that I will send by the first opportunity, and I hope you will both be able almost to read and understand them when I see you next.

I hope to fold my dear children in my arms in a short time. Get your Aunt Susan or Sarah to read this little letter and to answer it for you: kiss them both for me and be sure that I am as always your dotingly[?] fond father
                                        Ch. C. Johnston

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston (1803-November 27, 1828) married Charles Clement Johnston (1795-1832), at Greenfield, on December 29, 1822. 
Sue/Susan = Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston (1805-1857)
The children = John Preston Johnston (1824-1847) was born on February 1, 1824. Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909) was born on July 3, 1825.
Sarah = Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848) married Henry Morton Bowyer (1802-1893) on September 8, 1827.
William = William Mosely Radford (1810-1873). Sadly for Charles, no doubt, Susan married William in August of 1831 at Greenfield. 
Mrs. Crutchfield = not sure how she fits in yet.
Your Mama = (stepmother) Elizabeth Ann Carrington Preston (1768-1839).
Mrs. Bowyer = presumably Elizabeth Hubard Bowyer (1779-1857).]

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

Charles Clement Johnston to Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston, April 24, 1829

[Charles Clement Johnston at Abingdon to Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston near Fincastle, Virginia, April 24, 1829. Box 25, Folder 5, 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 transcription. Instances of the "long s" in the original have been modernized and paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

My Dear Susan

I have just received yours of the 16th and experience the most heartfelt pleasure on hearing how well your trip has benefited and entertained you. On this account I pardon entirely the scold you give me, particularly as you have no doubt found out before this, that I have taken the stars[?] of you in that matter.

In regard to your journey to Bedford and your plans relating to my children, I beg you to pursue your convenience and inclination entirely. I am perfectly willing that they should stay either with Sarah or William or go with you.

Indeed I have wish'd them to pass a good deal of their time at William's, that they might become acquainted with and attached to their cousins. They are all too young to go to school regularly as a task: indeed on this subject I have always wished to lead them gently into the path of improvement without doing at any time the slightest violence to their inclinations. Although I might be unwilling to trust either of my children with an old maid I am not afraid to trust you yet awhile.

I will be in the month of June before I can leave home when I propose staying some weeks at the Springs and hope that you will to be able to make such arrangements as to accompany me.

Charles Preston proposes to visit Botetourt in a few days. If he does I shall send down Edward to see you all. With my best wishes & love to you all, begging you to kiss my dear little ones for me, and to talk to them frequently of me. I remain as ever
                                       yours most affectionately
                                                 Ch.s C. Johnston

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston (1803-November 27, 1828) married Charles Clement Johnston (1795-1832), at Greenfield, on December 29, 1822. 
Sue/Susan = Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston (1805-1857)
The children = John Preston Johnston (1824-1847) was born on February 1, 1824. Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909) was born on July 3, 1825.
Sarah = Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848) 
William = William Mosely Radford (1810-1873). Sadly for Charles, no doubt, Susan married William in August of 1831 at Greenfield. 
The Springs = Botetourt Springs.
Charles Preston = Charles Henry Campbell Preston (1807-1832)
Edward = Edward Carrington Preston (1812-1836).]

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

Peter Johnston, Jr.: Letter of Sympathy on the Death of Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson

[Richmond Enquirer, Volume XXV, Issue 81 (January 20, 1829), page 3.]

COMMUNICATED.

Intelligence of the death of Mrs. Jackson, wife of Gen. Andrew Jackson, having reached Abingdon, Virginia, a number of the gentlemen of the town, and its vicinity, assembled at the Court-House, on the evening of the 5th of January, 1829. Judge Peter Johnston was called on to preside, and David Campbell appointed Secretary of the meeting.

The objects of the meeting having been explained by the chair, Gen. Preston rose, and offered the following preamble and resolutions which were unanimously adopted:

The citizens of Abingdon and its vicinity having heard of the late melancholy death of Mrs. Jackson, wife of Gen. Jackson, the President elect, and having met to consult in what manner they must suitably express to her afflicted husband the deep concern they feel at her loss.

Resolved, unanimously, That a letter of condolence be prepared, and sent to Gen. Jackson, expressive of the the sincere regard they have for the character and memory of his deceased lady; and the sorrow they feel at his afflictive bereavement.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed, to prepare the letter of condolence, and such further resolutions as they may deem necessary; and thereupon, the Chair appointed Gen. Preston, Capt. Francis Smith, and John N. Humes, esq., who retired a short time and reported the following resolutions, and letter, which were unanimously adopted by the meeting.

Resolved, That mourning be worn on the left arm, for thirty days, by the members of this meeting.

Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Ogden, be requested, by the Chairman, to preach a funeral sermon adapted to the occasion, on next Sabbath[.]

Resolved, That these resolutions, and the letter of condolence, be signed by the presiding member, and transmitted to Gen. Jackson --- also, that they be published in the Richmond Enquirer, and United States Telegraph.

LETTER.

Sir: The late afflicting dispensation of providence, in terminating the ties by which you were united to a lady, on whose existence your domestic happiness essentially depended, demands the condolence of your friends. Permit us to mingle our tears with yours, in deploring the loss of a female partner, distinguished for piety, for benevolence, and the other amiable qualities of the heart.

That you may long survive this painful bereavement, exerting yourself for the benefit of that country, which you have heretofore so eminently served, and enjoying the confidence and gratitude of your fellow citizens, is the  earnest and fervent prayer of this meeting[.]

Signed by order of this meeting,
                                                          PETER JOHNSTON.

[Mrs. Jackson = Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson (1767-December 22, 1828)
Gen. Jackson = Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), who took office as US President on March 4, 1829. 
Peter Johnston, Jr. (1763-1831)
David Campbell (1779-1859)
Gen. Preston = Francis Smith Preston (1765-1836)
Capt. Francis Smith = Francis Smith III (circa 1772-1841)
John N. Humes, newspaper editor.
Rev. Mr. Ogden = Thomas Anderson Ogden (1802-1878), Presbyterian.]


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