Jane Johnston Mitchell/Michel to John Milton Binckley, June 20, 1868

Mary Louisa/Louise Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)

[Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel at Abingdon, Virginia, to Hon. John M. Binckley, Assistant Atty. Gen., at Washington City, D.C., June 20, 1868. My rough transcription. Paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.

 
Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing a scan of the original document (as well as a scan of the above photograph), and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

                                                         Abingdon, 20^th June 68.

My dear son,

The news contained in your brief but comprehensive note of Thursday night has filled me with joy & thankfulness. For many days past, I have been weighed down with anxious dread; fearing that my beloved child might be dangerously ill, as she so often spoke of being sick, and suffering with her back. My uneasiness was increased by knowing that, out of tenderness for me, much of her ailments would be concealed as long as possible – and then I have had, all the time, the feeling of a prisoner, chained just out of sight of what he most wishes to see. Thanks be to God! I can at last feel at rest.

You & I, my dear son, fully sympathize in devout thankfulness for the happy result. We know the worth of the beloved one whose life has been in jeopardy, & we know how to be grateful that the precious life is spared, to cheer & bless over.

I am glad that the new darling is a boy: hope he may be as fine a fellow as Harvey, though that is hardly probable. And now for the name. I want it to be John, with whatever addition you may like best. Henry, I suppose, would please your mother most. If you still are set against John, my next choice would be Joseph Johnston. I believe you admire our hero as much as your Mary loves him – however, I am volunteering advice uncalled for – but I could not help putting in a word for the name I think the boy ought to bear. Your father’s name! [M]ay he be worthy of it!

Sue joins me in love & congratulations. I wish her trouble were equally well ended. Many thanks for your counsel with regard to her & her husband. I will try to do for the best.

With fond affection, my dear Milton, truly your Mother

[Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).

John Milton Binckley (circa 1831-1878).

Mary Louisa/Louise Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930).

The new darling = Francis M. [Mitchell or Milton?] Binckley (June 18-July 9, 1868).

Harvey = Harvey Mitchell Binckley (1864-1928).

Please your mother = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877), widow of John Henry Binckley (1788-1849).

Joseph Johnston = after Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891).

Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel Taliaferro (1845-1940).

Her trouble = Bennet Crawford Taliaferro (1868-1943), born on July 8, 1868.

Her husband = William Meade Taliaferro (1840-1913), traumatized survivor of the American Civil War.]