Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel: Notes on Family (1870+), Part III

Algernon Sidney Johnston by Harvey Mitchell (c/o Peter Johnston Binkley)

[Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel: Notes on Family (1870+), Part III. My rough transcription. Additional 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 scans of the original documents, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

[Pages 15-18 missing or unscanned from originals. This picks up at page 19, in mid-sentence.]

. . . loved with unceasing devotion. He it was to whom I was indebted for most of the mental culture that I possess – he took infinite pains to mould [mold] my mind, to lead me to seek knowledge, & to cultivate in me a pure taste, a high appreciation of the beautiful. He was a fine linguist, & taught me himself French, Spanish, & Italian; besides completing my course of instruction in Latin. 

He never had a child, & claimed me, after I lost my mother, as his own. We passed many years together, as well after my marriage as before it, and our intercourse was that of bosom friends. None of my family appreciated me as highly, or loved me as well as he did.  

In return, I could not fail to love & admire him, and our being divided (though only, I am sure, outwardly) is a sorrow that will end only with life.

He and Sydney, the next brother, removed to Columbia, So. Ca. about a year after Mother died. Our beloved kinsman, Wm. C. Preston, resided in that City, & by his persuasion my brothers were induced to seek a home there. They first engaged in book=selling: (both had been brought up to mercantile business) but, after a few years, Edward became a tutor in South Carolina College & Sydney became editor of a paper.

I spent some of the pleasantest days of my youth with them in Columbia, at that time a delightful place.

Algernon Sydney, the sixth son, was remarkable in childhood for his uncommon beauty, and his gentle, winning ways – he would spend whole days drawing pictures in the sand, or sitting quiet by Mother’s side. He was devoted to reading – never to severe studies but to poetry, words of imagination, and those pertaining to art. His nature was highly political. Yet he learned to be extremely practical, and was the best man of business in the family. 

Though generally sedate in demeanor, he had a vein of drollery & exquisite humor which made him a most amusing companion. No man ever had more real, attached friends – for no man ever had a warmer, nobler heart, or more tender sympathies. With a disposition singularly fitted for domestic happiness, he was so unfortunate as never to make for himself family ties. Love was a necessity of his nature – his large affections required an object. He had several attachments, three engagements.

The first was broken by the faithlessness of the girl, who was induced to forsake Sydney, after an engagement of two years’ duration, for an inferior man, whose worldly prospects appeared more inviting. His second love affair was terminated by the interference of the young lady’s parents, who chose a richer suitor for their daughter. The last was the great, the absorbing passion of a man in middle life, and endured as long as he lived. Its object was a most . . . sweet & lovely woman. Sue Smyth, a distant relation, but most intimate friend of mine. She had the purity, the simplicity of a child, with an excellent mind and good education.

A more unselfish being I never knew. From the time she was just grown, she devoted herself to the good of others: working assiduously as a teacher to aid in supporting her younger brother & sisters. With a faultless figure, & a charming face, manners full of graceful frankness & innocent vivacity, Sue was a most lovable woman, & Sydney, becoming enamored at first sight, loved her with a fond passion to the end of his days. She died about the time they were to have been married, & Sydney never got over the loss.

I remember now a passage in one of the last letters he wrote me in which he quietly, but so touchingly spoke of his feelings. “Time may change my feelings – but now, I would not give the little handful of dust that was her heart, for all the world contains.”

Time did not change him – but he sought to bring his spirit into harmony with how to become, like her, a Christian: & God was merciful, & gave to that living heart Himself for an object.

Sydney died suddenly, about eight years after Sue. In token of their warm affection, his kinsmen, William & John Preston erected a monument over his remains in the Cemetery of the Episcopal Church in Columbia. He lies beside our youngest brother, Benjamin, who died about twenty years before.

[Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).
Edward William Johnston (1799-1867).
Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866).
Algernon Sidney "Syd" Johnston (1801-1852).

One of the early engagements was, apparently, to either Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848) or Sarah "Sally" Buchanan Preston (1802-1879). The former married Henry Morton Bowyer (1802-1893) in 1827; the latter married John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863) in 1830. 

Sue Smyth (d. circa 1844). Probably related to Alexander Smyth (1765-1830) and Nancy Binkley Smyth (circa 1770-1832), and probably the Susan Smyth mentioned in an 1839 letter written by Edward William Johnston, when she was a student departing from his school in Virginia. 
William Campbell Preston (1794-1860). 
John Preston = John Smith Preston (1809-1881).
Benjamin Franklin Johnston (1808-1834).]

Wade Hampton III to Robert William Hughes, October 11, 1852

Algernon Sidney Johnston by Harvey Mitchell (Source: Peter Binckley)

[Wade Hampton III at Columbia, South Carolina, to Robert William Hughes at [Richmond, Virginia], October 11, 1852. Folder 24, Floyd-Johnston-Preston Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

Columbia Oct. 11^th 1852

My Dear Sir

Upon my arrival on the 9^th I rec’d your letter of the 4^th, asking for information as to the death of Mr. Johnston. Much to my regret I was absent when it occurred, & can give you only a few particulars.

He was taken sick but no one had the slightest fear of the result, & all supposed the attack to be merely some slight derangement which would soon pass off.

My father went up to Columbia, to bring him here to his house & Johnston promised to come the next day. On that day however when the carriage went for him he postponed the visit for a day or two.

Several of his friends were with him that night & he insisted that they should all go home, saying he would be well in the morning.

In the night his servant heard him groaning & going to his bedside (about 12 o’clock I think) found him speechless. Several of his friends were immediately summoned, but he never spoke again, dying about 2 A.M.

The Dr. supposes that there was inflammation of the bowels which caused his sudden death.

Every respect which affection & esteem could prompt was paid to his memory, & the town, where he was perhaps more universally beloved than other citizen, honored his remains by a public internment.

I, as one who loved him as a brother, have ordered a tombstone erected over his grave. Several of my family wish to join in its erection, as he was dear to all of us.

There was no one out of my immediate family whose loss I would have mourned as much as his. Indeed he was of my household, & was worthy of the love & esteem I bore him.

I will see to having all his affairs arranged at present, & will do all I can towards their final settlement.

                    With my love to Eliza, I am

                         Yrs very Resp’y

                          W. Hampton Jr.

R. W. Hughes Esq.

[Wade Hampton III (1818-1902) had married Margaret Buchanan Frances Preston (1818-January 27, 1852) in 1838 at Abingdon, Virginia.

Robert William Hughes (1821-1901) had married Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909) in 1850 at the Governor’s Mansion, Richmond, Virginia.

Mr. Johnston = Algernon Sidney Johnston (October 17, 1801-September 22, 1852).

My father = Wade Hampton II (1791-1858).]

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

Algernon Sidney Johnston to Eliza Mary Johnston, August 1846

[Algernon Sidney Johnston at Columbia, South Carolina, to Eliza Mary Johnston at [probably Abingdon, Richmond, or Washington City], August 1848. Box 24, Folder 1, 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. Extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]         
                                                  
                                                     Columbia August 1846

Dear Cousin Eliza

It would puzzle Mnemosyne and her nine daughters (of course a lady who learnt mythology and every thing else at Dr. Marks’ knows who they are) to tell how often I have intended to write to you. But at length here I am, engaged in that laudable undertaking. I believe you to be a good girl, besides which, there subsisted between your father and myself an affection even more than fraternal. A large portion of that affection his daughter would have inherited, even with less merit of her own than I hope and think she has. I should be sorry, therefore, to see our acquaintance cease, and make this effort to prevent it.

An interesting incident of any kind is rare in this quarter at this season. I’ll tell you what happened to me this evening, for want of something better. It was a balmy evening and gorgeous sunset, such as are unknown in your hyperborean clime, so I thought I’d fetch me a walk down towards the river. There was bit the least speck or wrinkle on the whole face of the hemisphere, which was all of one clear pure deep azure; so that I at once perceived the fallacy of the doctrine of the old philosopher, that the sky is composed of three elements. I then fell to consider what a rare prerogative the optic virtue of the eye hath, much more the intuitive quality of the thought, that the one in a moment can reach heaven, the other go beyond it. Therefore surely that philosopher was but a frantic fool who would have plucked out both his eyes, as a hindrance to his speculations. 

Moreover, as I was in this mood, I began to contemplate the immense magnitude of the universe, and to consider what proposition this poor globe of earth may bear to it. For if those numberless bodies which stick in the vast roof of heaven, though they appear to us as spangles, be some of them thousands of times bigger than the world, surely the astronomers have reason to term this sphere an indivisible point and a thing of no dimension at all, in comparison to the whole creation. I fell then to think that it is no more for God Almighty to fire this world, than for me to plank a road, yea a grain, of powder. 

As I was musing this I spied a swarm of knats [gnats] waving up and down in the air, which I knew to be part of the universe as well as I, and methought it was a grand opinion of old Aristotle, that the heart of these small unseated ephemerons is more noble than the sun, because it hath a sensitive soul in it. I then could not quite fail to think, that the proposition which those animalcule have with me in point of bigness, the same I bear in regard to those glorious spirits which are near the throne of the Almighty. What then, should we think of the grandeur of the Creator himself!

Walking a little further I spied a herd of cattle and horses, which made me think that if these strong animals knew their own strength they would never suffer man to be their master. Then looking upon them quietly grazing up and down, I fell to consider that the flesh which is daily dished upon our tables is merely concocted grass, which is reconcocted in our stomachs, and transmuted to another flesh. 

I fell also to think what advantages these innocent animals have of man, because as nature sends them into the world they find their food dressed, the cloth laid, and the table covered. They find their drink distilled, and their cloaths ready. And though man hath the faculty of reason to make him compensation for the want of these advantages, yet this very reason brings with it a thousand perturbations of mind and perplexities of spirit -- cares, sorrows and anguishes of thought – which those harmless silly creatures are exempted from.

Going on, I sat to repose myself on the trunk of a tree, and I then considered further what advantage that dull vegetable had over these feeding animals, as not to be so dependent upon or beholden to nature, nor to be subject to starving, to diseases, to the inclemency of the weather, and to be far longer lived.

Then I spied a great stone, and sitting a while upon it, I fell to weigh in my mind that that stone was in a happier condition in some respects than either of those animals or vegetables I saw before, in regard that it grows by assimilation, and needs neither grass, nor corn, nor water, nor the warmth of the sun, to maintain its life.

As I directed my pace homeward, I spied a hawk, soaring high in the air, and smoothly gliding up and down the clear region, so far above my head that I began to envy the bird extremely, and repine as his happiness, that he should have the privilege to make a nearer approach to heaven than is allowed to me. And so I came home.

There, you are a learned Lady (I mean for your age) have you ever read anything like that, and if so, when?

I have more to say, but defer it till next time, except that I am always your fond cousin

                                          A.   S. Johnston

[Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852), who lived the second half of his life in Columbia, South Carolina. 

Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909), daughter of Charles Clement Johnston and Eliza Madison Preston Johnston. She was Syd's niece, though he prefers to call her cousin. 

Dr. Marks = Elias Marks (1790-1886), head of Columbia Female College, known variously as Barhamsville Academy, Barhamsville Collegiate Institute and South Carolina Female Collegiate Institute.

Mnemosyne = Mother of the Nine Muses (with Zeus).] 

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

Algernon Sidney Johnston to Eliza Mary Johnston, April 1850

[Algernon Sidney Johnston at Columbia, South Carolina, to Eliza Mary Johnston [at Richmond, Virginia], April, 1850. J. Ambler (James Ambler) Johnston Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Section 7. From a rough transcript I made years ago. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading. This seems to be a fragment of a letter, or the first part of a longer letter. Eliza would marry Robert William Hughes at the Governor's Mansion in Richmond, June 3-4, 1850].

Dear cousin Eliza --

The Prestons (especially Tom) always begin a letter by apologizing and accounting for not having written sooner. In imitation of such august example I will explain me delay in three ways --

1st. The information you asked for had started towards Richmond before I got your letter.

-- 2d. The satisfaction with which I looked for the first time at your handwriting was naturally diminished by the circumstance that your communication was not a free will offering, but induced by a matter of business -- a mere call for information, as above mentioned.

--3rd. Your letter was no letter at all, but a note, about a third of the honest-sized sheet on which I am now writing as fast as I can. However, I am glad to hear from my fair cousin in any shape.

We are getting on very well at Hampton House, except that every thing on the place is eaten up, and we are now starving. We are as hungry as a hundred Hessians. Charity clamourously complains that she could cherr[?] a child or a cheval. Frederick is fidgety at finding neither fish nor fowl. Lanegan laments in lackadaisical language the lack of lamb or lobster in the landscape. Joe jabbers that his jaws would join joyfully upon even the joint of a Justice, a Judge, a Jesuit, or a Jew. Margaret makes a most melancholy moan for mutton, meal, meat or molasses. Shot (the setter) seems as if the smallness of the supply has so sharpened his stomach that he could swallow a sack of sausages or a shoal of shad. 

I don't know what would have become of me if an old hen about the place, moved with compassion at our destitute condition, had not begun to lay eggs most industriously. How much longer her charity may continue I can't say. 

And then, in addition to the pangs of starvation, I am in a considerable state of mental perturbation and alarm -- on the evening before her departure the Empress directed me to attend to four things. I distinctly recalled that they were four, but I can only remember what two of them are. 

Margaret Buchanan Frances Preston Hampton (source: Find a Grave)

Now when the Empress gets back and finds her orders only half performed, the consequences will be dreadful. To look at the mildness of her countenance, especially the gentle lines of that sweet mouth of the beauty of which she is so vain, you would little suspect what a passion she can get into. I am beginning to think of putting off for California -- unless you, my good cousin, can get me out of this awful scrape.

Can't you find out from her what were the four things she told me to do? Of course you can't ask her directly, for she is so dreadfully suspicious that she'd think at once I prompted you -- but you can say to her, in a kind of careless, cursory way "Empress, you must find cousin Sidney very useful about your place, he is so good and ob't I suppose you left him a great deal to [do] for you while you are away?"

"No," she will say (for she is utterly ungrateful) "He isn't of much account. I only told him to do four things -- and he had better not forget them!!" 

Then she'll mention what they were, and you can let me know. If this scheme fails I know of but one other resource (besides California) -- I will say to her on return, "Cousin Margaret, I was so afflicted by your absence that I lost half my memory, and therefore only did two of the four things you told me" -- As she is immediately fond of flattery, perhaps . . . 

Sculpture Model of Margaret Preston Hampton by Hiram Powers

[Algernon Sidney Johnston (October 17, 1801-September 22, 1852)
Margaret Buchanan Frances Preston Hampton (January 13, 1818-January 27, 1852) 
Eliza Mary Johnston (July 3, 1825-January 31, 1909), by then the lone surviving child of Charles Clement Johnston and Eliza Madison Preston Johnston.
Hiram Powers (1805-1873). His Greek Slave sculpture inspired an 1852 duel involving Algernon's brother Edward William Johnston (1799-1867). Here's a link to the above sculpture model. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Renwick Gallery.] 

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

Beverly Randolph Johnston to Eliza Mary Johnston, March 17, 1844

[Beverly Randolph Johnston at Wytheville, Virginia, to Eliza Mary Johnston care of Wade Hampton, Jr., Esq., Columbia, South Carolina, mail via Richmond, March 17, 1844. Box 25, Folder 1, 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. Additional paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

My dear Eliza

I received your truly welcome letter some days since, shortly before I left home for this place where I have been on business for a week past. Your censure of my silence might have been less severe than it was, for more reason than one.

In the first place a rebuke does not come with the best grace in the world from you; inasmuch as I have written just as often as yourself. Let it be remembered, also, that of a task so dull as writing to me was put out of your head by the excitements of travel, the gayeties of Columbia, or the copious conversations of Uncle Syd: that I too might be engrossed by cares, or pleasures, or cases interfering with the delightful occupation of letter writing.

I do trust, at least, that we both have learned not to estimate affection by the length or number of letters which we traditionally write or receive. In truth, I am inclined to suppose, that if you had known how my winter had been spent, till within the last ten days, even the mild, implied reproof which you gave me would have been spared.

I spent the entire month of November in a trip to Cabell. I was much exposed on the journey by reason of bad weather and high water, and contracted an indisposition in consequence, of which I am only free within a few days.

In December, I had only a few well days. In January none: in February none. So you may well imagine that a winter spent in the solitude of my office, just sick enough to be unfit for professional occupation, & just languid enough to abhor the idea of labor, must have been gloomy enough to expiate more offenses than my conscience accuses me of towards you.

You were already, as I learned from your letter, alarmed and distressed with the idea of your Aunt Sally’s ill health and I thought it would be unkind to write to tell you of a condition of my health which might unnecessarily disquiet you on my account.

So you see that altogether I can make out a very plausible case in excuse of my many sins as a correspondent. Above all, I hope that whatever be my demerits in the matter, you will not be what some one calls “wanting that sweet weakness, To forgive.”

I received a letter from your brother ‘tother day not written in exactly the most amiable temper towards me. The truth is, that he was greatly annoyed by my silence, and my failure to furnish him some certain monies which he required; and which I, being disappointed in getting them in Cabell, and disabled from obtaining elsewhere by my confinement at home as well as other causes which I will not weary you by reciting, could not send him.

I was hoping all the time for a speedy recovery which would remove all difficulty, and thus was unwilling to write till I could do more. All this was unexplained to Pres, and he was provoked and pained accordingly: and so expressed himself. I was grieved and pained in this matter, not so much on my account as his: not so much that he evinced less of kindness in his feelings towards me and less of confidence in mine towards him than I might have wished: as that he suffered pain and mortification.

As for myself, I have long since learned a lesson which teaches me to endure misconstruction of my actions or motives from those who are dear to me. If we wish a reward for what we do for others, we can only find an assured one in our own bosoms. And this, true as it is in general, is most true with a person unfortunately prone, like myself, to suppress all displays or expression of feeling, and desiring to be judged by acts, rather than professions of regard. This willingness to be and unwillingness to seem, while it does no harm to others, is apt to occasion many a wound to ourselves. But enough sundry stubborn and unenviable qualities, I have likewise this, and knowing and foreseeing the usual result, yet I shall not change. I am content to abide the penalty. But I have dwelt longer on matters rather concerning me than any one else, than is any good taste.

Such money as you may require tell Syd to furnish you on my account and I will replace it within 30 days after I am advised of the advance. This is more convenient than a remittance by mail of Virginia money not current in S. Carolina. There is likewise another reason. I am out of money now, and must buy my peace with Pres by sending him the first I can get. My poverty is only temporary, the result of sickness and confinement during the winter. I am now well & free and shall soon have what others want.

I hope your winter has been a pleasant one, more so than mine. I am, and whatever you or others may think, shall be ever, most affectionately yours

                                                                                  B.R. Johnston

P.S. I should have sent you money, but I told you when you went away, to tell your uncle Syd to give you whatever you required, and I would repay him. You are wrong in not truly appreciating him at his real worth: nor in confiding in a warmth and generosity of character merely veiled by coldness & reserve of manner. Correct this, and learn to do him justice in your opinion & more than that, your affections.    

[B.R. Johnston = Beverly Randolph Johnston (1803-1876)

Eliza = Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909)

Pres = John Preston Johnston (1824-1847)

Syd = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852)
Aunt Sally = Sarah "Sally" Buchanan Preston Floyd (1802-1879) or, possibly, Sarah Buchanan Campbell Preston (1778-1846), who wrote her last will and testament in 1844.  

Wade Hampton, Jr. = Wade Hampton II (1791-1858); or Wade Hampton III (1818-1902), who had married Margaret Buchanan Frances Preston (1818-1852), in Washington County, Virginia, on October 10, 1838.]

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

Algernon Sidney Johnston to Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston, May 16 [circa 1826 or 1827]

[Algernon Sidney Johnston at [Virginia] to "My D'r Friends" Louisa J. Johnston et alia at [Virginia], May 16, [circa 1826 or 1827], Box 1, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. This hand-delivered letter looks to have been hastily scrawled. It is difficult to decipher, but here is my rough transcription.]

My D'r Friends

I must try and write a few lines to you, you who will will ever be dear to my heart both of you as well as my dear John, I see no boy and thing like him except dear Mr. Moncure's son. Heaven grant they both be many things they [aspire to be].

I send a little present for my Ellen and yourself to let you see I remember you at all times. Louisa Blair[?] went immediately to see her sister, she gave me a [?] with her warm affections for you, she never has time to write. I believe I shall go to the North in the first steam boat after the 25th which will be the [?] often, my regards to [?] with my[?] which I have sent before in a long letter to you and Ellen but I do not know that you have ever received it, written the day after I received yours.

I have not heard from the Major yet. I send the pattern of a [?] for you and Ellen. I have sent you another but fear it will not get here time enugh to put up.

Sister C[?] sends her love to you and Ellen, and give mine to little Henry and your [?] sister. [N]othing would be more interesting to me then to see you all and my dear afflicted Jane. 

Heaven only knows where it will be, God bless you all and in Heaven, perhaps you may be at the Convention. I know it would be productive of the highest satisfaction . . . you and I can not help hoping you may be there if you are write and tell me what you think.

Adieu my dear dear very dear friends should you see the Major or Beverly remember me to them, I am compelled to write a short letter my heart is full towards you.

                                                         A. S. Johnston

[p.s.] I have this moment received your letter.

[Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852)
Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
John = John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889)
Mr. Moncure's son = [not sure who they are at the time of this post.]
Ellen = Ellen Eleanor Bowen (1817-1850)
Louisa Blair = [not sure who she is at the time of this post.]
The Major = Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877)
Sister C = [not sure who she is at the time of this post.]
Little Henry = Henry Smith Bowen (1820-1887)
Jane = either Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston's sister Jane Campbell Bowen Edmiston/Edmondson (1798-1841) or Algernon's sister, Jane Wood Johnston (1811-1892).
Bev = Beverly Randolph Johnston (1803-1876).]

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 Campbell Family Papers (1731-1969), here's a link to the guide.     

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

Eliza Madison Preston Johnston to Louisa Bowen Johnston, July 3, 1827

Sweet Springs, Virginia (now West Virginia) in the 1850s by Edward Beyer.

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston at Sweet Springs to Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston via Jeffersonville, Tazewell County, Virginia, July 3, 1827. Manually noted on envelope: Cloverdale, July 10th. The letter is dated inside as "July 3th." Box 25, Folder 6, 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 Sister

I can't tell you how much I was delighted on my arrival here from the Hot Springs to receive your letter it is the first word I have heard from you as my dearest little girl since left home this being her birthday. I determined to devote part of it to writing about her it is impossible for me to describe the feeling which the separation from my children has produced. 

I am afraid Mary will have entirely forgotten us before we return. My husband and myself both improved considerably when we first arrived here but we took it into our heads to go to the hot springs in the hope that it would entirely restore my right limb it however produced exactly the contrary effect it gave me great pain and debilitated me considerably it also produced a very bad effect upon my husband he had gained nearly six pounds of flesh the week before, all of which he lost while he was there he is very much afflicted today with a severe backach[e]. 

I hope the use of this water will soon strengthen him again there is very little company collected yet but if this hot weather continues it will drive the people from the lower country shortly. Cousin Nancy is here assisting to attend and is really vastly kind and attentive to us.

I suppose you have heard of poor Sarah and Syd's unfortunate differences and they have finally parted. I know not what to think of it I do not believe anything will ever reconcile them it would be useless and indeed wrong under the circumstances to attempt it.

My husband joins me in a great deal of love to you Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, to our little girl we scarcely know what to say kiss her over and over for us and if she is a good girl I will get her a pretty red frock.

[Y]our little namesake has improved considerably she has two teeth and getting others very fast she jabbers a great deal and has various other accomplishments to tedious to mension [mention].

[F]arewell my dear dear Sister I hope it will not [be long] before we will all meet in better health and spirits than when we parted. John I suppose has left you for school that is one of my reasons for wishing to be at home that I might take charge of him.

I must finished the servant is waiting to take this to the post office. I have a great many thongs to say which I can't write.

God bless you and believe me with the sincerest affection
                                   your friend and Sister
                                                                        E. M. Johnston

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston (1803-November 27, 1828) married Charles Clement Johnston (1795-1832), probably at Greenfield, on December 29, 1822. 
John Preston Johnston (1824-1847) was born on February 1, 1824. Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909) was born on July 3, 1825. Here called Mary; after her mother's death in 1828, she was more often called Eliza or Lizzie. Her sister Susan Louise (or Louisa) Johnston was born in December 1826 and died on September 23, 1827. 
Louisa Bowen Smith Johnston (1800-1873). Her one surviving child was John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889).
Cousin Nancy = probably Nancy Bowen Ward (1778-1835)
Sarah = Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848) or Sarah "Sally" Buchanan Preston (1802-1879).
Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852), often called Sid or Syd.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowen = Henry Rees (aka Reese) Bowen (1770-1850) and Eleanor Stuart Tate Bowen (1778-1833).]

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

Eliza Madison Preston Johnston to Louisa Bowen Johnston, October 7, 1823

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston at Abingdon to Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (near Tazewell, Virginia), October 7, 1823. Box 25, Folder 6, 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.]

I cannot tell you my dear sister how much I was disappointed when brother Peter returned without you, I calculated so certainly on your coming that I thought it unnecessary to write by him. I sincerely hope you will not be so unkind as to refuse to come with brother Sydney particularly when I tell you that I am entirely alone and expect to be so for 2 weeks.

My husband has gone to Wythe court and from there he will go to Botetourt for my sister, I have heard you express a wish to see her, do therefore come over and spend the winter with us; I assure you I need your assistance very much; I have grown so fat and chuncky [chunky] that I can hardly see and can't walk; don't you think I am in a bad way? I am a sight worth crossing the mountain to see. 

I believe there is little or no news in these parts if there is any brother Sid will tell you, but if you will come and stay with me I'll promise to tell you as many funny stories I did in the spring.

I am in a great hurry and must therefore bid you farewell begging you to kiss little John for me and don't let him forget me; remember me most affectionately to your kind parents and tell them I hope one day or other to have it in my power to return their kindness to me in my own house. 

[F]arewell again my dear sister and believe me to be yours ever affectionately

E. M. Johnston

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston (1803-1828) married Charles Clement Johnston (1795-1832), probably at Greenfield, on December 29, 1822. 
"Fat and chuncky" = she was "heavy with child." John Preston Johnston (1824-1847) would be born on February 1, 1824. 
Louisa Bowen Smith Johnston (1800-1873); Little John, her son = John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889).
Peter = Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877)
Sydney = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852), often called Sid or Syd. 
My sister = probably Susan = Susanna Smith Preston (1805-1857) or Sarah = Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848)]

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

John Warfield Johnston to Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston, June 22, 1834

[John Warfield Johnston at Columbia, South Carolina, to Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston via Tazewell Courthouse, Virginia, June 22, 1834,  folder 68, Trigg-Floyd Collection, Special Collections, John Cook Wyllie Library, The University of Virginia's College at Wise -- formerly Clinch Valley College -- Wise, Virginia. This is my rough transcription]. 

My dear mother

I sit down to write to you, after an interval of three weeks; a longer space than has yet intervened between any of my letters. This is not neglect. I expected to have been at home before this time: as matters now stand I can scarcely get there in less than three weeks or a month. Uncle Edward has had a long spell of sickness, from which he is just recovering, and he and aunt Estelle have gone out to the country to enjoy the cool air and water, leaving me here to keep house meanwhile. They return in a few days, intending to start, immediately, to some spring southe [sic] of this, to which I am to accompany them, and where they will stay, probably three weeks, but I don't want to go there, I had much rather come home, and will if I can get a [horse?] between this and then.

As soon as I received your last, I commissioned uncle Syd to buy a horse for me, which he did in a few days: and when I went to see it, I found an old, poor, sorebacked, hammerheaded, stiff and, I suspect, blind dray horse, which I refused to take, the instant that I saw it. Coming on horseback is a good deal cheaper than the stage, for what I would lose by buying a horse here and selling him there and my expenses on horseback would not be equal to my expenses in the stage when I would have to sell my saddle and buy a trunk.

Tell Henry I am much obliged to him for his advice but shall not take it: the weather is to [too] warm and the sand to [too] deep for that.

Give my love to all
your affectionate son
J.W. Johnston

[John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889)
Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
Uncle Edward = Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Aunt Estelle = Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar Johnston (1802-1848)
Uncle Syd = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852)
Henry = probably Louisa's much younger brother, Henry Smith Bowen (1820-1887)]