The following unsigned letter was penned in November 1840 from near Moorefield, Hardy county, Virginia [now West Virginia] which the author—a female—describes as the “wild woods.” The content of the letter informs us that the author was from Rappahannock county, Virginia, but was temporarily residing in Hardy county while working as a teacher. She wrote the letter to Miss Gertrude E. Green in Washington—the county seat of Rappahannock county in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley south of Front Royal. It was a major hub for trading and commerce in the area. I was unable to find much of anything on-line for Miss Green except for the mention of a letter that was addressed to her in Washington in 1842 by the Rev. Peter Leo Johnson, D. D. appearing in the Salesianum.
Transcription
Near Moorefield [Hardy county, Virginia]
November 5, 1840
Thank you a thousand times dearest Gertrude for your last letter; indeed it does my very soul good to receive such affectionate letters alone here in these wild woods. May you never know from experience how I prize them.
I have been very lonesome since I came from the Spring. Miss Nancy has been at home very little and Aunt Becky ges to bed almost as soon as it is dark. When not engaged with my books, my mind generally wanders to my absent friends, and amuses itself in speculating upon their various employments.
I hope you all had a pleasant time at Synod. Miss Nancy was very much pleased, particularly with the Radd’n company. In returning, they upset about 5 or 6 miles from Moorefield. Phebe was hurt very much. Her eyes were very black for a few days. She is well now—apropos of Phebe. What message was that John sent me? Something about its being reported here that I was engaged to be married to him, and he, “supposed I carried the joke on.” Now please, dear Gertrude, tell him to suppose no such thing; so far from carrying the joke on, I had never heard it before. I cannot imagine how he heard it for I do assure you. there has been no such report in Hardy [county]. Phebe told J. she had heard it, but she told me the only person she ever heard say anything like it was Aunt Betsy who she thought was vexed with me for not being willing to stay here, and in talking about my returning to Rappahannock, Aunt Betsy said she believed that was the reason. Poor Aunt Betsy is a very narrow-minded woman and when out of sorts, does not mind much what she says. All the girls know her so well, they do not regard her words at such times.
Uncle George had promised me to let Catherine go over with me as he would not employ Miss Gregory (of Rahway) but Miss Ewing does employ her without letting me know before spring. I told him and her to tell people that I would stay until spring, but as there was no written contract, their interest alone will be consulted. “Tis a selfish world we live in.”
I wish I had something intersting to write, my dear Gertrude, for I know you weary reading my little grievances. I almost wish I had a heart void of feeling, trifles annoy me so. If Miss E. had not said she would come here, I think my first class would have gone to Rappahannock with me though they did not like to engage for but five months at a time. Why will your ma not receive scholars for less than ten months? I think she will not get so many by it?
We have had a good many weddings since I saw you. I did not go to E[lizabeth] Gamble’s and George [E.] VanMeter’s [wedding] 1 , but went to dinner at W. D. VanMeters small company for a Hardy wedding. The company left very soon and I was glad when it was time to go to bed. Your beau, the red head Pollock, was there. Ann J. says, “How do you like him?” I believe he is in the neighborhood now. He is trying to get a school but as everybody believes his motive is to follow his cousin’s example and get a Hardy wife, they would not employ him, if he would teach for nothing.
Elizabeth McMechen and Mr. Timberlake 2 were to be married this evening but as Mr. A. Scott, her uncle, died yesterday, the wedding wil be put off until Tuesday. As [ ] would say, it seems the fates are against her. At the first, the family was opposed to it. Then Mr. Timberlake lost a brother a week or two ago. And now her uncle. Margaret still talks about you. She intended sending you an invitation.
I went to the election Monday and though I thought very silly to break up the school for it, yet I had to do it as the scholars would have gone anyhow. M. and I, with John Machin & assistance, had the honor of raising one Whig banner. All the merchants had two or three hung out. It was quite a lively day in Moorefield. When I left, Old Tip had about 200 votes, Van Buren 15. Miss Beggz’s father was there, the old Revolutionary soldier, and old Mr. McNeil who had not been in Moorefield before for twenty years.
If Aunt Nancy was here she would send you some message [but] she is at Aunt Polly’s. She was there all the time Mr. Scott was sick. She is an excellent nurse. Aunt Becky and Catherine say your Ma must come to the Presbytery next spring and bring all her children. They send their love. Ann J. and Phene said I must give their love to you all when I wrote.
When M. J. wrote, she said Dr. Leon’s was very ill with the typhoid fever. Has he got well? I hope Miss P. has entirely recovered and all are well at the Hermitage. Savilla’s so much dreaded nomination is over at last. She sent me the New York Advertiser in which it was puffed to the skies. I intended sending the paper but that lost it. Your Ma ought to have examinations and be puffed by the friends. Nothing is like it for keeping up schools. I send Vic the Rosebud with Miss Jacobs’ composition. Does Mr. B open your papers now?
Give my best love to H. S. Green. Tell M. J. it is time she had answered my letter. A great deal of love to her. I shall expect a letter very soon, full of news. To your ever dear Ma, my heart’s best love. You have no idea how much I want to see her and you all. Love to Victorine, Martha, and dear little Estelle. Tell Martha she ought to study French this winter of Susan McMuhen goes over with me. I would like them to be in a class.
Savilla spent the vacation with Miss Hunter of Delaware County, Pa. She thinks the Pennsylvanians very much like the Hardians, but more unpolished. The beaus think themselves very smart. She says they have that air. She was delegated with Philadelphians the short time she was there. The school commenced yesterday. I suppose she has returned. The examination lasted three days. A great many were there. She read Miss Lew’s composition. Her reading was very much praised. And Mr. Phelps told Miss Brown the Mathematical teacher that she had the art of making her propositions plain in demonstrating, which showed she understood what she was about which he thinks is the most essential thing in Geometry, I sent you an account of the examination I cut out of the Rayway paper but it is no so flattering as the one in the New York. Write soon, dear Gertrude. I shall be so happy to hear from you.
I saw your Uncle and Aunt Green in Moorehead a few days ago. your Uncle says he has heard Jack is taken wonderfully with Miss Ann J. C. Your Aunt was complaining of E’s not writing. They made many inquiries after you. They were at E[lizabeth] Gamble’s wedding.
1 George E. VanMetter (1818-1855) and Elizabeth Williams Gamble (1822-1891) were married on 15 October 1840 in Moorefield, Hard county, Virginia.
2 Ann Elizabeth McMechen (1819-1854) was married to Ambrose Cramer Timberlake (1819-1874) in November 1840. He was a merchant in Moorefield, Hardy county, Virginia [now W. Va.]
Spared & Shared 23 