Scope and Contents January 19, 1869 H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg, to his wife, Fanny Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. Will try to send you 4 letters a week. Have written to Mr. Gill [?] sending him a check and asking that he make the deed to me. Enclosed is a letter to you from Mr. Shepperson. The boys are well. July 10, 1869 F. B. Brown to her son: Been in bed for 10 days and do not feel very well today. “I know the fresh mountain air will make you bright . . . be a good boy.” November 4, 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown): “Have you seen the doctor and what did he say? We made a clean sweep of it and got into our room – very comfortable.” Thinking of you and Father. November 10, 1869 H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg, to Fanny Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: Thompson is a good boy and looks well. Went to Walnut Hill and Mother’s tomb today. Your friends are glad that the doctor has pronounced you improved. November 13, 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) Petersburg, Va.: Father took them to see Paradise Lost, the pictures were wonderful. Went to see “Grandmother’s beautiful tomb at Blandford cemetery.” Father went to see General Magruder speak. Mammy Jane going to Uncle’s in Baltimore. Family news. All are well and send love. November 17, 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) Petersburg, Va.: Received three letters from her, has written her four. Studying history and learning new hymns and psalms. Father took him to see ‘mud machine’ digging out the river. My Mammy is going to church today. Willy coming after dinner. November 19, 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) Petersburg, Va.: Willy is here. Ann’s baby died of burns. Mammy Jane started for Baltimore today. Father took him and Willy to the wharf and on board two oyster boats. “What does the doctor say about your coming home? Miss Jane got two eggs from your hens today.”If she has enough eggs by Saturday, she will make pudding – wish you could have some.” November 23, 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) Petersburg, Va.: Gas man put in a new meter. Starts division on Monday “I know my Mother is the best in the world. . . I will try to find something nice to write you everyday. Willie and I are playing and studying together.” December 4, 1869 H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg, to Fanny Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: Hope she is better. Enclosing three checks. Promise to write more often. Miss Jane will send the pills. December 4, 1869 John Thompson Brown, Petersburg, Va. to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) in New York: Sorry that she is “slow spirited,” hopes she will be home by Christmas. Having fun with Willy. Dr. Withers’ medicine helped. “ We nearly lost Sunday’s dinner – Toby was standing on his hind legs with his nose in the dish.” 6 Dec. 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) Petersburg, Va. Thompson is well and interested in Sunday school. Hope that the Almighty will guide my dear son “from trouble and trial in the future.” Hope you will soon come back to us improved in every respect. 6, 7, & 8 Dec. 1869 John Thompson Brown, Petersburg, Va. to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown), New York Wants a 4-wheeled velocipede for Christmas. Will is slow with his lessons. Trouble each night getting Toby in the closet. Went to church twice on Sunday. “Tomorrow is your wedding anniversary and we will have a very nice dinner including a custard with whipped cream, blancmange, preserved ginger, and fruitcake. We are going to send you some of the cake.” Paul cut many limbs off trees in the graveyard. Father may let us ride out to Walnut Hill in the wagon on Saturday.” Reading about Cleopatra “a very wicked woman, she poisoned her little brother who was only 11.” 7 Dec. 1869 H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg, to Fanny [Coalter Brown] Petersburg, Va. 11th anniversary of their marriage, “of which happy occasion I wish you many happy returns. Had a fine dessert-custard, fruitcake and preserved ginger. Much activity this week– a board of trade dinner, Methodist fair, and concert by the music club. 10 Dec. 1869 and 15 Dec. 1869 (incomplete) John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) “Willy and I have tried Miss Jane’s patience today over our lessons.” She sent a box of pretty items to Aunt Turner for Hamilton. “Has the doctor told you yet when you can come home? There was a tournament at the fairgrounds today. They were going to crown a queen tonight, but you had to be invited to go.” Going to Walnut Hill tomorrow. Dec 15 – partial Father bought a barrel of flour Saturday—very white.”The fine bells are going to jingle, jingle, jingle, -- they ring every night. I scared Miss Jane by jumping out at her. “O such news—Aunt Turner has got a little daughter! The clothes Miss Jane made were for the baby, not for Hamilton. We have been walking nearly all day, Father has just gone to a concert at mechanics hall. We are all so sorry you can’t come home (sic) Christmas.” 16 Dec. 1869 H. Peronneau Brown to Fanny Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. Checked on the velocipede at the express office this evening but not yet arrived. Thompson will be delighted with the velocipede and the candy. All are well. 22 Dec. 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) We have just sent off a Christmas box filled with presents for Lizzy, and I am sending you a gift with this letter. I hope that you like it; I got one exactly like it for my Father. Went shopping today and the stores were filled with pretty toys. Met some of your friends. Mammy is right well and so is Toby. Got your letter and am sorry you are in bed sick. Willy and I have been fighting famous battles with our little soldiers. We have cut out a great many pictures for our scrapbook. Miss [sic] is downstairs fixing for Christmas, so you must excuse mistakes. 23 & 25 Dec 1869 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) Last night we played Martell till 10 o’clock. Went to the tournament and enjoyed it. No Christmas gifts have come yet. Fears his Uncle has forgotten him because of the new baby. 28 Dec. 1869 H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg, to Fanny [Coalter Brown] Thompson and Willy send love. Thompson likes the velocipede. He has a magic lantern from Uncle and other gifts including fireworks. 29 Dec. 1869 Petersburg, Va. [?] John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Frances Coalter Brown (Mrs. H.P. Brown) Raining for days. Unable to ride my velocipede or go to the Sunday school. “Uncle Walker sold my pigs for $ 5.50… Father has just given a book a piece to Willy and me…He is going to take us to see a giantess, 8’11”.” “Willy and I threw some pop crackers on the kitchen fire today and scared Aunt Cherry out.” Father has a bad cold. “He says he did not send you anything you could get something better in N.Y. “ 31 Dec. 1869 H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg, to Fanny [Coalter Brown] Bought children firecrackers, took children to see wild Australians, the Nova Scotian Giantess and a French gigantic soldier. Circa 1869 H. Peronneau Brown, Bedford, to his wife Hope Thompson’s cold is better.