January 1, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown: Miss Jane and my Father each took us for walks yesterday, and then we went to see the giants and the Australian children. Father’s cold is better. My mammy is churching today. Willy has commenced multiplication; I find long division very hard. I ride my velocipede everyday. The Negroes are celebrating their freedom today by a procession. Peggy sent us 17 pounds of butter. The chimes rung out the old year and in the new last night. January 5, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown: A wild wind yesterday. We are going to try and turn over a new leaf this year. Willy has ringworm on his face and neck. I had a long ride on my velocipede yesterday. January 8, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: I lost a tooth and poor Willy has ringworm. We had a nice time last night playing ten pins and martelle. We also tried my lantern, but it did not show the pictures very well. January 8, 1870 H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg to Fanny B. Coalter Brown. Will have Bedford land deeded to trustee for her benefit. January 12, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown Miss Jane has made some nice sausage and also lard, for which she used your recipe. Your flowers in the pit are green. Willy’s neck is better, but Mammy is poorly. “Has there been any skating in NY yet?” January 15, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown Jimmy Dean has been visiting, but went home last night. It is warm today – the house is open airing. Mammy is better today. We played two games of Martell last night; I won both. The train is now coming in and I wish so much you were on it, Miss Maria and Johnny are here. 19 January 19, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown: Went to Sunday school and church yesterday. Miss Jane read to me last night. I only have three questions in my catechism, but the answers are long. My Father is not well today. My Mammy is better but weak. Maria and Johnny stayed till after tea on Saturday due to the rain. . . . Miss Jane got my Father to send for the Dr. this morning – he leeched him on the temple and gave him some pills. He is also going to treat Willy’s ringworm with iodine. January 19, 1870 H. Peronneau Brown to Francis B. Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. Had my head leeched at each temple, and hope the treatment will relieve it. January 21, 1870 H. Peronneau Brown to Fanny B. Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. His illness and separation. “The wealth which we both enjoy in our devotion to each other and to our beloved boy.” Hope your stay in NY has made you well enough that there will be no more separations. January 22, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: I am in fractions. Very hard mental arithmetic. Father is much better. January 26, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va.: We had a nice time at Cousin Eliza’s church twice yesterday. I sent you a few violets from the pit. January 29, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va. I am going down to White Hill with Miss Jane after dinner. We expect my Uncle in the morning; mammy Jane is coming with him and I wish Hamilton would come too. . . . My Uncle did not come. We are going to singing school this evening. My mammy is churning and cleaning. Miss Jane washes our neck and arms every day, but we only have a bath on Saturdays. February 2, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: My Uncle is coming. My catechism is hard, but I like my bible questions. Miss Jane took us to the Mission School yesterday to hear the children sing. Your hens are laying. I would like to go with my Father to bring you home and stop at Baltimore to see the “buxom young lady.” We are going to the depot to meet my Uncle. February 5, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va. My Uncle came yesterday, so Miss Jane gave us holidays. My Father and Uncle rode out to Walnut Hill today. Aunt Turner sent presents to Willy, Miss Jane and me. Uncle says Hamilton is splendid and little Mary a bouncer. Glad you will be home soon. February 8, 1870 H. Peronneau Brown to his wife, Fanny Coalter Brown: Hope you continue to improve. I know you enjoyed the oysters after your dry Cossack fare. February 9, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va. So glad you are getting well so fast, also that you liked the violets. Miss Jane says she has fattened up and you may expect to see a great fat Irish woman when you come home. February 12, 1870 H. Peronneau Brown to his wife, Fanny Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va.: We continue well. Write me when the doctor thinks you can come home. February 12, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: Willy and I are going to have a tournament. We have our lances and I will be the knight of Minahaha. We went to singing school and then I went to see Johnny Joynes, “such a nice boy.” I sent you [enclosed] some violets. All the Yankee soldiers have left Petersburg. February 16, 1870, John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: Thanks for the valentines. Miss Jane hung the meat in the smokehouse today. We went out to Blandford and Slaters, and this morning my Father rode out to Walnut Hill. Miss Jane is cutting citron for my birthday cake. Circa February 17, 1870, John Thompson Brown to Mother Petersburg Gives his birthday list which includes an air rifle. February 19, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. We took my magic lantern to Mrs. Joynes last night and had a nice panorama. The music box played beautifully. My birthday presents and dinner… [described in length]. February 23, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va.: I sent you some cake. We rode down to White Hill with Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Payne of Africa, who told us about Africa at St. Paul’s on Sunday. Describes his reading and Sunday school preparations. February 26, 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va.: Mr. Tennant told me yesterday that he understood you would be home this week. Do you mean to surprise us? . . . this was a mistake. Miss Jane got nine eggs today. 5 March 1870 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. Miss Jane reads to them. “Mrs. Brownley of this place went over to Richmond Wednesday to the funeral of the great Methodist minister, Dr. Smith, the horses ran away, upset the carriage and injured her very much.” Other family news. 5 March 1870 Mother [Francis B. Coalter Brown] to John Thompson Brown New York, NY Sorry to know that you have “been a bad boy.” Miss Jane is so good to you; do not giver her trouble. Am sorry to disappoint you by not coming home, but it can’t be helped. “Hope to go during this month.”