February 17, 1878 Martin D. Coalter to his Aunt, F. C. Brown Bellevue, Va. Am going to school at Tampatike. Uncle Tomlin is here most every night – other news of family and friends. March 27, 1878 S.V. (Mary Southall Venable, formerly Mrs. J.T. Brown) to Fanny A trip to Petersburg, made miserable by sleeping with Mr. V. at the hotel “bouncing beds – shook me like a joggling board” and his snoring . . . “I like Mrs. V. much better than I expected.” Thompson is splendid . . . so genteel and quiet and sensible. March 4, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to Mother Petersburg, Va. Enclosed is my report card – not a good one. Two short poems he has written in body of letter. March 15, 1878 J.T. Brown to Mother, Petersburg, Va. I only go to Miss Ella’s occasionally. Would like your permission to spend some Friday nights away. Mr. McCabe said you must write him about this. I am glad you are coming; will you say on Friend Street? April 2, 1878 H. Peronneau Brown to wife, Mrs. H. P. Brown Bedford, Va. I expect to come down on Monday the 8th . . . to be “with you in the old house for a day or two.” If you wish the fruit trees planted before you come up, let me know.” May 7, 1878 J.T. Brown to Mother Petersburg, Va. Love to Father and Mammy Braxton. Has magnolias for you. Mrs. McCahees gone to the temperance lecture. Name puppy Flush or Tasso. May 16, 1878 Mary S. Brown to Willcox, Charlottesville, Va. Gives a biographical sketch of John Thompson Brown’s life. He died in 1864. The sketch includes accounts of Harpers Ferry and Civil War battles, including Gettysburg. May 18, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Willie Beasley and John Critcher are planning to go up with me … “Have my room fitted up with two beds.” Examinations commence soon … “Out of the 8 boys at school, 4 are from Mr. McCabe’s house.” May 28, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Baseball, billiards, and school. Tell Mammy I can’t write to her now, but the next letter shall be to her all to herself. “Braxton leaves for Media tomorrow … he certainly is an obliging servant.” June 6, 1878 H. P. Brown to son J. T. Brown Bedford, Va. Study well for your examinations. Mr. Judkins says that the Friend Street yard is much overgrown; go around there on Saturday and see what can be done to make the walks look better. June 8, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown, Petersburg, Va. Want to stay longer and if “at 17 I am not large enough to take care of myself … when will I be?” Would like to go to Old Point for July 4th. John Dunn’s terrier Pax bit me on the hand. I need a new everyday suit. June 28, 1878 H. P. Brown to his son, J. T. Brown Bedford, Va. Preparations for the visit of your Cousin Cassie. Get money from Mr. Judkins for your Fortress Monroe excursion. Mammy Jane had better come with you. June 30, 1878 Lillie Quarler to ‘friend’ Petersburg, Va. When you are through with the letter from Mrs. Venable please return it; the Methodists borrowed it and only returned it a few days ago. I am very tired of sewing. July 19, 1878 T.D. Witherspoon to Willie Petersburg, Va. I have been trying to locate a job for you – unsuccessfully. Would like to have you here under my ministry again. August 26, 1878 Brother John Coalter to Fanny C. Brown Walnut Hill, Va. I have no money to visit you. Maybe next summer. Will sent the yeast powders. October 6, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Mr. McCabe has seventy boys, “the largest attendance I have ever known him to have.” Am going on a partridge hunt next Saturday. September 17, 1878 Alfred Jones to Mrs. Brown, Petersburg, Va. Thanks her for having recommended Lizzie to him and possibly him to her. He is ecstatic at having won her love and looks forward to their marriage. He may well leave Old Street for a better job opportunity. October 9, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown, Petersburg, Va. There are two new boys here, both very nice. Please write Mr. McCabe you permission for me to spend Friday nights with Bill or Frank. October 7, 1878 Roper Davis to Mrs. Brown Petersburg, Va. Thanks so much for your hospitality. Sorry that Thompson couldn’t bring his horse down, “as school drudgery is awful after the first week.” Mr. McCabe opened with a pretty large school … “with a good many small boys.” October 7, 1878 H. P. Brown to his son, J. T. Brown Bedford, Va. Hope you are studying hard, especially Latin and Greek “so that you may be well prepared to enter college.” Additional Fatherly advice about money and religion. October 9, 1878 J. T. Brown to H. P. Brown, Petersburg, Va. Needs money and discusses school. October 12, 1878 Bettie Braxton to Aunt School and give love to servants and family. “We are all once more fixed at school.” Please send advanced French grammar if you have it. October 14, 1878 H. P. Brown to son J.T. Brown Bedford, Va. Praises teachers: Mr. Taylor had an Uncle who was a college acquaintance of mine and who was killed in the war; Mr. Turstall from you description will be very good. “A Christian boy with a good sound head and a liberal education” has a noble start in life. I need more workers on the farm. Check into availability of some for me. October 20, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Hope to go over to Richmond. Please give permission for that and for my dropping of French. I will write to mammy soon.