Mary C. has been ill. Sister is cast down because her school has increased a little but she has no boarders. Jean Stone is here but she takes the place of Frank. Mary wishes John could help her. John has taken a school. Letter from Blair last week, he is in Sumter, Alabama with Powell helping to build his house where he will stay this year and make a crop. Powell has bought land and is settling; he has a very good school. Blair wants Mary C. to go live with him because he believes she would like the neighborhood although she is unsure of this. Mary C. is going to Vicksburg next fall. Mr. Garland had an accident. He had got to Wheeling and expected to leave in the evening for St. Louis. Mr. G seems in good spirits and it was fortunate that Mr. Rose went with him. Mr. Rose carried Albert and Jim with him and after he was hurt, John Rose had to leave Mr. G and take them to Wheeling to keep them out of the way of the Abolishi. He hired them out there and then went back for Mr. G. Anne first received a letter from Mr. Rose which was initially alarming if it wasn’t for Mr. Garland’s postscript. Lewis Burwell is in from Alabama, he got there on December 29th, and it is assumed it was a courting expedition. John Burwell has another son. Alexander Boyd is to be married to Sally Young. Mary Burwell staying in town all winter and sends her love. Servants are delighted at the thought of moving west. If Mr. G likes his family, he will move in the fall which is a long time for Mary C. to look forward to and thinking about it makes her dread it very much. Saw an account of a tornado which passed through Gloucester and Mathews and is curious as to whether it was near Fanny. Hired Lucy out this year for $30. Mary does all the necessary work except washing which is done by Charlotte because Anne has no boarders. Little Fan sends love. The baby is named Spotswood.