Scope and Contents

St. George Coalter receipt for "my husband's whiskers."

Scope and Contents In the first letter, May 18, 1853, Mattie Morton writes to Fanny Bland that she is delighted that Fanny plans to visit. Lizzie’s wedding is in two weeks, but she is not going. Two of Joe’s friends will wait on him; wish Fanny could catch one of them, particularly Charlie Anderson. The second letter, August 10, 1853, John Coalter to his sister Fanny B. Coalter Stanley, Virginia: Her ball at the White Sulphur Springs. His social activities, including parties. "St. left us for school...he did...

Scope and Contents January 10, 1854, Cousin Georgia to F.B. Coalter: Thanks for hospitality during visit. Give my best love to all at [Chericoke]. March 4, 1854, Mattie H. Morton to F.B. Coalter Buffaloe, Va.: “While entertaining a rather silent gentleman last night, I thought of you, Cousin Alf and Tucker Bryan in the parlor at Stanley.” Large party of people from Petersburg had a dance in Farmville…at the hotel.” Her religious views and prayer. August 1854, Mattie Morton to F. B. Coalter Buffaloe, Va.: Hot...

Scope and Contents June 10, 1855 Fanny T. Bryan in Gloucester, Va. to F. B. Coalter: Wanted to go to Stanley, but Mother needed me. Best wishes for your health and happiness. "Write me everything about the wedding (20 or 30 pages) Georgia – Be a good girl and I will love thee.” October 19, 1855 F.T. Bryan in Chatham, Va. to ‘Bland’ (Fanny B. Coalter at Stanley): Plans for the fair. While in Richmond, visit with Mary Cherallie [?] and Cousin Liz, and then you. “Your Aunt Margaret is here and looks much better.”...

Scope and Contents March 22, 1856 Maria [Morrow?], Staunton Hill, Va. to Fanny Coalter: Mr. Clark and Mr. Bruce visiting next week. “ I fear buggy rides with their fast horses. “Wish you were here. Mr. Gilmer could visit you here, where there is a ‘charming little walk winding through the woods’ – most conducible to thoughts of love.” Write to me: Cub Creek, Charlotte County. July 4, 1856 Mattie Morton at Buffaloe, Va. to Fanny: Not well enough to go to Commencement, but went to party later. Very few beaux...

Scope and Contents March 25, 1857 Unknown sender at Eagle Point, Va. to Mrs. J. H. Coalter Pa.: The girls arrived home after a wonderful time in Georgia and South Carolina, “with much attention paid them.” Papa picking up Ran, who is sick, from school in Chatham. His legs are weak. “Dr. Page wrote Dr. Carmichael that he thought “his affection [sic] nervous…Next to my own sainted Mother, there is no one like you, “my precious Aunty.” May 4, 1857 Unknown sender in Pensacola, Florida to F.B. Coalter: “Let’s...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents July 2, 1858, F. B. Coalter to Fanny B. Coalter Stanley, Va.: “Love me very, very much, it is all that I ask.” Hope your hand is better. July 8, 1858, G.S.B. to Fanny B. Coalter Eagle Point, Va.: “I agree with you in not thinking engagements very pleasant, for I never felt more anxious in my life . . . wish I could hear you talk about H.P.” Mr. Howard has behaved dreadfully. He has been staying with us. October 31, 1858 J. Thompson Brown & M.S. Brown to Fanny B....

Scope and Contents July 31, 1859 F. T. B. to Mrs. H. P. Brown Carysbrook, Va.: Deep sympathy at your Mother’s death. “…taken by a merciful God from so much pain and suffering . . . to that haven of rest prepared for the faithful.” Visit. September 1, 1859 Unknown sender to Fanny Carysbrook, Va.: “I want so much to comfort you and “dear old Stanley – it grieves me to think I may never be there again. I have had many happy hours in that house . . . You can always renew home ties at Eagle Point.” September 26,...

Scope and Contents January 26, 1860, Aunt L.J.M. [?], The Grove, to Mrs. H. P. Brown, Petersburg, Va.: Still at the Grove because of Annie’s confinement with a third girl. “William took the liberty of getting your Aggy a wonderful nurse.” All are well at your house. Page has whitewashed your henhouse. Annie’s baby is “named after my Mother and sister, Fanny Brown.” February 24, 1860, William J. Braxton to Mrs. H. P. Brown, Loving Creek, Va. Richmond, Va.: All is well at home. April 16, 1860 Fanny to Fanny...

Scope and Contents April 11, 1861 H. Peronneau Brown, Bedford, Va. to his wife, Fanny Coalter Brown: “Crops are growing very well ... so much to be done here ... Get well as soon as you can ... be ready to come back with me…” August 16, 1861 H. Peronneau Brown, Yorktown, to his wife, Fanny Coalter Brown: Came down the river with your Uncle Harrison and spent the night in Thompson’s tents. Reports on various relatives and acquaintances. “Visited the almshouse in Richmond yesterday and saw a great many of the...

Scope and Contents

August 30, 1867 H. Peronneau Brown, Yellow Sulphur, to his wife, Fanny Coalter Brown: His health. The place is comfortable. Arrived by the cars from Lynchburg and have already seen a number of acquaintances, including Alfred Jones and his wife.

Scope and Contents

August 24, 1868 H. Peronneau Brown to his wife, Fanny Coalter Brown, Yellow Sulphur: Hope you will come soon and bring John. Deed, November 14, 1868, Mrs. Mary S. Brown and J. Wilcox Brown to convey one-third of her residuum to J. Wilcox Brown in trust for H. Peronneau Brown.

Scope and Contents 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,...

Scope and Contents 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...

Scope and Contents March 13, 1871 G. B. Grinnan, “Brampton,” to Fanny. Remedy for miscarriages. “A simple remedy and can do no harm . . . hope that it may do you some good.” Family news. March 14, 1871 John Thompson Brown to Cousin Lizzy Petersburg, Va. [?] Charlie has come here to go to school and we have great fun shooting and playing martelle. I went out to Walnut Hill Tuesday. My Father and I started to work our garden this evening; Mother’s peas and beets are already up. October 9, 1871, John Thompson...

Scope and Contents October 21, 1872 $18 invoice for smoked colored velvet bonnet. T. B. Bruton to [Mrs. ?] at Mrs. Wilcox Brown’s. October 24, 1872 John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Went to the fair Wednesday. Saw Cousin Ben – also two enormous hogs, a cow with twins, a baseball match and horse races. October 25, 1872, John Thompson Brown to his Mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va. Saw wild geese go over last night. October 26, 1872, John Thompson Brown to his Mother,...

Scope and Contents

January 2, 1873 Invoice for the 2nd quarter tuition for J. T. Brown at the McCabe School. $30.

Scope and Contents April 4, 1874 John Thompson Brown to his mother, Francis B. Coalter Brown, Petersburg, Va. Miss you. Am sure your trip will be an adventure. Charlie has killed half a dozen robins and seems to enjoy his holiday. July 10, 1874 B. W. Mosley to Mrs. H. P. Brown New London, Va. How should we handle your $40 contribution to the church debt? There are two churches I would like you to help with this money: a new church nearby or Old Pisgah, rather than applying it as first contemplated. Sallie Lee...

Scope and Contents May 25, 1875 F. B. Brown to H. P. Brown Petersburg, Va. Hope he will stay as long as he is enjoying himself. Thompson is at school. April 29, 1875 H. Peronneau Brown to Fanny Bedford, Va. I have not been very well, but expect to go to Lynchburg next week. I have been planting till stopped by the rain. May 27, 1875 Fanny Bland Coalter Brown to H. Peronneau Brown, Petersburg, Va. Heath and children discussed. Sorry you are sick, I too have been unwell – bad cold. Thompson has been kept very...

Scope and Contents

August 18, 1876 H. Peronneau Brown to Fanny, Petersburg, Va. I expect to go to Lynchburg today. Write to me at Baltimore. December 23, 1876 H. Peronneau Brown to Fanny Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. Hope you get down to Hanover safely and comfortably, and that Thompson will find a good deal of game in his hunting. What kind of saddle does Charlie want?

Scope and Contents February 25, 1877 Cousin F. T. Carmichael to Fanny, Had expected you and Mr. Brown on the train tonight. Now will expect you Thursday, the 27th. I have been ill but am well now. Coalter is the only child who takes after my family; the rest are all Carmichaels. April 12, 1877 H. Peronneau Brown to Fanny Coalter Brown Petersburg, Va. “I still suffer with my head.” While you are in Fredericksburg write to see what taxes are due on your land. May 29, 1877 H. Peronneau Brown to Fanny Coalter...

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

Papers and correspondence of three generations of the Brown Family of Virginia:  Frances (Fanny) Bland Coalter Brown and her husband, Henry Peronneau Brown (1838-1888),  J. Thompson and Cassie Tucker Brown (1890-1920) and Frances Bland Brown and Fleming Sanders (1921-1964).

Scope and Contents 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...

Scope and Contents November 2, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Am just back from a visit in Richmond, where I stayed with Cousin Cassie and also Aunt Alice. I have followed your advice and have not had a playing card in my hand this session. November 17, 1878 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Enjoyed a nice tea with friends, walked out to walnut hill yesterday also. Willie has been promised a job at the 99 cent store just before Christmas. I wrote to...

Scope and Contents January 3, 1879 Bettie to Aunt Old Church, Va. Hope your holidays were as nice as ours, we expect Cousin Cassie tomorrow. I am going to Richmond to have my teeth fixed. Uncle John is here with us. January 11, 1879 J. Thompson Brown to his Mother, F. C. Brown Petersburg, Va. Glad Aunt Lucy is better. Uncle John still in Hanover. Went ice skating at Puddledock today, and to a hop in town Friday night. I’d like to call on Miss Sallie Doggett occasionally if I have your permission. Everyone...