Sarah Lauretta (Murphy) Gaston to her sister Eliza Margaret (Murphy) Walton, 1844-50

[From Sarah Lauretta (Murphy) Gaston to her sister Eliza Margaret (Murphy) Walton in Silver Creek, North Carolina. She says they reached home safely, but the roads were bad; says Becky lost her baby; talks about their garden; says they spent the night at Mr. Brown's on their way home and woke up with bites all over their necks and faces.

This is one of three letters by Sarah Lauretta (Murphy) Gaston to her sisters Harriet and Eliza. It's not known how or why they came into the possession of Georgiana Bowditch, although they all lived in or near Morganton, North Carolina, where Georgiana also lived.

This letter is undated, but from information in it was probably written between about 1844 and 1850. It says (her daughter) Eliza, who was born in 1841, "has just come with a pan of strawberries for supper," and a postscript refers to (her husband) "Mr. G.," who died between 1846 and 1850.

Addressed to "Mrs. E. M. Walton, Silver Creek."]

Dear Sister,1

We reached home safely wednesday evening, although the roads were worse than I ever saw them, some parts almost impassible. We found all of our family well with the exception of Becky. She lost her baby Sunday night and came very near dying herself, but is a little better now.

My garden was very much injured by the last frost and does not look very promising now, but I will keep in good heart. Perhaps it may do well yet. Tell Sister Harriet2 my Rockets are not up, but I have the largest and finest Poppies I ever saw. I have a fine prospect for Cabage and turnip seeds and will divide with you.

Sisters2 trunk is too large for the box and I have sent yours back with her sheets and quilt, little basket and trunk. Tell sister to get me a pair of scissors with some of that monney and bring them up when you come.

My dory [?] is finished and I am very much pleased with it. I notised on grassy creek that the oaks are just begining to put out. Here the leaves are full grown.

We staid at Mr. Browns the night after we left your house and I thought after I went to bed that the chinches were about to eat me up. I had a candle lighted but couldn't find any. Next morning E3 and I were broken out all over our faces and necks with bumps as large as the end of my finger. They still continue to be very much inflamed. I am at a loss to know what it is.

Eliza3 has just come with a pan of strawberies for supper. My paper won't allow me to write any more. My love to all.

Your affectionate Sister Lauretta4

Write by Albert.

P. S. Mr. G.5 sais he would be glad if you would bring his cloths up when you come.

  1. Eliza Margaret Murphy (1820-1886), Sarah Lauretta's sister
  2. Harriet Louisa Murphy (1825-1897), Sarah Lauretta and Eliza's sister
  3. Eliza Mary Gaston (1841-1877), Sarah Lauretta's daughter
  4. Sarah Lauretta Murphy (1822-1864)
  5. Alexander Francis Gaston (1804-abt 1848), Sarah Lauretta's husband