Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 16, 1928

Gifts and money | Health, illness and death | Holidays, birthdays and celebrations | Romantic relationships

William Eason writes May Yancey and discusses an argument concerning his marriage proposal to her over the Christmas holidays.

To: Miss. May. Yancey.
Esmont. Virginia
Postmark: Elizabeth, N.J.
JAN 16, 1928
9:30 PM
Esmont, VA
JAN 18, 1928
8 AM

Jan. 16, 1928

Dear May,

Your letter was receved, and I was very glad to hear from you. Althou my letter hurted you to your heart; you wrote the same letter in return. I am not heart broken. It's that you are so easily hurted, I am sorry if you are It wasn't an unpleasant letter it was what was in my heart, that what hurted me. I told you the same thing before you left after thinking over the nights that we were to gether that came in to my mind. And to relieve my self I wrote and told you again;

you know I am telling you the truth, it hurted you to know that I wasn't going to give you a present I did say in Oct that I was going to give you one but at the time there were other

(page 2)

II

Things more important than that. I admit that I was going to give you a present but not the ring. then after the seeing the expression on your face and hearing what you said. I kept my promise. But there was something of greater importance for me to look after after I explained the situation and my condition if you had been a girl who realy cared then you would have over looked it at that time.

Yes, when you left we were very pleasant toward each other, but as long as we have been going to gether I thought you were a different girl It was my plan too, to see whether you realy loved me. I guess it would be that way if we were married if I could give you what you wont when you wonted then I would have to seek the consequence. The reason I did not write to you was because I had a terriable cold and I still have it and then too I am feeling well.

(page 3)

III

I am not giving you the cold shoulder about the ring because if I didn't wont you to have it I wouldn't have given it to you. you don't have to send it back to me if you dont want it throw it away I haven't asked you to send it back. you know when a person put all the confidence in the world in a person what else can you expect. you know I would do any thing I possiable could for you if I could It wasn't the act of given you the ring, but the way you acted when I told you that I wasnt going to give you a present. I am hoping you can live the rest of your days. I told you because it was in me and it really hurted me more than my letter hurted you. Yes, you have did quite a few things for me which I appreciates, It's not what you do for a person but how you do it then too you don't have to worry a at bout Dec. 28th as there isn't

(page 4)

any thing to be afraid of on my part because you know that it wasn't any thing put there to be afraid of so get all of the worry off of your mind.

You said the better you treat a person the worse they get treated. I admit that; yes, we treat each other about the same, You are not leading me a merry gate. I never told you that you were Crazy but you told me that I was. Althou you a perfect angel. I enjoyed being with you xmas even thou you said what you did; Why? because I loved you and trust you always. Did I say and thing about discontinuing my friendship well then why mention it. I don't have to say sweet words take them for any way you wont to, you recived my letter Sat. It was last week wasn't it.

Sincerely
Bill.

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

Move to:

Understanding the Online Presentation of the Yancey Letters
Yancey Collection Home
Race and Place Home