Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 6, 1921

Church and religion | Community life | Gifts and money | Health, illness and death | Place--Esmont, VA | Place--Petersburg | Place--Richmond | Romantic relationships

Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, to tell her all the news from Esmont, Virginia. Harriet gives May a lecture on how to be a "good girl" in college.

To: Miss May E. Yancey.
V.N.I.I.
Ettricks Virginia
From: H.A. Yancey
Esmont Va.
Postmark: Esmont, VA
JAN 7, 1921
8 AM

January 6, 1921

My Dearest Daughter-

Your letter to hand glad to hear from you and know you are all ok. I am not feeling so good have dreadful cold chest cold. weather so changeable. B is not [missing text] either cold also, Nora and Miss Dickey is back & in School They both send best regards Nora took a notion to write you Miss D say she will write soon well Tuesday the School children had this tree Mrs Robinson

(page 2)

2

gave $10,00 as usual & Mr Terry gave crate of oranges now for ?pray? Cousin Fannie Mrs Smith Mrs Jones & I was [missing text] everything went of nicely Beatrice left last friday. she shore look well she did not want to go as much as usual- Lucy went with her to station she went on after noon train & staid in Richmond all night did I tell you about Willie's sermon he preach a splendid sermon if he continue in prayer & study God word I think a bright future await him

(page 3)

3

Yes Mrs Forsythe is dead they had a special train to carry the body & family I was at the station they envited all who wish to go had we know that Cousin Fannie Miss Moore Mrs Jones I & many others would have gone because the special brought them back 9 oclock same night just think I was told the sheet of flowers over the casket cost $500 five hundred dollars given by one of her sons; I had a letter from R- oh yes get your dress & mother will get your shoes if nothings prevents. I will send your soap & starch next wk I would

(page 4)

4

sent it this wk but that ever lasting report of Church & I feelin Bum enough. The Sunday School gave you a box of powdr Roger a Handkerchief & bar of soap also Bee a box of powder I will send you in box. Mrs & Mr H send love yes Helen was home she dont grow so much out same as ever,- Mrs H has only one room & kitchen finish but foundation laid for 2 more & hall all folks well & lots of them send love Rebecca Especially she would to get in on the feby ?turn? in Petersburg but her Mother is sick so she will not be able to come

(page 5)

5

love to Alta. you must take good care of you self are your bed mate a nice girl because some girls are not even nice to sleep with. be careful ask God to help you spiritually, morally & mentally because to do real good service in life you must live a clean life, because it is Simply disgusting to hear how men talk about girls Now some say they wouldn't know where to look for a wife the girls live so bad ask the Lord to steel you against temptation think of your mother I am not

(page 6)

ashame of my life. & mother is trusting her daughter to walk in my tracks May I trust you. well my sermon ends. May Butler & Broshe boy was married Xmas the one use to go with he & Carrie Butler & Jack Lane stole off and married. Carrie 15- Jack 17. Mr & Mrs B furious about it all so one of pig Jones ugly daughters and old lazy Walter Mahone ha. ha. guess he will work now my what a long letter

good night daughter

mine lovingly
mother

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

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