Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 12, 1921

Boarding | Education--Esmont school | Gifts and money | Health, illness and death | Home/Farm life | Place--Esmont, VA | Seasons and the weather | Work and employment

Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, to tell her about events in Esmont, Virginia and her struggle to pay bills.

January 12, 1921

My Dear Daughter-

Your letter came yesterday (Tues) found me much better and B all ok I was indeed glad to know you are all right it was the change I guess but now let that run two long consult some Dr. or Nurse well we are all upstairs Now I've been washing it is cold as sissors ground covered with hard crusty snow it commence to snow Sunday while at church but we was out again Sunday night. good service

(page 2)

2

both day and night Monday snow was shoe deep & snowing so B had to stay home & hit the woods I did not put my foot on the ground all day Monday it was so stormy B told me if I dare go out he would almost throw at me so I just set tight Mother is so glad to hear your resolution by the help of the Lord to live a clean life remember near stoop to low things. oh! yes I sent you a little pkg this A.M. hope you will get it all ok I sent your powder some starch 6 cakes of soap or rather 7 with the palm

(page 3)

3

olive (Miss Dickey sent the cakes of white float soap) some writing paper & stamps 1 orange all I could get in and a box of candy I made. If you feel the affect of the fall see the Dr. I had a letter from Roger same day I got yours saying he was writing you. I have to pay some every month on his board bill seem as he cannot make enough mo. Mrs Robinson dosen't let me have eny money this winter I did not ask her so it is only when I wash for her. and you know how

(page 4)

4

often that is it is only what I wash & the 2 board mony that I can depend on of course the Teacher dont get there money for Jan until middil of feb. but God provide some way of couse I owe stove bills you see I had to send R. the $10,00 her board & $5.97 on Nov board and $1.04 on Dec & I sent him $4.00 Xmas because I did not want him to feel embarrassed. Mrs S gave me 6 soup bowls wrote me a card Nora send love she have a cold.

Friday ?Brook? & ?his?

(page 5)

5

is home living in his house Mr & Mrs Harris send love Uncle Isaac gave me 10¢ to get you a cake of soap so I got it oh so many folk ask after you & wish you success love to Alta Aunt Joe wanted us to come up wed in Xmas but I didn't have the dough and Benny wasnt well. The 2 new scholars is Virginia Mays & Gretchen Lee. The new room of School is nearly finished yes Bee looked well but dont you know she

(page 6)

did Care for all ways on the go her feet was so sore at fist she say you havn't written her but one letter. say did you ans Theris Winfreys letter? Well I made my report We have raised & paid out 1.532 17¢ but we want to cut it. oh I am so sleepy I know you will Laugh at this writing

Hastily but 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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