[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. In this letter, Mrs. Mateer is visiting her daughter, Lillie, who is living with her husband, Rev. Walker, at Monroe, Georgia. A well-written letter, with interesting content, including mentioning that Lillie has a "colored" woman, who helps take care of Lillie's "troublesome" children.]Monroe Jan 26/89
My Dear Daughter
I have a letter from Mrs Ralston saying for Mr Ralston (who promised me to write to you) saying that he had seen Mr Fitzel who said that there would be no trouble about moving Mr Hendersons body and that he would do any thing he could for you in the matter so now is your time whilst the winter is here.
I am getting on here quite as well as I expected. I am feeling right well all are well here Mr. Walker is about to teach a boys school they cannot get a teacher and have persuaded him to take it. boys and girls schools are separate a Lady teaches the girls. I expect he will want Lillie to teach for him about the one third of the time and then I will be so lonesome that I cannot stay had I known this I would not have come at this time when she is teaching she cannot attend to her home duties at all at present she is making up a dress, which Robbie sent her a dark green.
The children are pretty troublesome but they have a good colored woman who takes care of them largely the same one who was here when I was here before. They have a house on the corner of their lot in which she has her home at nigh[t.] We are having a wet dreary spell of weather. This morning I baked a nice baking of bread. I have a nice room with a wood stove in it. Their house is quite comfortable[.]
Now I must tell you that Dr. Brandt is dead, he was found in his bed in an unconscious state and lingered a few days in a state of delirium. he was so bright and cheerful when I was to see him he had been out riding just before he took his last illness he had been making large plans for the future[.] He told Mr. Reigart [Mary Mateer's pastor at Mechanicsburg, Pa.] he was trusting in Jesus at the last. poor man he is gone to his long home, he has suffered so much with his feet, and we will hope that the Lord has been merciful to him.
Mrs. Bailey Mateer too is gone she had another stroke of paralysis and lived only a short time. Mrs. Young & Ellen M. and I all went to see her. She could sit up, but one side was helpless. Sallie waited on heaven faithfully to the last, she was a good woman.
And now I must tell you about Mr. Brandon he has lost his mind almost entirely and is a great charge to his wife and two daughters and more that he has lost his home and is left penniless the farm has been sold by the sheriff this last fall I believe. his son William is in Petersburg and he with his family are living in Amos Meyers' house below Petersburg on the hill, she had [...] that some time since and they had moved there. I met a sister of Mrs Brandons in Hanover, who told me all about their troubles[.] Templeton Brandons have moved to Detroit and their daughter is about to be married.
Monday morning. We are having snow this morning and right cold for this country. Mr. Walker is gone to his school and Lillie is at her dress. I was much surprised to hear of the Dr's intention of going abroad [a reference to Jennie's husband, Dr. Samuel J. Kirkwood, Professor of Mathematics & Astronomy at University of Wooster, who spent a few months travelling around Europe by himself later that year] but I do not think he will go when the time comes.
Thanks for Marys letter she certainly had a fine time she is having her golden days up there with the yankees[.] Sorry to hear that you are feeling so lonely perhaps your health will be better if you do not have much company, as that worries you presume you are having winter weather at this time. Now I hope you will write soon Love to all
Affectionately
Mother