Mrs. HarrisonUniversity of Virginia Burwell
Sherwood Sep 13th 1853
My dear Eliza
As Mama Gorgot her work bag yesterday "having so many
things to think of, Papa's, Georges gun etc," Burwell will go up
for it today but I am glad to say not for that alone as I have
to send my wood to the Factory which at any rate gave him the
trip as far as Meriwethers Mill. It is such a good opportunity
that I send you some quinces though they are not now ripe enough
to preserve but will ripen in the cellar. I did not think of you
sending me damsons as you now have three families to supply. I
hear from Mama with surprise and regret that the cow we sent to
Maria does not, (according to her understanding) give but one gal.
of milk in the whole day instead of 2½ or perhaps more as she certainly
did when she went from here. I saw what she gave in the
evening myself which was a gal & a half and in the morning though
I did not see it measured it looked like four or five quarts. It
is quite probable they leave too much for the calf-otherwise she
could not have declined so very rapidly. Give my love to Mary &
Mr. S. and tell them we are very much disappointed that they cannot
come out this month. It seems hard & strange that I should
give everybody a bridal dinner, but my own niece. Mr. Smith is feeling
more anxiety than he need do I am sure about the introductory.
I have no misgivings about it. I hope Maria will get her carpet
done before she is confined. I hope Mrs. Broadus has come also as
with your family you can not be as much with her as you would like
I trust & hope she will do well. Mama requests that you will wrap
up her Morocco bag in paper so that it will not get rubbed. I must
conclude. I am glad to hear from M. Rives that Isabelles health
has improved considerably, she will be home now in a few days.
Love from all to all.
Your affectionate sister,
M. R. Rives.
