Sherwood July 8th 1853
Dear E
I rode over to see Mrs. Stark yesterday, & she says she
can probably let you have 20 lbs of butter if you wish as much
at a shilling. I could send half up when Fanny goes, and bring
the rest up prob.y when I go Tuesday week—if you should want as
much please write me on the subject. Mrs. [OMITTED]told me she expecte [OMITTED]
to take a nice hive of honey & I also engaged 12 lbs of that for
you. I got some very good from Martin last week. I weighed your
carpet balls & took them to Miss Sally-yours weighed 35½ lbs-and
what I added 4½ just making 40 lbs-precisely the quantity for the
warp. You forgot the canvas. Mrs. Stark has an old maiden aunt
from Essex & a little niece come up to pass the summer with her.
I am very glad of it, as it would have been very bad for her to
have had no female companion in her approaching confinement. We
mean to send Betsy to stay ten days or a fortnight with her at
the time. I hope it may not come quite as soon as she expects,
the middle of this month. She has been suffering so much during
the greater part of the time I hope at the last she will do well.
We shall be quite gay in this neighbourhood next week. Brother
Alexander's daughters are coming Tuesday to spend some days with
me, Mrs. R. Carter expects the Miss Randolphs, & Miss Cary from
Baltimore, & Nannie Johns has come to pass some time with Mrs.
Stevenson. Mr. R. called at Mr. Stevenson's yesterday and said Mr.
S. seemed to be highly pleased with the appointment of Mr. Smith
& predicts great things of him. D. Lewis will be a candidate for
the Proctor's place and Mr. S. seemed very favorably disposed towards
him. Mr. Minor is likely to be made chairman. I shall be
really sorry if Lucy Downing cannot remain to the wedding. I am
glad to say Mr. R. is well again. He went in to Charlottesville
Tuesday evening to sign the agreement with Mr. Flannagan etc.
stopped at Mr. Douglases Wednesday, & was kept all night by the
hard rain. E. wrote me that Annie & herself were very much disappointed
that they could not go in on the 29th, Mr. D. had hired
hands, and was so busy in his harvest, he could not leave. I was
quite surprised to hear Maria & Mr. B. had gone to Culpeper. I
thought they had given out the trip. I hope cousin Betsy T. was
able this time to give M. some ice cream.
Your affectionate sister & love to all.
M. R. Rives.
