Graysville, Ga. Jan the 23rd 1861
Feb the 7th
Dear Cousin Sallie
Doubtless you will be surprised on receiving a letter from your Cousin Sallie Vincent who has been separated from you so long and have not had any communication with each other, but nevertheless I have been thinking ere this long time I would write but have never did so untill now. One reason that I have not written, I thought you was married untill a few weeks ago. A gentleman who was acquainted with you brothers staid all night at our house a few weeks ago informed me that you was not married. I forget the gentleman's name. He was a tin peddler.
Well, Cousin Sallie, I must tell you the news. I suppose you have heard of the bad health of my Father. He has been almost helpless for about four years. He has Paralasys. His health has improved some. The rest of the family are all well. We have moved from our old home. We now live about two miles from Graysville, Ga. We have a nice home. The land we have purchased is very rich. We are all very much pleased.
Cousin Sally, their has been many changes since we have seen each other. I suppose you have heard that brother Tom is married. He married a Miss Patton, Charles Patton's niece from Kingsport, Tenn. He has married very well. They have been married about a year. None of the rest of us are married. I intend to live as an old maid.
Cousin Sallie, I must tell you of the nice visit I took a short time ago. I went to see our Moore relations in Huntsville, Ala. I have Vincent relations also living there. The way I came to go, Cousin William came up here to buy negroes. Nothing would do but I must go home with him. I went and staid almost seven months. I was very much pleased with my relations on both sides. Our relatives are very wealthy. I staid some time at Cousin William Moore. I do tell you, Cousin Sallie, he lives in great splendor. I supposed you have heard of the death of his wife. I suppose he has been a widower over two years. He took his wife to Cuba for her health. She just lived two weeks after their return home. She died with consumption. She left five children. One of them got drowned a short time ago in a cistern. It was the youngest. They are the most interesting children I ever saw. They are very smart. He has both a governess and a house keeper. Cousin Tyson, he is an old bachelor. Cousin, you ought to have seen me trying to get on the good side of him. He gave me some very fine presents, a fine sillk dress worth seventy-five dollars and some other nice presents. Cousin Tyson is a great old miser. He as so kind to me. Cousin William Moor has the most splendid furnished house I ever was in. He sent to Cuba for his furniture. My Vincent relations are very wealthy. They gave me a great many nice presents. It did not cost me a sent to go their nor come home. I hope I will get to visit them again before very long. I formed so many pleasant acquaintances. One especially, one that I hope will prove pleasant sure enough. Cousin Sallie, I know you would fall in love with him. His beauty is indescribible. My descriptive posers are to deficient to describe him. I have his Ambrotype. Several ladies have tried to take it away from me, but Ah, indeed it is nothing to be compaired to the original. What is beauty. I care nothing for it, but he has the good Qualities. Cousin Sallie, I will give him to you. I think he would just suit you. He is a merchant. I want a farmer. You must select me a nice sweet heart down their. I will come down to see him in the Spring. I must tell you what kind of gentleman will suit me. A gentleman that is persevering, energetic, industrious, of a good family. Moral. Does not drink a drop of Liquor. Now Cousin, be certain to select me that kind of beau. Oh, I had liked to have forgotten, he must have a few of the dimes. This gentleman that I have gave you, he possesses all the good Qualities. I suppose you have heard about Uncle Mat Moore living in Baltimore. He has lately moved their. He has no child living with him but my Cousin Let is also living their. She has two children. I suppose you have heard of the death of poor Cousin Jennie. She died in Mississippi. She was so unwilling to go their. She desired so much to get back to die. She died such a triumphant death, desired that her father should write to all her friends and relatives. Poor Cousin Jennie, she was my favorite amonst that family.
I am now on a visat Sister Susan's. I came up about two weeks ago to help her prepair Mollie to start off to school. She is going to Adarsville to Mr. Stout's. He is very anctious for her to come. She expected to start tomorrow, but her Mother wants her to stay and see if times to not get better. She is just ready to start. I hope her mother will let her go soon. Cousin Sallie, I presume you do not live but a short distance from their. You must call on her. She would be so glad to see you. Mother says tell Cousin Ann that her Mother is still a live and is better than she has been in years. Sends her best love to your Mother and to all the relations. Give my best love to your Mother and to Cousin Henry. He used to be such a sweet little boy. Also give my love to Cousin Jim. Mother wants to see your Mother so much. Sister Let and I have been talking about visiting you for some time. I think perhaps we will come in the Spring. I am so anctious to come.
Cousin Sallie, when you write me direct your letter to Graysvill, Ga. Be shure to write to me just as soon as you receive this letter. I am so anctious to hear frome you all. Write me all the news. Cousin Sallie, I have not forgotten you. I love you dearly. I used to love little Henry so much.
Do not forget to write. Have that sweatheart ready for me by the time I visit you. Speak all the good words for me. I began this letter before I left home.
I must close, good by my dear Cousin Sallie. All send their love. Do not fail to write.
I have written this letter in a great hurry. Excuse all bad writing. So good night.
Your cousin Sallie Vincent