Name/Title
Three Letters: To HAR from Helie [Helen] To HAR from Elvia [aunt] To HAR from ABREntry/Object ID
2009.016.1kScope and Content
One envelope and three letters kept together because of the original numbering system. May be separated at a later date.
(1) The envelope, numbered 2/1, is inscribed:
In case of my sudden death to be destroyed unopened.
A Burnet Rhett
April 28th 1861
NOTE: According to Robert Stockton, the letters numbered 2/2, 2/3, and 2/4 are "hardly scandalous"; Stockton wonders if the original contents of the envelope may have been lost.
(2) Letter 2/2 is written to HAR from her cousin Helie [Helen], March 13. Sender writes from Columbia. NOTE: The letter is very difficult to read; needs to be reviewed again and corrected.
Transcription:
Columbia
March 13
Ma chere cousine - It is very evident from your letter that you have not got mine, so I will try if a friend will prove more careful than the mail. Mr. Farmer's recovered - of Mamma has missed a great deal and he seems to think that Rock the only thing to set her quite right again. I do not think I will lend Mamma to you again cousine, for you [?] -let her come back to me. We miss her of course, but if I were certain that she was well all the time I would not long for her quite as much-Columbia is the same stupid hokey place it must always be. [?] "passing through I just heard you were here". Last night we had a small [?] in the shape of a very pleasant serenade-The music was really very good- Mr King came to see me last evening and gave me such an agreement of [?]. He says "she is perfectly [shimmering ?]". I am glad to hear that you and Auntie are looking so well- & I wish I could see you- However May is not so far off and then how we will enjoy being together-Anna talks of doing down soon, and I do think having Elise & Claude will royal.
Dear cousin Etta there have been three interruptions already and it is hard to write connectedly when that is the case. Did I tell you of our pretty [?]? Richard's present - I want you to send me one of the photographs of [?] Aiken that Dr Frampton told me of- [?] has just come in to pay a visit, Anna has sent to ask me to come and [?] with her- Richard has just come home from [?] with one of his headaches [?] will come soon for this I have not time to write it over-Tell Burnet I say his cousin John Rhett came here pretty often!!! But oh yes I get so tired of talking to one person all the time. The other night at the musical club actually summoned up courage to play an accompaniment for [?] Heyward. I think I must practice hard so that one of these days you could let me play for you- I am so busy sewing that I have little time for anything else. Making over, making up, trying to prepare to be creditable this spring. But it is hard work and I have not much help- Write me soon dear Yet- Give my love to Auntie and Burnet-Tell me all the news of the old place.
Ever your affectionate
Helie
(3) Letter 2/3 is written to ABR from an aunt, Elvia, Oct. 4, [18]59. Sender writes from Beaufort.
Transcription:
Beaufort Oct 4th [18]59
I am now at leisure Dear Burnet and therefore think I will do what I have been meditating for some time past viz to express to you a few thoughts. Don't be alarmed! There is no quarrel ahead! I am simply trying to dispel the mist that has arisen for the past year between us- Burnet! We understand each other- if others do not. Your relation to others is nothing to me (be they what they may) but why this alienation & awkwardness should exist between us has amazed me and perhaps provoked me. Why is it? Who is to blame? Not me- assuredly! I have never done you an injury in my life! Last winter I did every thing to welcome you home. How did you meet it? By restraint not to say temper! Where was the necessity? Nay wisdom. You think yourself wise don't you? Now find out for yourself one good reason - if you have one - continue it most certainly! Why did you virtually attempt to separate N from Elise. Did Nathalie injure her in any [way]? [D]epend upon it there is no cause for jealousy on either side! Gentlemen that admire one will never fancy the other - therefore they can never clash. If they did - can jealousy benefit either - that you are willing to rouse it in one you love Beware! It is the curse of Hell! Jealousy is a viper hidden in the bosom! Therefore let these girls continue to love each other. Why wake them up to the hard realities of life so soon?
And now to ourselves - the drifting of life may soon separate us - so let me say that I would wish to love you as I once did - rather than feel that any circumstances past or for the future - can result in coldness and distrust. I have been now as ever perfectly frank and friendly to you. Meet me in the same way and let "bygones be bygones." You need not ever refer to this but simply consider it with I hope good feeling and do not suppose that I shall ever change to you. Let my affection and goodwill go with you wherever your lot may be cast. It gives me pain to think otherwise. I say again let us understand each other and brush away all unpleasantness between us.
God bless you!
Your affectionate aunt
Elvia
(4) Letter 2/4 is a portion of a love letter from ABR to HAR, Mar. 2, [18]60. NOTE: Page(s) that preceded the point where the letter on file begins is/are missing. Letter begins mid-sentence.
Transcription:
[...] sweet sympathy the(?) weariness and dejection which absence and separation impose upon me. Let me live by sharing the secrets of your heart and the knowledge of all your [?] and tryals [sic] and troubles. Let me feel, that tho' shut out from your presence, we are indeed one. Let me but know this and I can bear anything and be a happy man(?) as I can be - short of that bliss, upon which my heart dotes. The sweet-dream of my days and nights.
I can only look upon your face - when I would gaze upon your heart - and share all its history. My sweetest treasure - my heart's only home - bar me not out from the heaven of your confidence. Bear with me Etta, and do not be offended with me. You could not if you could feel as I do - as I must do in my perplexed and desponding life - a life so troubled, and full of doubt - and denial.
Yours in life and death
Burnet Rhett
March 2nd [18]60Collection
Aiken-Rhett HouseAcquisition
Accession
2009.016.Source or Donor
Maybank, ThomasAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Thomas MaybankLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsSearch Terms
Correspondence, Personal Papers, Rhett, Andrew Burnet, 1831-1879--Correspondence, Rhett, Henrietta Aiken--Correspondence, Aiken-Rhett family, Aiken-Rhett family--CorrespondenceArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
1861Archive Size/Extent
3 pages and 1 envelopeArchive Notes
Level of Description: ItemLocation
Location
Room
Margaretta P. Childs ArchivesBuilding
Missroon HouseCategory
PermanentDate
February 7, 2023Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Rhett, Andrew BurnetPerson or Organization
Rhett, Henrietta AikenGeneral Notes
Note
Notes: Transcription by Christine Mathieson, graduate student in the Clemson Historic Preservation program, Nov. 2009; revised by Karen Emmons, HCF Archivist.
High resolution TIF of Letter 2/4 on DVD, Hi-Res021.Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
August 3, 2009Updated By
sferguson@historiccharleston.orgUpdate Date
May 24, 2023