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Montville King Wm Co Va.
Noon May 17th 1876. Ther. 60º
Wind N.E. Cloudy
My Dear Daughters,
I left Richmond Yesterday at 71/2 A.M. in the Tappahannock Stage, for Aylett's. It was a cloudy cool day. I rode on the Outside of the stage, and the wind blew strong from the North East. We came by the new Turnpike, which runs by the old burying Ground and poor house, right by Mrs. Gooch's, crosses at the Meadow bridges, and stops at Shady Grove Church. It is an excellent road all the way. You can imagine my feelings, as I travelled this old familiar road, and thought who was with me the last time I travelled it, both of you, your sainted Mother and Patrick. There at this spring we drank, here we took our snack, and this place you two got out and walked and gathered flowers. Time seemed to be annihilated; the whole was present before me. Two of the fellow passengers inside of the stage were Miss Bettie Gwathmey, and Mrs. Joe Gwathmey (Son of Dr. Gwathmey) who was a Miss Ryland. She is a lovely Woman, and has a sweet prattling little
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son about 2 1/2 years old. I saw but few persons on the road. I met Dr. Wm P. [R_xton?] this side of Old Church riding rapidly; I said how are you Doctor? I saw from his manner of returning the salutation, that he did not recognize me. On reaching New-Castle ferry, who should I see but Wellington the ferryman. "How are you Duke?"-I exclaimed-"Lord bless you master, I done hear that voice before, but I can't call to mind who you is." I got down off of my seat, and asked him about his gander, and made many inquiries about different people, which he answered with a vacant stare. As we landed on this side, I was about getting on my seat, he said-"but aint you gwine [sic] tell me who you is, fore you go- I wont be able to sleep a wink this blessed night for thinking on it." "Did you never hear of one Major Fontaine?" "Low mass Spot is dis you sure enough." and he came very near jerking me off the box. As we were driving off he broke out in his peculiar laugh, and shouted out "I so glad to see him, but I never would knowed [sic] him in the world." When I got to Aylett's I met Tom [Fauntbuy?]
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Wm T. Samuel and about a dozen men all of whom except Dr. Garlick [T__ll?] I knew and all of them knew me, when I took off my hat. There was a great expression of joy, by all, and I had a dozen invitations to dine with them on any day I might fix. I spent an hour there. And then walked through to Montville. I became very sad as the houses appeared in view. Your mother rose up to my mind as she appeared in 1832. All the happiness and sorrow I had experienced there came crowding upon me. I sat down by the way side, and how long I can't tell, and sweet and bitter reminiscences overwhelmed me by turns. I was aroused by Rosalie's little girl [nurse?] coming tripping along with the letter bag for the mail; I had brought it up, and offered it to her, but she said she had to bring up some things from the store, and I had better take the mail with me. Alice met me with the greatest affection. In a little while Rosalie came running over, the same Old Rosalie; (except a little older) and threw her arms around me, and smothered me with kisses. We were crying and laughing alternately.
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Then all, the children were brought up who were at home. Alice has six 2 sons and 4 daughters. The two oldest being at school in Richmond County. Rosalie has four two sons, & two daughters. George the oldest is at Hampden Sydney College - Pattie has lately married Mr Henry H. Ware, her third husband and she his fourth wife. Why this is Texas fashion. She knew him in Selma. She is very happy with him, he is wealthy, and has no children, except two married daughters living in Kentucky. Patty is 40, and Mr Ware near 50. Rosalie says Patty was never happily married before. Cousin Alice would have me eat a nice little dinner which she prepared for me. Though I was not hungry having eaten heartily of a nice snack, on the Way. Wm had left for King and Queen Court directly after dinner, and will not be back till Friday. In the evening late, Philip Aylett and Henry Sampson two manly little fellows walked out with me to the place where your mother once walked to meet me, when I was in Richmond, and stayed till dusk, and wrote in the sand "Come home Dear Spot." It was too dark
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for me to read it when I got there, but little Anne Moore asked if I had seen what Aunt Sarah had written to me in the sand. I went back before breakfast next morning and read it. Never yet have I passed that place, without thinking of it, and of her tracks and little Anne's. I went to see Page Sampson who is laid up with a large boil on her leg. She is a sweet little thing, and has as many pets as her mother used to have when she was a child. Rosalie showed me a very large coop with Six divisions. She has 39 chickens nearly grown, and the children allow her only one division. Page has three in which she keeps doves, pigeons and Rabbits. The other two children have one each in which they keep their pets. We sat up late last night, talking over old times and the news. I shall have to tell you of this when I come, as it would take a quill or more of paper to retail [sic] it. Rosalie lives over at the Old house and keeps house. I sleep up Stairs over Alice's chamber. Where I am so comfortable, and am writing.
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My two nieces are just as kind to me as as my own Sweet daughters. They make so many inquiries about you all. Alice was to have taken me over to Mr. Fauntlerory's Today, but I told her the wind was so raw, I would prefer not going. The dinner bell has rung so I I will put off a little
When I had nearly finished dinner Rosalie's pretty little maid who is the daughter of Sallie that belonged to John Toomlus came over to get my letter to carry to the mail. So I must close as I intended writing to you all a long letter. Alice & Rosalie send you much love & both say they wish you had come down with me. They want me to stay a month. But I must be in Reidsville the 31st May. I shall leave here the next Wednesday. If you write, direct your letter to Mrs. Emily R. Rutherford's care No 101. East Franklin Street Richmond. Farewell love to all your affectionate father
William S. Fontaine
I haven't time to read over, I reckon you can read it.Language
English