Williamsburg April 27th /66
You left this country My LIttle Darling exactly
at the wrong time; the warm weather has
caused the trees and bushes to put forth sweet
blossoms, and the whole landscape presents
a picturesque, and pleasing aspect to one
who loves the rarity of nature unadorned
by science : . Could you only transfer your
sweet self to Dr. Garrett's - this sunny spring
day would be well adapted, to a walk among
the wild fields, and dark shady woods, in
both of which the Old Peninsula is richly
[?]. I went out this morning about
sun-rise and revisited several places we loved -
the rustic seat for instance, and our spring
which murmured sadly, seeming to mourn
the absence of a lovely little visitor, who
once sat near its brink, and who blessed it
by drinking of its limped waters. This spot
is a favourate resort of mine when weary
of the tiresum regulations of society. And
when there
soft dreams are mine Sweet Mary, in
which your lovely image frequently appears.
Your letter of the 24th instant was
received Wednesday the 25th, the perusal of
it I enjoyed intensely. I am very thankful
to hear that your time is spent pleasantly,
and that, an entertaining young man dwells
in your sisters house, but [?] I am
not at all surprised at your longing for
Old Williamsburg, although she lies
bleeding from the devestation of war, and
"mouldering amid the ruins of antiquity"
still amid these reeks and ruins of things
that were, a stranger might spend a
pleasant time, if she can could possibly be
satisfied with the hasty, gracious manners
of old Virginia gentility. Miss Mary I
am surprised that you suppose me the
insignifficant thing that would for a moment
become jealous of the attentions paid you by
another, it rather gives me pride to know
that one I love so dearly, receives her due
attention ; And should you in your travels
meet one you love better than myself, it
would be infinitely preferable, to knowing
him after your marriage.
I am perfectly miserable - dark shadows
crowd like evil spirits around me, and make
me wish for a home in the cold and silent
grave, where the discords of others, and the
troubles of my life, may be blotted out
for-ever. It would be pleasant to be certain,
that one loved being on earth, would feel
sadness for the youth, whose greatest fault
on Earth, was his blind and heedless love
for a lady, who writes him word, that
she hopes he may succeed in a love
affair, with another lady, for whom
he hasent the slightest regard. Miss
Mary a callous serpent has wound himself
around my heart, cold as ice! - sluggish as
death! And the head of this serpent is armed
with a forked tongue, (which probably represents
Cupids dart) bloody & quivering in my heart.
I went to see Sottis[?] the other day, and dont
know when I shall go again ; tho
recollection of happy moments & hours spent
there with you, came crowding with such
confusion & force, that I forgot where I was
and commenced dreaming. When Miss
Sottis[?] finished her toilet & came down, hearing
the little feet upon the steps, and believing
in My dream that my sweet-heart was
approaching: Who will blame me if, I
say, that deep disappointmen followed
lively expectation. Miss Sottis's[?] sweet face
drove my charming dream away, one formed
by a melancholy heart, and a brooding mind
with nothing but yourself to dwell upon.
[?] you are the "morning star of memory"
that paley glimmers in the west, whos
light shall guide me to goodness & Richmond.
Goodby Miss Mary, and may
your God bless you -
Yrs Affectly:
Geo: S. Vest.
Williamsburg May 28th 1866.
Dear Miss Mary
Two letters have been dispatched to you, and
an answer has never been recieved from either.
Hoping that the irregularity of the mails and
the distance between us may account for your
extraordinary silence, and that you may at least
explain what I may expect of you, in regard
to the keeping of your engag[em]ent. I will not
burden you with a lengthy [torn, illegible] istto.
It is unnecessary for [me] to answer the
Commencement of your let[ter] of the 20th
again. I will only state it wa[s] the last, I received
from you.
Present my regards to your father, and unless
you wish our correspondence to cease for ever,
answer this, my last effort to arouse you
from silence.
With sincerity & love, I am as ever
Yr Attached Friend
Geo: S. Vest
To
Miss Mary Garrett
[Blank]
P.S. Bob McCandlish asked me to give his love to you
but i am so much troubled at your ceasing to write
to me, that I had nearly forgotten him.
Geo: S. Vest.
Willie[?] has just come into the room and seeing me
writing supposed it was to you. She desires to be kindly
remembered by you, and hopes soo to receive the promised
letter & photograph. There is nothing of any importance
doing in Williamsburg. Dr Garre[tt's] family are all
well with the exception of Van, wh[o] sprained his ankle
day before yesterday & had a ch[ill?] yesterday. Consequently
he is compaining to day.
G.S.V.
Williamsburg June 14th 1866
Miss Mary,
Your letter was received about five minutes ago, and
as this day is equally as warm, as the one on which you
wrote, my epistle, shall in the same degree, be limited in
its extent. I am very much distressed that you cannot
forgive the numerous mistakes I make in spelling, but allow
me with the deepest deference, to state, that if you do not
consider me sufficiently educated to sustain a repectable
appearance, and to show in all places your equal, to
immediately relieve yourself of the troublesome burden
of an engagement, which I supppose from your recent
letters greatly annoys you. I am confident that I never
could spell words correctly, but if my meaning is expressed
with sufficient clearness, I care very little for how my
words are placed upon paper. I have had no inducement
to visit Richmond since your departure, it would only
remind me of the sweet lady, who is to me always, "the
morning star of memory", and who's beautiful face is
always before me, brilliant as imagination in its most
exagerated form could possibly picture it. I love you
dearly as you know, but if you think you would be
condescending in the slightest degree, to marry me,
then by all means, in the next letter you write me, send
the ring I placed upon your finger, and you shall never
more ; No not as long as creation lasts : And the sun shines
in the heaven, be troubled with a lover, you consider
unworthy of you. One of your photographs I still retain,
but if you think it necessary under exising circumstances,
to discard me, I will without the slightest hesitation,
Although my heat might be broken, and my life by
made a miserable void, send both to you.
Anxiously awaiting your reply, and deep;y
lamenting my misfortunes.
I remain, as I alway will.
Your Devoted Friend,
George S. Vest.
To Miss, Mary. Garrett.
Halifax, County. Va:
Williamsburg June 17th /67
My Dear Miss Mary
After one of the warmest
trips I ever had, my house was at
last safely reached, where I had the
pleasure of welcoming my sister,
(Mrs Joynes.) and her sweet little
children ; One of them was fast asleep
in my room, and looked so
innocently pitiable, that my hard
heart was troubled, and many
tears forced them-selves into
my eyes. The morning after my
arrival, thinking that Miss Sottie
would probably like to hear from
her sweetest Cousin, and knowing
that she would deeply sympathise
with me in my forlorn condi-
tion, I described to her in
lively colours your cruel
discardal ; for you remember
before we parted, the bargain
was made, to attempt this
deception upon the good people
of Williamsburg, who deeply
lament my misfortune, and
are completely fooled. Oblige
me, My little darling, by keeping
the truth from Miss Sottie
at present. Since I have
been away, the buisness (or
business I dont know which)
in my special department
has so greatly increased, that
to day I have scarcely time to
turn around, therefore pity me
little Koots, and forgive the
seeming neglect I could not help,
and also the brevity of this
letter, for I promise to write
a long one next Sunday, full
of all sorts of news.
Missing extremely your
charming companionship and
receiving incessantly the condoling
sympathy of my numerous friends,
(which latter fact relieves somewhat
our seperation) I work hard,
and think of you, and occasionally
laugh : For the time of my
probation is but short.
Give my best love to
your mischievous mother, and
my kindest regards to your
father, and his children, and
believe always, in the undying
love of
George. S. Vest.
To
Miss M Garrett
I would like to kiss you gentle one
A Dream within a dream.
Before stating, (my beautiful sweet.
-heart) this dream, some description of
its cause, ought to be ginven. During
the day of the 14th of July 1867,
the business to be attended to, in
my department, was greater than
usual, and feeling unwell, I
took a drink of brandy, which
I afterwards frequently repeated;
its effect was different from what
I expected ; and a deep gloom,
blacker than the night shrouded
my heart, into which no star
of hope entered. After the
completion of my daily tasks,
I returned to my home as usual,
and went to my room, seeking
relief in solitude, but none came :
for when the night grew late,
and all nature seemed to sleep,
the untutored tones of a bird,
could indistinctly be heard approach.
-ing from the distance, it came
nearer, and at last perched itself
upon a tree, immediately in
front of my window ; and
in tones so sweet and sad,
that nature trembled, poured
upon the bosom of the silent
night, its mellow lamentation ;
My heart was deeply moved,
and I wondered if the great
Ruler of Heaven sent the bird
to increase my torturing pangs.
At last I slept, and dreamed this dream.
I was upon the banks of a
beautiful river, the sun was
fast declining, and the water
rippled, and made music
in the air. I dreamed I slept,
and suddenly clothed in clouds,
the lady of my love stood, and
gazed upon me, with looks so
wild, with eyes so brilliantly
intoxicating ; that I dared not
breath ; but stood, and trembled.
She drew from a richly
ornamental case, a dagger, and
plunged it into her bosom. My
God, my pangs! I could not
speak - I could not move -
my blood congealed, while hers-
flowed red, and ran upon the
ground. The wild Expression
vanished from her eyes, and
they became so "purely dark.",
and "darkly pure", that I
thought the power of seeing,
and understanding had left
me, and that she must be
a dying angel.
I shrieked - And waked -
and - thought.
My Darling
Can you explain whether
this horrid dream comes
as the prelude of many
sorrows? or whether my
mind was - deranged by
the drink I had swallowed?
Speak kindly, and
comfort, Little Koots, for
your lover, though an idle
dreamer, suffers from the
memory of his vision.
Yrs Affectionately
Geo: S. Vest
Williamsburg July 28th/67
Dear Miss Mary
Forgive me for daring to
get sick, when you wished to
hear from me, and excuse thie
bad spirits caused thereby.
Your two sweet letters were
greatly enjoyed, as I could see
therein, from a kind and gentle
nature a true type of the
noble heart. Many bad
thoughts oppress me - and at
times I am weary of life. -
but when such dismal ideas
come, I seek comfort in your
kind words. They cause the
star of hope to continue burning,
although the dark clouds hover
threateningly.
As does music
tranquilize the soul - As does
poetry refine the mind - As does
religion purify bothe, soothingly
comes from your kind expressions,
the blam for discontent.
My Sweet Sister Pattie, upon
whose gentle face, peace, love,
and holiness, lie blended, in
affections closest union ; begs
that you remember her sometimes,
and as a reminder, sends with
her love, a true picture of
happy marriage, and the
dearest wish of my heart is,
that the beautiful spirit of
her guardian angel, may hover
round you, and belong to you.
My dream you seem to
consider an idle effusionof
a weak mind. A Sentimental
affectation, or a moody, and
distorted idea, which had better
never been remembered - but
unfortunately it is remembered
and though a dream, must
portend somehing. Sister Eliza
intends to write to you soon,
she has taken the wonderful
fancy of gazing long, and
earnestly at your beautiful
likeness, and thinks as she
turns it in various lights,
new charms may be discovered,
which were never seen before.
I disagree with her, and
think in the face of the
original, expressions play,
which art and science, can
never fully justify.
There is a misery in
physical pain, and there is
misery in mental pain, and
there is pain in life - but
the deepest of all miseries,
is the heart bowed down
with grief. But why
should I speak of pain who -
know it not? I have some
secret sorrows child, which in
time will be revealed. Pain
is natural, and every man
must bear his burden.
Richmond. Augst. 20th. 1869.
Dear. Mary,
You will doubtless be surprised to
hear from me in Richmond, but such was
my luck to be taken so sick upon the cars
that when I arrived here, it was with great
thankfulness that I took myself to bed.
To day I have come out and feel
much better, I may say quite well. In the
morning I shall take the train for Louisa
and directly I get there will try and write
you a better letter than this.
I miss you dreadfully my darling - much
more than words can express.
Give my love to your Pa & Ma
and kiss the little pride of my heart
for me.
Yr Devoted Husband.
Geo. S Vest.
To
Mrs. M C Vest.
Louisa County Sunday
September 5th. 1869.
My dear Little Woman
Your letter of the 2ne. instant
was received yesterday and I sit down
as usual to write my second letter of
the week. I have just returned from
a batpising where about ten poor
people were gently ducked.
My kin people up here are all
baptist and dont believe in the
sprinkling process followed by
Episcopalions. Mrs. Rice's name is
Lon and I believe I havve informed
you of the names of all the rest.
I want to see you mighty badly
my wife - and the days have commenced
to be very long to me. I suppose
it is better for me to stay here
longer - but it will give me great pleasure to bid my
kind kindred farewell. I think of you very often, and
of our dear little boy too. Take care of him you sweet
idol of my heart, and write just as often as you choose
to one who murmurs at your absence, and yearns for
your presence. With much love to your Pa and Ma
and the children I remain as ever
Your Lover
Geo S. Vest.
To
Mrs
Geo S. Vest.
Williamsburg Oct 6th 1871
My Dear Wife
Congratulate me, that after
having visited the great City of New-
-York, and actually walked by
myself upon its streets that no
harm has come near me, and
that I am in Williamsburg where
I wish you were. Before you start
for home write to me and get a
check for some more money, as you
will doubless need it to get things in
Richmond. You know you neglected
to tell Willie what you wanted from
Newyork & consequently must
wiat on yourself in Richmond.
But if you should determine to
come home to see your husband sooner
than I could hear from you & answer
your letter get your father to
lend you as much as you want
and I will return him a check
for it as soon as you get home
Be sure to get money if you
want it wife & remember that
it will take at least $25 to bring you home.
Be good enough to say to
your father that I have authorised
Mr Bouldin of Danvill, a land
agent, to sell your farm on
Banister river, and further till
him, that I have met with a
gentleman from Danvill who
knows the country in the neighbor-
hood of your place and thinks
we can get ten dollars pr acre
I have referred Mr Bouldin
to your father for information
about your farm & hope soon
My Koots to sell out your
property.
I want you at home very much ; but dont come
until you feel like it. Probably it would be better
for your health & the childrens to stay a little longer
but make the time as short as possible little madam
I need you very much. Give my regards to your
father and his family and
write soon to
Your affect Husband
Geo S. Vest.
Williamsburg Feb. 15th. 1887
Dr. Mary, I have in the last few days
had a conversation with a gentleman
who has three members of his family
in RRoad Service & of course ought to
know much about the matter.
He says that ther are many departments
in the service independent of each other
& wholy distinct. For instance he says
that the place of fireman & engineer,
such as you say your brother holds, leads
to nothing in the way of knowledge
or advancement. The position being
one of the most common & dangerous.
My friend says there are many
departments in RR service that give
employment to competent persons.
They require fair education and
speical training.
I have no knowledge myself as
to RR. affairs. But I have
Tell Geo: my letter to you is intended in part
a very poor idea of its being
a fit palce for any one who can
get his bread in any other way.
You ask what I thing of your son Geo's
RR plans I have told in plain terms.
In my opinion the best thing for
Geo. to do is to qualify himself for
being a farmer. I know of no
calling more respectable or more sure
of success or more happy. Geo - if I
am not mistaken has a first rate
teacher in Mr. Watkins. Be in no
hurry about him making a living - he
is very young - the longer you keep him
near yourself & Mr. Watkins so
much the better for him.
Farming may not always be profit=
=able. What vocation is!
[?] life in the country
or in Villages are places of idleness
with many bad consequences
Look at other plans of life. The
for him:
lawyer & the Dr. are they as desirable
as the farmers life! How many get
along comfortably!
I would recommend both of your
boys train themselves for farmers.
They will be freer from temptation -
and better men than many who
try other vocations.
You should not forget that years will have
to pass before your boys will be old enough
to take charge of mens affiars - and
very few are qualified under 25 -
if then.
It has been my intention & my will
is to that effect - to give Geo & Waller
the farm on James River - which prop=
=erly managed would be a comfortable
thing for two young men. They would
need besides money enough to equip
the place with stock &c &c. This would
require $6000 to $8000. I hope when
I shall have passed away to have
You speak of doing yr best for Geo - which is a
matter of course - But in the future what is
it that you propose or could do!
done this much for them. If I could
sell the farm I should do so without
delay. It wants rest & improvement.
I am thus frank with you in the
hope that your boys may take the
hint & become good farmers -
under the care and protection
of your good husband.
Geo. writes something about business
college at Staunton. Very poor
things in general - really
of no account. Can learn a great deal
more at home. Home is a great
blessing & the best place for boys
under 21 is under their mother's
eye. My love to the boys
& kind regards to Mr Watkins
Love for yourself & your
younger tribe.
Truly yrs
W.W. Vest.
Wmsburg May 5. 1887
Dr Geo.
Your letter of 21 Apl. duly
recd. I am a poor letter writer & do
very little except on business.
We shall go from home in June and
shall be from place to place until fall.
Defer your visit until the summer is over.
For some months past I have been
thinking of what I could do for you
and Waller that would really
be the best thing for you. I think
I have made up my mind to try
and educate you - to send you both
this fall to the Virginia Military
Institute - two or three sessions
there will give you an opportunity
of being thoroughly educated -
which is a blessing beyond price.
I hope your mother will approve
of my plans. I have a poor
idea of College's generally, but this
Military College is different from
any in the state & has peculiar
advantages. It's located at Lexington
a healthy & lovely country.
I send enclosed an article cut
from a Richmond newspaper
for your mother to read.
I shall write to the Superintendent
of the Institute for information.
I think the College course begins
1 Sep.
My love to yr mother
& Waller. Kind regards to Mr.
Watkins.
Yr loving [illegible] gr. father.
W. W. Vest
Williamsburg 25 May 1887.
Dear Mary
Yours of the 9th & Geo's
were duly recd. I am glad that you
and the boys are pleased with my idea
of sending them to the Military Institute.
I wrote to Gen. Smith on the 18th stating
what I proposed to do & on the 21st. I recd.
a letter from him on the subject, enclosing
appointments as pag Cadets for
both Geo & Waller. He did this thinking
it would be well to have them report
1 July or as soon as possible, on account
of the better climate of Lexington. They
will be instructed during July & August
It would suit my financial matters
best to have them report at Lexington
by 15 July.
I send enclosed one of the papers
sent by Gen. Smith, showing Geo's
appointment as a Cadet, &c &c.
You will see that Geo, must immediately
send a note to Gen. Francis H. Smith Lexington
accepting the appointment.
Waller whose appointment I have in the
same terms of those of Geo, must also
send a note to Gen Smith accepting
the appointment. I annex such a note as
each must send.
You will see from the circular attached
to Geo's appointment a list of articles which
each cadet is required to have before he is
admitted.
I propose to get these at the Institute.
Any thing they may have on hand
will not be useless but I think it better to save
you any trouble in the matter & will order
at the proper time that they be furnished
at Lexington
Now as to the manner of getting from your
residence to Lexington I presume the
route would be first to Danville,
thence to Lynchburg & thence by
Richmond & Alleghany road to Lexington
Mr. Clark of Danville a friend of your
fathers, whom I saw at the springs last
summer is an old traveller and can tell
you all about it. Write him a note say
by 1 July & get the information, as to time, route,
& expense & let me know what he says.
I hope the boys will think that this opp=
=ortunity of being usefully educated &
properly taken care of a matter of the
greatest importance & will make the best
use of it. I propose to keep them at College
until they have graduated.
If they stand in need of any particular
thing before leaving home let me know.
When they are at Lexington in charge
of Gen Smith all reasonable wants will
be supplied
My love to the boys. & yrself
Kind regards to Mr. Watkins
Affly yrs.
W.W. Vest.