Letter from Mary M. Liggat Tunstall to her husband, Whitmell P. Tunstall, that includes description of recently acquired slaves page 1

Danville Jan 25, [18]50 Friday My dear husband, Your valuable present arrived at half after ten o�۪clock Monday night, without injury altho the stage broke down twice & twas pouring down rain when they got here. The first day the child was very fitful[?] but i gave her a dose of oil which soon yielded her & now she is quite quick. I am glad she is the right color. Betsy is a genteel looking servant & so far I like her as a well or better than any I know. If she is only [unclear] & well satisfied here I think she will do first rate. I think it is strange they sold her. She lived with Bettie Mead from her marriage. She is making Mr H some draws & sews quite well. I have not tried her yet with any very fine, but with pains I know she could sew well. I would rather pay for washing than sewing. She will have to help Chloe sometimes iron etc. The child makes a great difference. She appears to be well disposed & brisk, thats what I like you know. She knows well enough, if she will continue willing. I am pleased to learn that there was so much harmony among the [paper torn] railroaders. I have been interrupted so much by a company that [paper torn] is too late to write any more. We are all well. Write to us often & take good care of yourself. All send their love. The weather has been so rainy that I have not entered M. E. to school. It is impossible for me to reach her, she will not learn at home. I haven�۪t seen any of Col Wilson�۪s family since the dinner. All there are well, the roads are so bad & the river has been so high that they have not been to town. Cyrus[?] staid last night for the first time. Nothing new I believe. Give my love to all & write very often. Your sincere wife M.M.T. Return my compliments to Mrs. Gifford Mr. Whitmell P. Tunstall Richmond Virginia