Hart, Catherine to Father, December 25, 1848- Jacksonville, Fla. (1 sheet, 3 leaves)

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[Written at top in different handwriting]
With Aunt Mary after Uncle Obadiah Conger's death


Jacksonville, December 25 1848

My dear Father

You will perceive by the date of this I am at Jacksonville. I arrived here a few days since,
after a short and pleasant passage found Aunty pretty well for her and seemed delighted
to see me. I left Ossian at Key West perfectly well, expect to spend the balance [sic] of
the winter here, and go on in the spring in company with Aunt if my heart does not fail
me. I almost feel home sick already but I feel it my duty to stay with Aunty now that she
is alone and try and lighten her troubles, but I can assure you it is quite a task for me, the
house seems [sic] to wear a gloomy face, ev[e]ry thing reminds me of the severity of our
loss. She contemplates renting the house next summer, and I think I will prevail on her to
spend next winter with me in Key West. I have been looking for a letter from Anna in
answer to her last one I wrote her some four months since but it has not arrived yet. I am
very anxious to hear from home and I hope you at least will not neglect to write me a few
lines immediately and now I feel so lonesome. I wish you would send me a paper as
often as you [can] and if you can spare the money I wish you would subscribe for the
Home Journal, a literary [sic] paper published in New York for me and have it sent to
this place. I hope Ma and all the family are well give my love to them and believe me
ever to be-

Your affectionate daughter
C.S. Hart

P.S. When I see you next summer I will repay you what ever may be the cost of that
paper for one year. I am very anxious to have it now while I am here to give me the news
and to think it will tend to make the time pass more agreeable for I feel very lonesome.
Mrs. Hart's family are all well and are expecting a letter from Ma.


Transcribed by Nicole J. Milano, University of Florida, 2009

PAGE 1

[Written at top in different handwriting] With Aunt Mary after Un cle Obadiah Conger’s death Jacksonville, December 25 1848 My dear Father You will perceive by the date of this I am at Jacksonville. I arrived here a few days since, after a short and pleasant passage found Aunty pretty well for her and seemed delighted to see me. I left Ossian at Key West pe rfectly well, expect to spend the ballance [ sic ] of the winter here, and go on in the spring in co mpany with Aunt if my heart does not fail me. I almost feel home sick already but I feel it my duty to stay w ith Aunty now that she is alone and try and lighten he r troubles, but I can assure you it is quite a task for me, the house seemes [ sic ] to wear a gloomy face, ev[e]ry thing reminds me of the severity of our loss. She contemplates renting the house next summer, and I think I will prevail on her to spend next winter with me in Key West. I have been looki ng for a letter from Anna in answer to her last one I wrote her some four months si nce but it has not arrived yet. I am very anxious to hear from home and I hope you at least will not neglect to write me a few lines immediately and now I feel so loneso me. I wish you would send me a paper as often as you [can] and if you can spare the money I wish you would subscribe for the Home Journal, a litterary [ sic ] paper published in New York for me and have it sent to this place. I hope Ma and all the family are well give my love to them and believe me ever to be— Your affectionate daughter C.S. Hart P.S. When I see you next summer I will repay you what ever may be the cost of that paper for one year. I am very anxious to have it now while I am here to give me the news and to think it will tend to make the time pa ss more agreeable for I feel very lonesome. Mrs. Hart’s family are all well and are expecting a letter from Ma. Transcribed by Nicole J. Milano, University of Florida, 2009