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Rock Spring Mar 11th 1868
(one year after they became engaged)
My dear Carrie [who was visiting her parents in Alexandria and pregnant] Just after dinner is not generally the best time to write letters, but as I expect to go away this evening thought this would be the only opportunity. I have not heard yet how you got to Laurel or whether you got there atall but as Henry promised to let me know if you met with any misfortune I feel quite easy as I have not heard from him. I hope thee will keep well and enjoy thy visit. It has been beautiful weather for it so far, and for that, as well as some other reasons, I hope it will keep so. I left Rockland vry soon after you left, called at Olney and the store and came to Rock Spring. The road was not any worse than when we went up and if this weather continues a few days the roads will be good again. I found everything right when I got here except that it was dreadfully lonesome in the house consequently I did not stay in it much. Fixed up a number of boxes for hens nests about in different places, did some work in the shop and mended carryall. After supper read as much of Dombey & Son as the "blues" and sleep would let me. Got up this morning feeling much brighter and better and am now as comfortable as circumstances will allow. It is a bright beautiful day and I have taken advantage of it to make a hotbed which I did this morning. I find by my journal that I made it once on the 6th
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there is such an occasion to celebrate. I hope however we may not again spend it away from each other.
Olney 7 oI came here this eventing bu Willow gove found Uncle Roger in very bad condition, has lain in the sameposition since last evening and is suffering all the time. I do not belive he will last many days without a great change. I have promised to sit up tonight and dread it a good deal as I connot understand anything he tries too say. I was very much disappointed at not getting the letter thee said I would get this eventing from Mother or Eliza, and was sorry I had not told thee to have them send it if they had not done so when you arrived. I hpe not to disappointed tomorrow.
I saw henry at willow grove this evening, said he had written to sarah, all well. I expect to go to wash. on 6th day in carryall, hope to get to alex. By 4 o'cl. Please give much love to all the dear friends. Do not forget my directions. keep well, be a good girl, love me little and allow me to love thee a great deal. thy devoted husband /s/ Note: Uncle Roger: Roger Brooke VI, son of roger B. V of B Grove, who sttled at Willow Grove with his bride in the erly 1840s. He died at age 58 in march 1868, the same mouth in which R wrote this letter.
In Old Home... montg. Co rbf the author writes:
"the death of the roger VI caused a wave of sorrow among his friends and neighbors by whom he was espcially loved and admired." *** of the letter-writer's bonds to willow grove, the book says: to [my father ], Willow grove was like a second home during the years