Submitted by Linda Vance
Letter written to her future husband a few days before their wedding:
Dear Tommie, enclosed is the paper you wanted - don't use it unless needed. I am disappointed in not seeing you today - but suppose it's alright - be sure too have your ambrotype put in that pin - if you want to invite M. Nicks, M.(?), Mr. Wilson and Jim Barksdale out to supper on Wednesday night - do as you please about it however they are the only young men in town I care anything about. If I (?) were to invite them it would make some the others angry, if you were too it would not I reckon. It's a dreary looking day - I trust it is not an omen of our journey through life - if I thought so I would certainly "crawfish" - it is solemn thought Tom - the idea of placing my every hope of my happiness, my being my (?) life in your keeping. Tom I give up much for you - my maiden freedom and enjoyment; for your sake I am about to assume fearful weighty responsibilities - you cannot realize how I feel, woman's sphere is so different from man's you can form but a faint idea of the struggle it costs to become a wife - all I ask in return is your constant, never varying love and attention - I cannot bear neglect or coldness, always love me, always be kind to me. I claim nothing more - that alone will make me happy. Every your,
Mollie
Nov 30 1856
Letter written to her future husband a few days before their wedding:
Dear Tommie, enclosed is the paper you wanted - don't use it unless needed. I am disappointed in not seeing you today - but suppose it's alright - be sure too have your ambrotype put in that pin - if you want to invite M. Nicks, M.(?), Mr. Wilson and Jim Barksdale out to supper on Wednesday night - do as you please about it however they are the only young men in town I care anything about. If I (?) were to invite them it would make some the others angry, if you were too it would not I reckon. It's a dreary looking day - I trust it is not an omen of our journey through life - if I thought so I would certainly "crawfish" - it is solemn thought Tom - the idea of placing my every hope of my happiness, my being my (?) life in your keeping. Tom I give up much for you - my maiden freedom and enjoyment; for your sake I am about to assume fearful weighty responsibilities - you cannot realize how I feel, woman's sphere is so different from man's you can form but a faint idea of the struggle it costs to become a wife - all I ask in return is your constant, never varying love and attention - I cannot bear neglect or coldness, always love me, always be kind to me. I claim nothing more - that alone will make me happy. Every your,
Mollie
Nov 30 1856
Submitted by Linda Vance
Letter written to her future husband a few days before their wedding:
Dear Tommie, enclosed is the paper you wanted - don't use it unless needed. I am disappointed in not seeing you today - but suppose it's alright - be sure too have your ambrotype put in that pin - if you want to invite M. Nicks, M.(?), Mr. Wilson and Jim Barksdale out to supper on Wednesday night - do as you please about it however they are the only young men in town I care anything about. If I (?) were to invite them it would make some the others angry, if you were too it would not I reckon. It's a dreary looking day - I trust it is not an omen of our journey through life - if I thought so I would certainly "crawfish" - it is solemn thought Tom - the idea of placing my every hope of my happiness, my being my (?) life in your keeping. Tom I give up much for you - my maiden freedom and enjoyment; for your sake I am about to assume fearful weighty responsibilities - you cannot realize how I feel, woman's sphere is so different from man's you can form but a faint idea of the struggle it costs to become a wife - all I ask in return is your constant, never varying love and attention - I cannot bear neglect or coldness, always love me, always be kind to me. I claim nothing more - that alone will make me happy. Every your,
Mollie
Nov 30 1856
Letter written to her future husband a few days before their wedding:
Dear Tommie, enclosed is the paper you wanted - don't use it unless needed. I am disappointed in not seeing you today - but suppose it's alright - be sure too have your ambrotype put in that pin - if you want to invite M. Nicks, M.(?), Mr. Wilson and Jim Barksdale out to supper on Wednesday night - do as you please about it however they are the only young men in town I care anything about. If I (?) were to invite them it would make some the others angry, if you were too it would not I reckon. It's a dreary looking day - I trust it is not an omen of our journey through life - if I thought so I would certainly "crawfish" - it is solemn thought Tom - the idea of placing my every hope of my happiness, my being my (?) life in your keeping. Tom I give up much for you - my maiden freedom and enjoyment; for your sake I am about to assume fearful weighty responsibilities - you cannot realize how I feel, woman's sphere is so different from man's you can form but a faint idea of the struggle it costs to become a wife - all I ask in return is your constant, never varying love and attention - I cannot bear neglect or coldness, always love me, always be kind to me. I claim nothing more - that alone will make me happy. Every your,
Mollie
Nov 30 1856
