The first love letter we have that Addison wrote to Anna was dated Dec 16, 1849. It was not the first he wrote to her. He mentions having written to her before in this letter, saying he told her in his last letter that he wouldn’t write to her again if she did not answer, but changed his mind.
Addison wrote to her for about 4 ½ years before she consented to marry him. His patience and persistence testifies to how dearly he loved her, and how unwavering he was in his purpose to win her.
Only one complete example of his letters will be given as it occurred two weeks before their marriage and reflects our family connections and also shows his strong feelings for Anna.
“Dry Run, Va. Dec 1, 1953
My Dearest Miss Anna,
May the Almighty forever Bless you for your kindness to me — you dearest Darling — there is much that I would wish to say to you — but somehow I have not the heart to say or write what I would wish to say.
O Anna my gratitude to you is unbounded — Today two weeks — we are to be united in the Holy Bands of Wedlock — thanks to you dearest Anna and on Friday we will have to foot it to mother’s as I have no horse — nor am I fixed to keep horses - Indeed I am ashamed that I can't do better — but so it is. But the distance is not so far but that we can easily walk the distance — although it will not look so grand — Yet we need not care for that.
It is mothers wish and my wish that your Father, and Daniel Flaherty, and Mary and Elizabeth and Sarah and Daniel and Isabella will accompany us and spend the day with us at mothers, of course Eli and Julia will lead the way for us — I look over the homely phrase of this letter — for if I can't do as I would wish my thoughts and wishes are good — God in Heaven knows that I never had one bad or impure thought concerning you dear adorable immaculate, heavenly Miss Anna. Addison"