Postmark: Wythe C.H. Va
Feb 19
Mr. James T. Gleaves
Richmond
Va.
18 ¾
Wythe County February 17th, 1838
My Dear James
You must not think I have forgoten you or that I have so much to do either that I can not take time to write to you though I did not answer your letter of the 20 of Jan for a week after I received it their was so much ice in the Creeks that I was affraid to send Sam and hearing you ware so well mad me more careless. I wrote you a letter Dated 3rd of Febuary and if you did not get it I know no reason for it accept it was so badly indorced that those that kept the post office thought that nothing looking as it did ought ever to get to Richmond.
After getting through with my apology I must let you know how the family is. I think your Mother’s health is better than it has been for some time and the rest of the family are all well you requested me in your letter of the 4 of Febuary to let you know if I received all the packages you sent me. I have and the man you were doubtful of wanted E. McGavock to pay him again for halling I am very much pleased with all you sent me and particularly with your selection of books and I supose the best guess work that has been done in Richmond this winter was my frock it fits me very well accept the top part of the sleeves are a little to small the children are very much pleased with their caps James Roberts are to small Margaret is also well pleased with her bonnet I believe you have given general satisfaction in all your purchases
My Dear I am at los to know what to write respecting the farm I have got very little plowing done and indeed there has been very little wether for plowing since this month come in we had 30 lambs about 9 of this month there was several cold days and I lost the half of them with all the care that I could take of them one sow had 3 pigs and 2 of them ded though not for the want care I have the others in a pen to them selves you will think the prospect bad for bacon the stock all seems to do very well.
I don’t want you to be disapointed when you get home if you expect anny big things you will certainly.
Your nepew Stephen Porter has not returned with his wife yet but is expected every day and I think it very likely John Bell and Martha Porter will be maried shortly I heard he got his weding cloths last court
Mr. Ewing is yet aliv and I may say that is all I heard from Nicholas Oglesby a few days ago he was alive then but I don’t doubt but he is dead now old John Repas fel in the fire and got so badly burnt that his life despaired of
this neighbourhood for children Col. Johns Lady had anoter Daughter 2 weeks ago and Elizabeth Pierce had 2 a son and Daughter son Died and Grasan against the world. Katherine Funk with all her doctoring has had 2 fine thrifty children a son and Daughter and if I ware to mention all that has been born since you left it would tire you to read it
I expect you will see Mr. Piper and his wife in Richmond and it will be a good time for you to call on him for your pay as he told Samuel he could not pay you until he returned.
I expect by that his business is to collect money
James I believe I have written all the news of the county is of that worth your attention and some that not and I must conclude by teling you I want to see you very bad and the children all express a great Desire to see you your Mother also and Robert says now you don to town to buy feet cakes I wan you to write to me as soon as you receive this letter and let me know when you expect to get home and if it would be necessary for me to write again and if there is any work you want done before you get home please mention it in your next and make hast home
Malvina Gleaves
Colonel Piper mentioned in the letter was a legend in his own day. A story about him climbing the wall of Natural Bridge ended up in the 1st edition of McGuffey’s 5th Reader. He was a foolhardy young student at Washington College (now Washington and Lee) at the time, which was less than 10 miles away. He’s not mentioned by name and he never liked to be recognized as the main character in the story. Piper’s Cave in Speedwell was named for him. He was a teacher in his later years but had been an engineer, a surveyor, a mathematician and was appointed by President Polk, a personal friend, to a government position for several years. He dined occasionally with Polk at the White House. His wife mentioned survived him and remarried a Rev. McTeer and she was a legendary local saint and moved from Speedwell where Piper is buried to Wytheville after the second marriage.