Turner, Anne Marie Stewart. "Letter to My Dear Husband from Wife." (1863) Rice University: https://hdl.handle.net/1911/75600.

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[[The year 1863 is written in different hand]]

[1863]
Sunday Aug 23.

My dear Husband,  
It is with heart felt regret that I write to 
tell you the sad news of your sister Martha’s death.  She 
died today about one o’clock.  As I have seen no one from 
Summerville I do not know when or where the burial will
take place.  I have no way of going myself.  Though I would 
take a sad pleasure in following her to her last resting place.  
She was a sister to me and I feel that I have lost the 
only friend I had in the family. It is a sad bereavement 
to them and I feel it as much as they. 
I wish that you could come home now, it would 
be a comfort to the family and a great happiness 
to me to see you once more.  I could tell you a 
great many little things you would like to know
connected with your sister. Of her last moments I 
know nothing but suppose she was unconcerned 
as she could not be around when your Pa left on 
Saturday morning.  He and the boys came down 
here and she was dead when they reached there. 
I didn’t see why your Pa left when her end was 
so near but I suppose he could not bear to see 
her die – and he had done all he could. 
Ella is very low and I don’t know when 
Ma will be down. I am all alone. 
The laughing of the children is ill timed
now. Poor innocents!

       
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Cousin John received your letter. I know it was a 
pleasure to your sister to hear from you. she told me 
the last time I ever saw her at her own house that you 
had more influence over her than any one else
and that she loved you better, and said at the 
[[faded ink illegible]] that you she believed you were well suited in 
a wife and expressed a great many sentiments 
in my favor. Parson McKay 
visited her and prayed with her and I hope 
she did with hope. I know Pet how 
you will feel when you read this and I wish you 
may be consoled from above, time alone can 
heal the wounds from Heaven. Your favorite 
Sister is a loss to you that you will always 
think of with pain and my heart sympathizes 
with you.
I received the money ($20) in the note 
enclosed tin your Pa’s letter. Get something 
to make your shirts if you can and I will 
make them for you and shall always do 
willingly for you anything in my power.
With devoted love I am ever your
Faithful
Wife