9 March 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Letter addressed "My Dearest Joe." Expresses pleasure at receiving his letters. Complains news is scarce and it is difficult to write two letters a week with anything interesting to say. Reports she attended a "sing" at the Baptist Church. Informs a neighbor has typhoid fever. Complains of a sore throat and toothache. Asks, "Wasn't that disgusting about A. Johnson being drunk the day he was inaugurated?" (Possibly referring to President Andrew Johnson, who was in office 1865-1869 and was inaugurated 15 April 1865, after the date of this letter. May therefore be referring to his inauguration…

GLC03523.10.168

2 April 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Bell writes to Joseph expressing her desire for him to be there. Reports she went home for the funeral of a cousin. Mentions severe rain and flooding. Says she is glad to be done teaching and will not teach at all in the spring. Reports on an unhappy marriage between friends.

GLC03523.10.175

circa 15 April 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Letter is addressed "My Dear Dearest-Joe." Letter probably written on 15 April 1865. Bell writes, "I don't know when I ever had anything to shock me so as when I heard of the assassination of the President [Abraham Lincoln] this morning...if we had a good Vice President to take his place I wouldn't feel so worried." Reports on a recent flood that "...took all the fences and most of the bridges in its way." Says damage is estimated at ten thousand dollars.

GLC03523.10.179

5 May 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Bell writes to "My Dear Dear Joe." Says she is sorry his health is poor and wishes he could get a discharge. Mentions the wet spring they are having and the planting of flowers. Expresses concern for his safety and longing for his return.

GLC03523.10.181

9 May 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Bell writes to Joe from home. Says the weather is very rainy and slowing down their planting. Reports her aid society meets tomorrow. Anticipates they will disband soon "...as the Confederacy is played out and the war is over."

GLC03523.10.183

4 May 1862

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Joseph M. Maitland]

Addresses letter "Dear Friend Joe." Relays a story about an "exceedingly interesting epistle" that was stored in a woman's pocket that she wanted to read. Reports that she eventually took it from her and "got my nose nearly broken in." Recipient inferred.

GLC03523.10.041

18 December 1862

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Begins letter, "To write a letter tonight or not that is the question I have been thinking of for some time & I have come to the conclusion that it will be nobler for me to write." Tells him, "if you come home I hope you see your girls especially that one you fell in love with sometime before you left." Signs the letter, "I remain your sincere friend."

GLC03523.10.055