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Athens De [December] 13th 1851 
My Dearest Daughter
Your kind letter reached me yesterday -- and it was -- I assume you a cordial to my feelings -- It is so pleasant to find -- that we are all affectionately remembered; -- and that our efforts to make your first visit to us agreeable were not altogether unsuccessful -- But I ought not to use the word effort -- For indeed it required none -- You [unclear text: were] always so meek and thoughtful and good -- and the only regret on my part was that you [unclear text: would] not always let me know what to do in order to make you more comfortable -- so fearful were you of giving trouble God who knows my heart can bear me witness -- that I love you like a child and that I mourn your absence -- as though you were bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh and then it gives me so much satisfaction to hear -- that dear Joseph is determined to accommodate himself 



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to his new situation and circumstances O how many causes -- has he to be grateful and happy! A dear little wife that loves and appreciates him -- Friends able and willing to [unclear text: assist] him Margaret my child -- endeavour to make Joseph contented and cheerful. Let not undue anxiety about the present or future -- [unclear text: harrass] him -- Keep down pride the pride of wealth -- the pride of ambition How these corrode the soul -- While it is the duty of all -- to labor diligently according to their strength -- bodily and mentally which is given us -- having done this -- we should be content with our lot Happiness does not consist in great riches -- nor honors but in Godliness with contentment But I will not weary you with thoughts which are so familiar to your own well regulated mind Follow in the footsteps of your own dear Parents and you have nothing to fear
Athens is quite bare of news Mrs John Crawford was thought to be dying day before 



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yesterday -- I called yesterday to see her and although a little better she cannot stand it much longer -- she is quite resigned to depart and rest from her suffer which for the last nine months have been very faithful -- Charlie Nesbits wife -- Miss Virginia Jones as was is dead -- John Cobb returned from Macon and his brother, [illegible text] yesterday -- we did not see [unclear text: Miss J] -- she had not returned from Alabama -- the [unclear text: time] was quite a fine affair -- Among the rest of the guests -- there came in some forty factory women with there [their] male attendants -- uninvited one of the men -- after [deleted text: swallowing] swallowing down two tumblers of syllabub pocketed them and was making off when an old negro seized him and made him surrender them up the woman would cut a large cake into four pieces and with both hands hold a quarter of it to their mouths and eat at once
We are all well Marion and 



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all the children hers and ours unite in being affectionately remembered to Aunty and Lester Margaret and Uncle and brother Joe Poor little Robin is very thankful for your invitation -- A note dropped out of your letter where it was opened and I cant [can't] guess who wrote it from seeing [unclear text: Eddy] whose happy disposition -- is a great comfort both to him and us -- hold it to the mouths of his little brother to kiss -- If [unclear text: Callie] has not left you say to her that the initials of Mrs Robsons [Robson's] name are [unclear text: J N] Robson Hoping to hear very often from you

I am dear daughter


affectionately your mother 
[Signed] C C [Callender Cunningham Grieve Lumpkin] Lumpkin