[001] 
 
St. Marys, [Camden County] Georgia 
February 2 1849 
 
My dear Matty. 
Your old Moma was delighted & very grateful to get such a nice kind letter from the family she had 
received so much kindness from & gratified that you should remember her with so much affection as 
to write to me. I should be very much pleased to be with you for a little while & see how comfortably 
fixed you are but that country is too cold for me. I had rather be here where we do not need so much 
wood & warm clothing & shelter from the cold. It would be bad for my old painful limbs. I am just 
about what you left me. I have all I want but I miss the many little acts of kindness you children were 
always doing for me. 
We are all going on much after the old sort - some things a little worse than usual. Dr. Mitchell & 
his family are here & Dr. [Francis] Curtis doing as bad as ever. He drove his whole family out the 
other night & beat his wife. Dr. [Henry] Bacon still very mad with poor Kate & Mr. Parsons (they 
have gone to Jacksonville). It is no use to keep mad for it only makes things worse. 
I heard from Fanny last week. She is well & I hope to have her home shortly now. Mistress has wrote 
for her to come the first of March. 
 
[002] 
 
[beginning left side page] 
 
Major Clark is dead & the family all broke up. Mrs. Clark & her daughter have taken another house 
& Henry & Louisa keep the old one. Henry expects to get his Fathers office. The school is broke up. 
Mr. Barratte quit & Mr. Delian could get no scholars hardly so Mr. [William] Williams + is trying to 
get a pious man to come and take a school. Hellen Gun & Nancy Flood have each pretty good 
schools. The church is so, so. The people do not seem to like Mr. Williams though I think he is a good 
man & I hope God will bless his labors among us. 
Tell Jesse I have got short & he is fat & contented with me & I love him for his 
Masters sake. The cat I have not got. Your help as you call her must look very smart in your 
nice kitchen with her nice apron & silk shawl, but do not think your victuals are any better cooked 
that I could do with my crippled foot & crackers apron. Anyhow, they do not love you better than I 
do & shall ever remember the kindness of you all to me. Please give my love to all your family 
father, mother, sisters & brothers. All here send love. 
From your old Moma 
 
 [signed] Catharine Elbert 
 
[right page] 
 
I hate to look towards the old house you left. I have not been there since you went away. Mr. Clark is 
fixing up quite smart. Tell Jamy [or Jimy] he has forgot his promise to send me something nice. Give my love 
to Mr. Ingersoll & all the family & Abby & everyday I know. My old Mistresses - both of them 
send their love to you all. George Long is married & brought his bride home (Uranie Delorme [or DeCoome])