Here is a letter he wrote in 1845:
Loretto Va
May 28, [1845]
Care of
Mr. John Gray, Sr.
Mrs. Mary Temple
Fredericksbg
Edenetta Tues: Evening
My dear Mother
I was sorry not to find you when I got back but was
pleased that you had gone too. I doubt whether you need
regret that you did not get to Convention tho: there was
room for you. You will learn from the friends that I
could not enjoy myself at Convention, but I did enjoy the
transient visit to the friends and believe you will NOW
more than you would have done during Convention. If I
enjoyed the society of the old people at Eastwood (for
really it was a pleasant time to me) how much more will
you. And you will be with Bp: Meade I hope. I expect
to go down this morning. I found John Ball here with the
]. He said all were well at home except Carter.
Mr. Gray kindly [promised] to take him up to the springs
this summer for me. I wish you’ll learn from him about
what time I had better send him to his house.
My situation, I suppose, kept out of my head, (at
the proper time) seeing after work for Moses. Perhaps
Mr. Pollock or cous John Gray may know of some. Tho:
John Ball tells me he has been at work for Mr. Garrett
since I left home. He left Wayland the day after they
carried the horse down.
Brother A. & Mr. Pitts did not stop here on their way
down yesterday. I hope he staid at Wayland with Susan
tho he wanted to get home, sister J would not leave
Westwood before he went for her. Dr. Fauntleroy is here.
He thinks Mr. [Rowper] better.
Cousin Cath Berkeley and the Miss Robinsons got up from
Langlee yesterday morning. They stay until Thursday.
I intended asking you where the [Bombajene] is, which you
told me Susan could have to face my vest with. When you
write please mention, if I can get it, as I want ,to have
it made. I am expecting the prayer bell to ring, and
have written in much [haste].
My love to sister & Mary and also my friends with
whom you are. Your affec: son
Henry
Cous Janet I hope will give you my prayer book.
From Pages 46-49 from the Temple Letters From Wayland
Millers Tav. Va
Credit Box 44
Sept. 7, 1846
Loretto Essex Co. Virginia
Miss Lucy L. Temple
Care of Richard Baylor Esq.
Wayland Sept. 7, 1846
My dear Sister
I thought, that, perhaps I should hear from you
before writing myself, not that I thought this was due;
but from your telling me you thought you should let me
hear from you very shortly. I hope this will find you
all well, and realizing all the anticipations formed
before you set off from home.
Mamma’s last letter to you conveyed the sorrowful
intellijence of uncle [Waring’s] death. It was a heavy
stroke to the poor girls but in less a week from the time
they heard of it, they were called to mourn the death of
little Tom. He was taken sick last wednesday and died
on Friday evening with a congestive form of fever. Two
deaths occurring so shortly in our family, as you may
suppose has cast a gloom over our neighbourhood. A more
hard death than either of these occured at Hollywood the
night after little Tom’s. Rachel a girl there whom you
no doubt remember, had had as every one thought a slight
attack of ague & fever not supposed to make her lay by.
On Friday night she was taken with puking, and died very
suddenly. I trust such calls to be ready also will not
be unheeded by us.
The girls (Ann & Susan) are still at the Meadow
(where Tom died and where catesby has been quite sick but
better now) but expect shortly to go to James’ to stay.
I hope they will be over persuaded from doing this as
Juliet [ ] children have been sick, and many of the
negroes are sick. The servants at [Mattapony] have been
well.
Brother Arthur and family (except Mary & John – the
former here the latter to school today) went from here
this morning. They came up on Saturday morning. We all
went to the Meadow Saturday evening, where I read the
burial service, and some of the company to the grave.
I could but hope & think that the services on such an
occasion might be blest? to some of the many young
persons who were present.
Yesterday the Bible class met here. Some of the
Members besides brother and family came in the forenoon.
Aunt M. Latane also, and we had a service in the
forenoon.
Joe Lewis you have heard has been quite sick & has
recovered in a great measure. The rest of the friends
are well I believe Aunt M. Latane has been quite sick
but as I mentioned her being here you may know she has
recovered in a great measure. She looks very thin. Lucy
Robinson has grown very much, and I think improved in
her appearance. She will return to Richmond. Brother
is even talking this morning of Mary’s going too. I
suspect it would do her much good if she could.
You are beginning to be impatient I expect to hear
particularly from Mamma & the children. Mamma I think
has improved. Lizzy has a bile which has been very
painful but is now discharging very freely, and we hope
she will soon be well of it. She is very patient. Mary
is quite well. They both call me uncle Henry.
Sometimes, Mary is quite familiar will sit in my lap,
and again is as shy as a rabbit. I do not know what to
make of her. She is something uncommon, I think.
I suppose before you receive this you will have
visited Boston. It would be pity for you to return home
without going there after getting so near, and not to go
to Nahant if you go to Boston. If you go to Cambridge
you may know the building that I roomed in by asking any
one in the college yard which building is called
Massachusetts. It is with the library which it fronts,
the oldest building on the ground. I hope you may get
into the library. If you go after getting there (as I
suppose you might when I wrote the above) do not fail to
get sight of the Episcopal church. It was built I have
understood before the Revolution.
Did you get me the number of the Democratic Review
with the portrait of Stephens? Can I get you to do me
another like favour. To get for me, of J.C. Riker
Bookseller & Publisher “The Preacher’s Manual”. He sent
me a prospectus of the work. It does not say in what
part of N. York he is but this you can see from a
directory. I should prefer the cheapest form. Love from
all of us to all of you.
Very truly
H.W.L. Temple