0369----1833 David Crawford letter to wife Caroline (Passage) - Princeton NJ

Description

0369----1833 David Crawford letter to wife Caroline (Passage) - Princeton NJ
0369----1833 David Crawford letter to wife Caroline (Passage) - Princeton NJ
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Description
Original 1833 handwritten letter by David Crawford to his wife Caroline in Princeton NJ.
David was a promising attorney in Alabama after graduating from Princeton in 1824.
He married Caroline Passage, the daughter of well known baker John Passage.
So we know David Crawford was from Washington DC, graduated Princeton,
practiced law in Alabama, even becoming the Attorney General for a short period.
We can assume Princeton is the town where he met his future wife,
where the Passage family was very well known.
David writes of his failing health, the cholera epidemic, his future residence, some philosophy, etc.
He is only about 30 years of age at this time, but from his writing, he is in poor health.
Telling his wife not to worry, that he is well supplied with medicines and instructions.
Perhaps his wife is back home caring for her aging father in Princeton.
The letter is addressed to Caroline Crawford in care of John Passage.
David did pass away 3 years later in 1836.
Sadly, his wife died in 1853, only age 44.
In this letter he mentions the towns of Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Mobile, Claiborne, etc.
The letter is datelined Augusta, Georgia, so I am assuming he is staying with perhaps friends or relatives.
He also writes of leaving Augusta and moving for the summer with "George" or "Dr Roberts" in a place
called Springville, "the last spur of the Allegheny Mountains."
Interesting to read about his description of the stage coach, and his interruption when reading,
by a woman who started to play a waltz on the piano.
David opens the letter with the greeting of "My Dearest Wife" and closes with "Goodbye my sweet wife."
He simply signs "D.C."
The letter is 3 pages and in VG condition with natural mailing folds. There are several area where
the letter is separating at these folds.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR A SUPER SIZED VIEW.
Also, please review some research items I uncovered, such as the Princeton listing of David Crawford,
news clipping about the 1824 commencement, John Passage bio info, and a clipping
from April of 1833 reporting the resignation of Crawford in Mobile.
These items are
NOT
included with the sale of the letter.
SORRY, ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
I was able to decipher about 85% of the letter.
Some areas are difficult to read.  Perhaps with more studying, one can fill in the blanks.
Please review the letter below:
Augusta Georgia June 25
th
1833
My Dearest Caroline
Thanks to propitious ??? I am thus far without accidents and with the endurance of as few annoying incidents – indeed I should say none. I exercised a great deal of philosophy, a good deal of patience and a good deal of serenity but most all of I slept a good deal. Holt’s?? friends are all in the country. The Meltons have fled to New York and we have no inducement to sojourn longer in Augusta. ??? shall be compelled to travel all night as no other stage flies between this + Milledgeville but the mail stage, and that will be crowded. However. I can pause again in Milledgeville + ????. The cholera is doubtless prevalent in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Claiborne and on many of the plantations on the vinery but confined principally to the ??? Mobile is now a ?? death + a safer place than any other in the State and in Dr. Lenerts?? capacity + skill I greatly confide – Springville the last spur of the Allegheny Mountains shall be the place of my residence during the summer either at George’s or Dr Roberts, and from the city I will preserve a respectful distance. I entertain no apprehensions – am well supplied with the proper medicines and the proper instruction as to the times and modes of using them and temperate on my diet and correct
in all my relief – So do not fear for me. You shall receive daily + honest accounts of my condition – I know not when I will write to you again but in a day or two. How many letters have you written me. Shall I find one in the post office on my arrival? Let your letters be short. Do not make a tail of pleasure – Blot and rub out as much as you please and do not fatigue mind + body and shatter your nerves by bending for hours over your desk – I have anticipated all your recommendations and your ?? not trouble yourself to letter them. I am clothed in flannels as with a garment and my feet are eased in woolen socks which I propose wearing all summer. Now let me ask of you and your health? Have you got anything to improve it or are you still waiting to make up your mind whether you can communicate freely with your physician and submit - yes all – which they prescribed my dear wife. Away with false modesty in a matter of life and death.   Do not
I entice you, by the untimely exhibition of an ill judged delicacy mortify, grieve and disappoint your ??? Throw yourself under your Mother??? living and protected by her presence. Submit your ??? will understand and will appreciate all that you suffer and pain will be endeared to him still more by the knowledge that all your sufferings are endured for his sake. I was reading in my chamber when a lady in the adjoining room most agreeably interrupted my studies by performing a waltz on the piano. I then ??? my books and called for writing material, ??? to ask you to place yourself under the most accomplished musical instructor to be procured in ??? and to ??? to apply yourself most diligently and ??? improvement of your musical taste – Not only in playing but in singing too! How much might not a loving wife ambitions to gratify her husband and minister to his happiness ?? in the next five months? Will you oblige me?
Present me affectionately to all my friends in Princeton. Take care of yourself. I pray ?? and do not offend and provide Providence by the indulgence of ?? and irrational fear concerning me. I am well and hope to remain so. Good Bye my sweet wife. D.C.
(Writing on left border of Page 1)
On yesterday I met Capt. Morris of Claiborne.
Judge Cait + family were well.
(Cover)
Mrs. Caroline Crawford
Care of Mr John Pasage
Princeton New Jersey
(Postmark)
Augusta GA June 25
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