Letter: Nancy Denny to her nephew Joseph A. Murray in Pittsburgh, 1834

Letter: Aunt Nancy Denny to her nephew Joseph A. Murray in Pittsburgh, 1834¹

“We had a splendid dinner at three o'clock. Rachel Baker was my chief cook and bottle washer and everything was in [style].”

We learn about the wedding of William Boyd Murray, Joseph’s brother, and Margaret Parker Fleming, as well as which family members rode together to the wedding. Charles Murray's brother Joseph receives instructions from Aunt Denny on how to get Charles to move to Pittsburgh. Mr. Harmar Denny has something wrong with his face and Aunt Denny suggests a liniment that cured Mr. Lyon and Mr. Stiles of Carlisle.

Carlisle, January 13, 1834

Dear Joseph

Your Father and Mother has been very unhappy about the thought you were sick or something the matter. I have been engaged helping your Mother. Your people [? ] going to the wedding. Will and Boyd Simison in one gig,² Charles and Eliza Simison in another gig, Comfort and his wife and your Aunt Betsy and your brother George in a closed carriage quite in state. The next day William brought his bride home. Will and his bride, Boyd & Miss Clark in different gigs, then Charles and Eliza, George & Miss Ann Irwine, John Fleming and his wife, then William Fleming and his wife then Mr. Irwin and his wife.³ We had a splendid dinner at three o'clock. Rachel Baker^{4 was my chief cook and bottle washer and everything was in [style].}

Will and his wife is to live in the house with your father⁵ this winter. That’s a comfort to them. They had some trouble to part with him but delighted with his wife—now for Charles. He has nothing to do here and cannot bare [sic] to be idle and I think if he was in your town he could get employment. What think you, he has a very good trade. Ask Mrs. Denny & Mrs. O'Hara what they think of him coming to your town to get work. He is a very genteel young man and your Mother cannot bare to part with him. You must go to Mr. Bright. Ask what a day and if he can board him. Ask Alexander Robinson what his master gives and see him yourself if you can. I am much [? ] for Charles.⁶ I wish him to do well. Your Father says you must be very particular in writing to Charles. Let him know everything you can. Introduce Charles into your own society if you please. You need not write to me about the business. Write to your father and Charles. They would be hurt, all of them. I will send the letters.

My dear sweet little Melly. How is she. Kiss her and tell her I have a Christmas gift for her and Caroline.⁷ No opportunity to send them. If Charles goes up I will send them with him. Dear little Melly. I long to see her. Is there no news from Mrs. Harding. I feel unhappy about them. Has Mrs. (Dr.?) Denny got home and how is she. I should like to know. Poor Mrs. Andrews. How does she bear her daughter’s death. Let me know what was the matter with her. Everybody breaking up here. Lace[sic] has been sold out by the sheriff. No business is doing here. Every day is like Sunday. Dull indeed.

My love to Mrs. O'Hara and Mrs. Denny. Tell Kitty Dickinson that Mr. Knocks (Knox) calls to see me very often to ask about her. Kitty has made a great many friends in Carlisle. Miss Watts begs Catharine to write to her. Let me know if Mr. Harmar Denny went to Philadelphia at Christmas (holiday?). He said he would about his face. There is a man here that makes a liniment that cures the complaint. He cured Mr. Lyon and Mr. Stiles. Those gentlemen recommend it. If Mrs. Denny would like I could get it and send it up by Carls [sic] to her and she could send it to him. I want to hear from him.

Your friends all send their love to you,
Your affectionate Aunt ND [Nancy Denny]