Letter I: February 6, 1856 – The Separation of Grace

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The Elvira Record | Our Mahogany Heritage Institute

Letter I: The Parting Between Them

Collection: Best and Hext Family Papers
Location: Barnwell, South Carolina
Date: February 26, 1856
Named Individuals:
Elvira (Elyira), Grace (Daughter of E.), Cally H., Leany, Tody, Byron, Mr. McC

Archival Scan

Archival Scan of Letter I

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South Caroliniana Library

Complete Transcription:

Barnwell Feb 26 1856

Dear dear Leany

I will try and write you a few lines although I feel so low Spirited that I dont know what to do, Tody left this morning at 7 oclock Byron went with them, I felt so sorry for little Grace she did not want to goe and the parting between she and Elyira was very very affecting, hi ho you have no idea how I feel, Mr McC would not promise to bring her Tody back soon dear Leany home will never be like home again for evry thing has changed so much that I can hardly believe I am the same person I use to be.

Oh if I were only prepared to die to go and meet my dear Ma I would not cear how soon death called for me I suppose you have heard of Mrs Inghram is dead she died Tusday or wensday Ady is at Mr Frank Dunbars she is to be home in two or three weeks she will be a greadeal of company for us, Mr McC drove Tody to church in the buggy on Sunday Tody looked very pretty after she was dressed Aunt Maria is to stay with us two or three weeks longer, I have no more news to tell you but the next time I write it shall be a long letter all send love to you, now good by and believe me to be your own

Cally H

Historical Interpretation

Note the author’s spelling of “Elyira” in the original manuscript. This document provides critical evidence of the separation of Elvira and her daughter Grace, a moment the author describes as “very very affecting,” despite her focus on her own “low Spirits.”

This letter captures the initial fracturing of the maternal line. Grace is removed from the household, leaving Elvira behind in Barnwell. This separation, documented in early 1856, predates Elvira’s own eventual movement and marks the beginning of the recorded trauma found within the Best and Hext family papers.

Archival Citation

ALS, 26 February 1856, Barnwell, South Carolina, Adeline Susan Hext to Selena Caroline Hext Best. Papers of the Best and Hext Families, South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina.
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Curated and interpreted by Our Mahogany Heritage Institute.

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