Collections

Typed copy of letter by Mr. M. C. Stephens (1835) to his daughter, Sarah, at Newburn, North Carolina. From content of the letter, it is clear that Mr. Stephens came to Florida and acquired a plantation at Rosanna, near Quincy, and was in the process of building a house which he hoped to have nearly completed by the time his family would arrive. They were to travel by coastal vessel and disembark at St. Marks or Apalachicola Bay, and travel to Tallahassee by "Hack...from whence it will be easy to get home." He asked to be advised of the time of arrival of the vessel so as to "time my wagon and team to be at St. Marks with cotton to take return freight of our household stuff up to my house." He wrote on the subject of prices for some articles being more expensive in Florida than in North Carolina, and suggested that they purchase clothing before leaving, and to bring from their Newburn garden specified herbs, and reminded them to bring "the St. Domingo Shallot - the best in the world, bring roots and seeds."Other members of the family mentioned were, Julia and Louisa, daughters, presumably. He also mentioned Betsy and Rosanna, but did not state the relationship.