Letter from Bernard Hooe to Susan L. Hardin

Scope and content:

Written from Elizabeth, New Jersey. Letter regards family news and Lauriston B. Hardin's estate.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Elizabeth, New Jersey
September 26, 1865

My dear Susie,
I cannot find language suitably to express the gratification I have derived from the receipt of your most acceptable letter of 5th inst. Which came to me yesterday thro' the Post Office at New York, to which I hasten to reply, to show my high appreciation of your kind remembrance of me.

If I know myself I can never cease to feel an abiding interest in, and affection for the dear children of your beloved parents, both of whom I have always regarded with the most devoted and earnest attachment. And for the sake of yourself and dear little Johnnie, as well as because of my regard for your dear deceased parents, I can never entertain any other sentiments than those of kindness and affection.

You have perceived, by the date of my former letter, that it had been written a considerable time before it was transmitted, awaiting the re-establishment of mail facilities, of which I availed myself at the earliest moment after I had been advised, thro' your letter to Dr. Johnston of Washington City, D.C. as to your address.

I congratulate you on the safety of your brother Bunnie, who passed so successfully thro' the perils to which he was always exposed for the four eventful years of his life, and that he has been restored to his family and friends in that state of health and security which leaves his capacity for future usefulness unimpaired. He is now here, and desires me to say that he has written to you some weeks ago, and addressed his letter to your uncle Walter Lane, Wilmington, N. Carolina: and at the same time he wrote also to him, as your Guardian, informing him what is required by the Courts to be done by him in order that he may receive the share of Johnnie and yourself which has been decreed by the Courts in your favor, and which, if I mistake not, amounts to something near Six thousand dollars, derived from the property in Washington and the farm in Virginia: There will be still a balance coming from the latter source, in regard to which, other proceedings in the Alexandria Court will yet be necessary: what that amount may be I am not now able to inform you.

Your uncle Walter, as Guardian for you & Johnnie should present his petition in writing to the Circuit Superior Court of Washington County in the District of Columbia, praying an order directing the money now in the First National Bank in Washington (Jay Cooke's) to be paid to him, as Guardian etc., and, in addition, he should also execute a Power of Attorney, to authorize such person as he may designate, to receive the said money. Your brother Bernard is now here, but expects to locate himself, professionally as Chemist, etc., in the City of New York. He has just been appointed by the Board of Visitors of the Military School at Lexington, in Virginia, "Adjunct Professor of Mineralogy, Chemistry & Geology," which, I think, he is disinclined to accept, because of apprehension that the salaries the Institute will be enabled to pay, will be wholly inadequate, and that his prospect of success in New York is more encouraging. He may not therefore be in Washington to give the necessary attention to the collection of the money above referred to, and to avoid any further delay or difficulty about that matter, I would suggest that your Uncle Walter should come to Washington, and, in person, attend to the business. If, however, he shall decline to do so, either because it may be inconvenient for him or for any other reasons, he might give a Power of Attorney to your uncle Philip B. Hooe, who resides in Alexandria & would take pleasure in doing anything in his power to serve him or you. If your uncle shall adopt that course, he can enclose his Petition to the Court, together with the Power of Attorney, to you uncle Phil, in Alexandria.

In the losses you have sustained and the privations to which you have been subjected, you have my sincere sympathy, which is also extended to your dear Grandma, whose health I regret to hear has been injuriously affected by the trials she has had to encounter.

I am pleased to hear that you will probably be at school in Washington next winter: if so, I will have the opportunity to see you, as I think of visiting that City in December, and will perhaps pass the winter there.

Johnnie must follow your good example and write to me: it will afford me the pleasant opportunity of seeing his proficiency, as well as evince his kind remembrance of me: and you must recollect that I will be always most happy to read your letters which you can find time to write to me.

Present my kind remembrance to your dear Grandma, in which your Aunt Ellen unites.

Your uncles Bernard & Phil are in good health - the former retaining his office in the Coast Survey in Washington - and the latter has gone to establish himself in business at Alexandria, which he fears will be an uphill business. Your Aunt Mary Johnston, with the Doct. and all their children are well - Belle at home - Willie, an M.D. and resident Physician in the Hospital in New York - Bunnie has a position in Jay Cooke's Bank in Washington - Jemmie still at school and of good promise & very sprightly - and little George, the baby, rather delicate in health, about eight years old. Your aunt Ellen's health a good deal impaired; the children all well - Nannie at school, now & then only - 18 years old - Nellie, Birdie & Geo, regularly at school - & Philip Rollins, the youngest, a fine boy of four years & much fatter and spoiled, of course. I feel the compliment you pay me and am flattered by your asking for my likeness, which is cheerfully enclosed to you. It is the last I have, but cannot refuse to send it. Accept for your self & Johnnie the assurances of my constant & unchanged affection. My kind remembrance for your Grandma & all the other members of your dear mother's family. Your Grandpa,
B. Hooe

Subjects:

Correspondence

Names:

Hardin, Mark B. (Mark Bernard), 1838-1916
Hardin, Mark B. (Mark Bernard), 1838-1916

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