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39 III 18061860 Virginia, Henry A. Wise and His Family I N the young and growing new nation, these were years of increasing regional animosity engendered by one issue—slavery. Each admission of a new state, slave or free, was cause for hostile feelings that were only resolved through a compromise that would have to be re-visited when another territory wished to become a state. In 1849 it took sixty-three ballots to elect a Speaker of the House of Representatives, and at different times there were a variety of gag rules against abolitionist petitions to Congress. Abolitionists were very active: The American Anti-Slavery Society was formed in 1833; by 1836 there were over 500 abolitionist societies active in the north; the “Underground Rail- way” was established in 1838 to assist slaves fleeing to Canada, and northern states enacted Personal Liberty Laws to obstruct the Federal Fugitive Slave Act. Feelings in the south were equally strong: In 1835 a mob in Charleston, South Carolina, burned abolitionist literature impounded by the local postmaster; some of the southern states enacted laws prohibiting the distribution of abo- litionist literature, and in 1859 a convention in Vicksburg urged the repeal of all laws prohibiting the importation of slaves. In 1851 Charles Sumner, an out- spoken abolitionist, was elected Senator from Massachusetts. Five years later he was beaten unconscious by Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina in response to Sumner’s criticism of Brooks’ uncle. It took Sumner, now a mar- tyr in the North, three years to recover from the attack while at the same time Brooks was being praised in the South. However, there were also other things happening in America and around the world during these years. The Troy Female Seminary was opened in 1821 by Emma Willard in Troy, NewYork. In 1825 the Erie Canal was opened which greatly reduced the cost of transporting goods and materials between New York and the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. The following year Nat Turner led an unsuccessful slave revolt in Virginia and William Lloyd Garrison founded The Liberator, an abolitionist periodical urging the release of all slaves. In 1834 slavery was abolished in the British Empire and Cyrus McCormick patented his reaper, forever changing wheat farming in America and around the world. Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist was published in 1837. In 1839 Charles Darwin published the first summary of his 1832–1836 voyage on the HMS Beagle, and in 1857 he published the outline of his theory of evolution and natural selection. In 1839 Abner Doubleday laid out the first baseball diamond in Cooperstown, New York. It would be another twenty years before the first collegiate baseball game was played in Williamstown, Massachusetts, between Amherst College and Williams College. James Fenimore-Cooper published The Deerslayer in 1841. In 1844 Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in Nauvoo, Illinois, and Brigham Young

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Page 1: III 1806–1860 Virginia, Henry A. Wise and His Familythefamilyletters.com/images/Ch 3.pdf · states enacted Personal Liberty Laws to obstruct the Federal Fugitive Slave Act

39

III

1806–­1860

Virginia, Henry A. Wise and His Family

In the young and growing new nation, these were years of increasingregionalanimosityengenderedbyoneissue—slavery.Eachadmissionofanewstate,slaveorfree,wascauseforhostilefeelingsthatwereonlyresolved

throughacompromisethatwouldhavetobere-visitedwhenanotherterritorywishedtobecomeastate.In1849ittooksixty-threeballotstoelectaSpeakerof the House of Representatives, and at different times there were a varietyofgagrulesagainstabolitionistpetitionstoCongress.Abolitionistswereveryactive:TheAmericanAnti-SlaverySocietywasformedin1833;by1836therewereover500abolitionistsocietiesactiveinthenorth;the“UndergroundRail-way”wasestablishedin1838toassistslavesfleeingtoCanada,andnorthernstatesenactedPersonalLibertyLawstoobstructtheFederalFugitiveSlaveAct.Feelingsinthesouthwereequallystrong:In1835amobinCharleston,SouthCarolina, burned abolitionist literature impounded by the local postmaster;someofthesouthernstatesenactedlawsprohibitingthedistributionofabo-litionistliterature,andin1859aconventioninVicksburgurgedtherepealofalllawsprohibitingtheimportationofslaves.In1851CharlesSumner,anout-spokenabolitionist,waselectedSenatorfromMassachusetts.FiveyearslaterhewasbeatenunconsciousbyRepresentativePrestonBrooksofSouthCarolinainresponsetoSumner’scriticismofBrooks’uncle.IttookSumner,nowamar-tyrinthenorth,threeyearstorecoverfromtheattackwhileatthesametimeBrookswasbeingpraisedintheSouth. However, therewerealsoother thingshappening inAmericaandaroundtheworldduring theseyears.TheTroyFemaleSeminarywasopened in1821byEmmaWillardinTroy,newYork.In1825theErieCanalwasopenedwhichgreatlyreducedthecostoftransportinggoodsandmaterialsbetweennewYorkandtheOhioandMississippiRivervalleys.JosephSmithfoundedtheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-daySaintsin1830.ThefollowingyearnatTurnerledan unsuccessful slave revolt inVirginia andWilliam Lloyd Garrison foundedThe Liberator,anabolitionistperiodicalurgingthereleaseofallslaves.In1834slavery was abolished in the British Empire and Cyrus McCormick patentedhisreaper,foreverchangingwheatfarminginAmericaandaroundtheworld.CharlesDickens’Oliver Twistwaspublished in1837. In1839CharlesDarwinpublishedthefirstsummaryofhis1832–1836voyageontheHMS Beagle,andin1857hepublishedtheoutlineofhistheoryofevolutionandnaturalselection.In1839AbnerDoubledaylaidoutthefirstbaseballdiamondinCooperstown,newYork.ItwouldbeanothertwentyyearsbeforethefirstcollegiatebaseballgamewasplayedinWilliamstown,Massachusetts,betweenAmherstCollegeandWilliamsCollege.JamesFenimore-CooperpublishedThe Deerslayerin1841.In1844JosephSmithwaskilledbyamobinnauvoo,Illinois,andBrighamYoung

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40 THEFAMILYLETTERS

becameheadoftheMormonChurch.In1857amassmurderatMountainMead-ows,Utah,resultedinthedeathsof140non-Mormons.InthatsameyearsomeMormonsrebelledagainsttheappointmentofanon-Mormonastheterritorialgovernorandin1858U.S.Troopswereusedtorestoreorder.However,asarule,littleattentionwasbeingpaidtoMormonismbyanyoneinVirginiaduringtheseyears.AmericaagaingreatlyexpandeditsterritoryaftertheMexican-Americanwarof1846–1847.ThefightagainstslaverybecameapartofAmericanliteraturewhenin1851Uncle Tom’s CabinwasserializedinNational Era,ananti-slaveryperiodicalbasedinWashington,D.C.

Letters and writings by:WilliamH.Brown,Portrait Gallery—Distinguished American Citizens with

Biographical Sketches and Fac-Similes of Original LettersWilliamE.Cameron,aformerGovernorofVirginiaJohnCropperJamesP.Hambleton,A Biographical Sketch of Henry A. WiseWilliamPrime,excerptsfromhisbook,Boat Life on the Nile BartonHaxallWise,agrandsonofHenryA.Wise,excerptsfromhis

biographyofhisgrandfatherHenryA.WiseThechildrenofHenryA.Wise: MaryElizabethWise,theoldestdaughterbyhisfirstwife,marriedtoDr.

AlexanderY.PGarnett. ObadiahJenningsWise,theoldestsonbyhisfirstwife. AnnieJenningsWise,adaughterbyhisfirstwife,marriedtoFrederick

PlumerHobson. JohnSergeantWise,asonbyhissecondwife,excerptsfromThe End of An Era.AnnElizabethWise,HenryA.Wise’sfirstwifeandadaughterofObadiah

JenningsMaryLyonsWise,HenryA.Wise’sthirdwife.

Letters written from:Twifordville,Accomack,Onancock,Williamsburg,Rich-mond,Lynchburg,andEastwood,GoochlandCounty,Virginia;Bloomington,Indiana;Washington,D.C.;andBerlin,Germany.

uWhilenolettersorotherdocumentssurviveaboutHenryA.Wise’searlyyears,therearesomeimportantfactsthatshouldbesummarized: •1806,HenryA.WisebornDecember3rdinAccomac,Virginia. •1812,Wise’sfather,JohnWise5th,died.ThebelowletterfromJohn

Croppertohisdaughterstellsofthisdeath:

Drummondtown,Virginia,2dApril1812Mydearchildren,AnnandEliza—IhavetocommunicatethemelancholynewsofthedeathofMajorJohnWise.Hedepartedthislifethe28thultimoateleveno’clockintheforenoon.MajorWisehadbeendecliningeversincelastsummer,buthissituationwasflattering,andhisfriendshopedhewouldrecoveruntilaboutthemiddleoflastmonth,whenhedeclinedmorerapid,anddeathputaperiodtohisafflictionatthetimeIhavementioned,leav-

Grave of Major John Wise, born about 1765, died March 30, 1812, Wise family burial ground near Chesconessex Creek, Onancock, Virginia.

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III 1806–1860pVirginia,HenryA.Wise,andhisFamily 41

ingbehindhimawidowandsixchildren,allofthemtobeartheseverelossofanaffectionatehusband,tenderparent,andvaluableprotector.Letusnotmoan,butremembertoimitatehistalentsandcopyhisvirtues.IintendtogotoPhiladelphiathelastofthismonthpreparedtobringyoubothhome,Anntoremainathome,butElizatoreturntoschoolinthefall.Ireceivedaletterfromeachofyou,bythelastmail,writtenonthesamesheetofpaper,whichwasverysatisfactory.Elizaimprovesnow,andAnnlosesinhandwrit-ing,owingtohurryandheedlessness.YouraffectionateFatherJno. Cropper, Jr.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety,typedcopyofletter.)

l HenryAlexanderWise—Aselfdescriptionofhisboyhood:

“Hewasapaleandpunyboyinbody,oflargeeyesandmouthandugly,andsooddandoldishhewouldn’tmakewiththechildren,butsoughttheoldfolksandlearnedtheirsaying,andwasfondofsweetheartsolderthanhimself,andspenthispocketmoneyforredribbonsandclimbedafternutsandfruitfortheirfavors.Hedelightedinoldstories,lovedcuriousthings;caughtupquaintsayings,madesomethingormuchofwhatoth-ersthrewawayasnothing;wascalledbyhardnicknames,butespeciallybythenameofPrinceHal,becauseofahigh-strungnervoustemperament;and,fondledbyblacknurses,hewaswillfulinhishumorsandsharpandquickandimperiousinhistemper;helovedfunandwasfondofsport,precociousinmischief,toughandwiryinhistis-sues,anactive,daringbadboywhocouldlearnwhateverhetried,butwouldn’tlearnwhathedidn’tlove,andcouldfighthardorrunfast.Therewasastrangeadmixtureofhardyrecklessnessandextremecautioninhisnature;hewasagreatmimicandgamemaker,oftenoffendedbyhisbroadhumor,butwasfrankandgenial,andsowarminhisaffections,andgenerousinhisdisposition,thathewasgenerallypopular,thoughhecouldwhenhetriedmakesomehatehimwithabitterhate.” —BartonHaxallWise,The Life of Henry A. Wise of Virginia.

•1813,Wise’smother,SarahCorbinCropperWise,died.WisethenwenttoliveatBowman’sFollyneartheAtlanticOcean,thehomeofhismaternalgrandfather,GeneralJohnCropper.

•1814–1815,WisewenttolivewithtwoauntsnearChesconnessexCreekontheChesapeakeBaysideofAccomac.

•Atageeight,WiseattendsMargaretAcademynearAccomac. •1822,beforehewassixteen,WisegoestoWashingtonCollege,(now

WashingtonandJeffersonCollegeinWashington,Pennsylvania),whereDr.AndrewWyliewasthePresident.

•1823,WisemeetsAnneElizabethJennings,thedaughteroftheReverendObadiahJennings,pastorofthePresbyterianChurchinWashington,Pennsylvania.

•1825,WisegraduatesandcommencesthestudyoflawwithJudgeHenrySt.GeorgeTucker.

•1827,WiseemancipatesElizabethGreyandhertwochildren,MaryJaneandWilliamHenry.InlateryearsWilliamHenryGrey,ayoungmulattoboy,accompaniedWiseintotheHouseofRepresentatives.

•August1828,WiseleavesVirginiafornashville,TennesseewhereAnneElizabethJenningswasthenlivingwithherparents.Anne’sfather,Oba-diahJennings,wasaclosefriendofAndrewJacksonandtheweddingpartyvisitedJackson’shome,TheHermitage,afterthewedding.

Henry Alexander Wise, photo by Rockwood, Holland Building, 1440 Broadway (40th Street), New York.

Grave of Sara Corbin Cropper Wise, 1777–1813, wife of John Wise 5th, 1765–1812, Wise family burial ground near Chesconessex Creek, Onancock, Virginia.

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l Thefirstmarriage—Wise’s love forAnneJennings, theirmarriage,andthereturntoVirginiahavebeendescribedasfollows:

Hebecameenamoredofthisladywhilstatcollege,andneverresteduntilthemarriageriteswerecelebrated,onthe8thdayofOctober1828,inthecityofnashville,Tennes-see,whereherfatherhadbeencalledaspastorofthePresbyteriancongregationofthatplace. Mr.Wise had made his arrangements previously to leavingVirginia to settleinnashville,whichhedid…Butstillhesighedforthe‘milkoftheocean,’his‘own’nativeVirginia.Togratifyhiswife,hemadeeveryeffort tobesatisfied innashville.Butdespiteallthathecoulddo,hewasunhappyoutsidehisnativeState…Finallytogratifythiswishofhisheart,hedetermined,withtheconsentofhiswife,toreturntoAccomack:whichhedidinthefallof1830.Whenhereturnedhome,thescenesofhisboyhoodexhilaratedandenlivenedafeebleframewhichhadalmostfallenapreytomelancholy.” —JamesP.Hambleton,A Biographical Sketch of Henry A. Wise.

HenryA.WisewaselectedtoCongressinApril1833.

“A reporter, in an article entitled Glances at Congress, thus describes his [Henry A.Wise’s]personalappearanceandmannerofspeaking:“Heispaleandthin,aboutthirtyyears of age, perhaps not so much. He dresses like an old man, though his generalappearanceisveryyouthful.Heisveryslovenlyinhisapparel,hiscoathanginglikeamiller’sbagonhisshoulders…Hisforeheadisprojectingandmassive,andhismouthlarge,butfirmlyset.Withoutbeinghandsome,hisfacehasageneralpleasingcharac-ter…Toseehimsaunteringaboutthehall,withhislongIndianstrides,youwouldat

Margaret Academy, Cheriton vicinity, Accomack County, Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly granted a charter to establish this school in 1786, but it was not built until 1806, opening in 1807. John Cropper was one of the founders and benefactors of the school, and it was named after his first wife, Margaret Pettit Cropper. The school was described as “a high-grade classical school, at which many of the leading men of the Eastern Shore have been educated.” The school building was destroyed in the late 19th century. Photograph from VirginiaHomesandChurches by Robert Lancaster, Jr.

OnMay3,1811,JohnCropperwrotethefollowingletterinsearchofanewteacher:Dear Sir— …I indulge myself in the pleasure of writing to you, and enquiring after the health and welfare of yourself, Mrs. Jones, and your children—and also to ask of you your opinion, whether a teacher could be employed in New York for the Margaret academy in Accomack. A single man well rec-ommended for capacity and moral character is required, and if such a one could be employed he might expect a liberal salary. The trustees have about the last of March Mr. David Comfort the principal left the academy on account of a spell of sickness which he had and an apprehension that he might have his health in the future… Please answer this letter by Mr. Snead, or by mail to Drummond Town, Virginia. Your respectful servant, Jno. Cropper Jr.”(Letter,JohnCroppertoRever-endCaveJones,VirginiaHistori-calSociety.)

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III 1806–1860pVirginia,HenryA.Wise,andhisFamily 43

oncebetemptedtoaskwhohewas;tohearhimspeakyourattentionwouldberiv-eteduponhim.Younolongerseetheloosegarmentontheungainlyfigure,theoutréneckerchiefvanishes,andyoureyesarefixedontheexcitedandearnestorator.Allhisprominentcharacteristicsarebroughtoutwithgreatrapidity—firmness,impetuosity,adisdainforhoneyedwords,fiercesarcasmandinvective,allgatherintoahurricaneandstartlethedrowsymembersfromtheloungesandwakeupthosevictimsofdullhours,thereporters…Mr.Wisemaynotalwayssayanythingremarkableorstriking,butthereisanintensityabouthismannerthatfastensontheattentionandclutchesituntilhehasfinished.Heisremarkablyquickinarrivingatconclusions,andgenerally,too,inawaythatwouldnothavebeenstruckuponbyanyoneelse.Heisveryinde-pendentinhisdisposition,fearless,and,touseacommonexpression,aboveboard…Hehasundoubtedlyveryhightalents,andIhaveheardhim,uponmorethanoneocca-sion,soarintotheregionsofcommandingeloquence.Hisforteliesininvective;thenhebecomes,tothosewhosepartysympathiesfollowhisownexcitedtrainoffeeling,thrilling;hispaleandexcitedface,hisfirmandcompactheadthrownback,hissmallbonyhandclenchedintheair,orwiththeforefingerquiveringthere,hiseyesbrilliantandfixed,hisvoicehighyetsonorous,impressapicturetoovividtobeeasilyerasedfromthemind.Astranger,afewdaysago,ofhisownparty,oncomingintothehallforthefirsttime,atsuchamoment,comparedhisappearancetothatofacorpsegalva-nized!Mr.Wise,asiswellknown,isaprominentmemberoftheopposition.Hecannotberankedasaleader;certainitis,however,heisnotled.Heismuchbelovedbythosewhoknowhiminprivatelife,beingjovial,free-hearted,andfullofhilarity.’” —BartonHaxallWise,The Life of Henry A. Wise of Virginia.

1834–1837

l LetterstoHenryA.WiseinCongress:

December14,[1834],Twifordville.MydearHusband— Ireceivedyourwelcomeletterinformingmeofyoursafearrival…Fridaymorningbeforeday,GeorgewiththeassistanceofMr.Gillet’smenkilledthehogs;andafterdinnerIattendedtotheweighingofthem.Thelargestweighed289pounds,theother255.OldLydiaseemedmuchpleased,withtheresultoftheirweight,saidshehadearnedherdress,asyouhadpromisedittoher,ifshemadethemweigh5hundred…IntheeveningasIpromisedtogo,thoughitwasreallyinconvenientformetodoso,ItookallthechildrenandwenttoMargaret’stomeetMrs.Custis.Wegottherealittlebeforedark.Mrs.Custisdidnotarrive,untilanhourafterwards.Wesatupuntiltwelvetalking.IlearntallthenewsofWashingtonfromMr.McMaster’s.YouwillhearitallfromMr.McHennanIexpect,thereforeIwillnotrepeatit,lestitwillbeThomson’snews…SaturdaymorningIleft,thoughitwasraining,asthehogsdemandedmyattentionathome.IleftMaryandObyhowever;theywerebothverygladthattheraincame,andprolongedtheirvisittoDeepCreek…IhadmyfatfriedupandmysausagesmadeSaturday.Igotahalfabushelofleaflardfromthehogs.Intheafternoon,IsentGeorgetoOnancock,asIheardCaptainHopkinshadcome.Hebroughtmeabarreloffinepippinapples,andaboxofCandles…SaturdaynightMr.Gillett’smencameandsaltedmymeatawayforme.ItoldTullytopurchaseathousandweightmoreforus.HesenttoBaltimoreforhisownandourwinterstores…Yesterdayasthemorningwas

Governor Henry Alexander Wise, about 1828–1830, artist uncertain. One source attributes this portrait to John Gadsby Chapman, one of Wise’s close personal friends and a frequent visitor to the Wise home in Accomac, Virginia. Collection of the Executive Mansion, courtesy of The Library of Virginia.

Ann Elizabeth Jennings Wise, 1808–1837, wife of Henry A. Wise. Photograph courtesy of the Vir-ginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.

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unfavourableIdidnotgotomeeting.CharlottetookthegigandwenttoDeepCreekforthechildren.Ispentthemorningreading…IneednottellyouthatIverymuchdesiretoseeyouandthatitwillbeafortnighttomorrowsinceyouleftus.Farewel[sic]mydearhusbandmayeveryblessingattend.Yourwife,Ann E. Wise. (VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

January8,1835.MydearHusband— Twolettersfromyou,havebeendulyreceived(andIthinkImayadddulyappreciated)bymesinceIlastwroteyou;andtheycertainlydeserve,alongletterinreturn.Butourlifehereissosecluded,sobarrenofincident,thatIfearIwillnotbeabletofillasheettoyoutoday.Wehavenotseenanyone,sinceIlastwrote,exceptTully,whoyesterdaypeepedatus,forafewminutes.Hecametobringsomebeef,andwasobligedtorideonhorseback,astheroadsareimpassableinagig…Thechildrenareallwell,andoftentalkofyou&askmetoreadthem,whatyouwrite.MarysaysImusttellyou,“shecancountahundred,andcanmostread,intheBible,andthosebooksyousent,withtheprettypicturesinthem.Thatshehascom-mencedlearningthemultiplicationtable,andwantstoknowitall,tosaytoyouwhenyoucomehome.”Imustadd,thatshefindsmultiplicationavexa-tion,astheoldrhymesays,andwishedtheotherday“thatthepeoplewouldnotmakebookswithitinthem.”…Obysays“tellpapa;Iamagoodboy,andthatIputonmytrousersmyselfthismorning.”…Donotmydearhusband,thinkofme,asbeingconstantlyunhappy,&discontented,inyourabsence.Ihaveagreat dealthiswinter,tobeguiletimeofitsweariness,andalleviatethepainofseparationfromyou,inthepresence&societyofmydear Mother&sisters.Weareallwell,andIthinkashappy,aswecanorshouldbe,separatedfromsomeofthose,weloveaswell,ifnot“bestofany.”…Iwillnotapologizeto youformannerormatter,asyouwellknow,Iamnotgifted,inepistolarywriting,andIwellknowthatformewritewhatIwill,itwillbeaccept-abletoyoubecauseIwroteit…Believemetobeyouraffectionatedevotedwife. —Ann E. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

January16,1835.MydearHenry— Youhavespoiltmewritingtwolettersaweek;howmuchwasIdisappointed,onSundaylast,whentheservantreturnedwithonlyabundleofpapers…Idonotliketohearofthatheartburnyoumen-tion.Ihaveheardmydear fathersay,thatthatitwasthelowestgradeofthedyspepsia.Sodohaveacareofit,ifitcontinuestotroubleyou,becarefulofyourdietuntilridofit…Weallcontinueaswellasusual.Myownhealthstillgraduallyimproving.Iwillattendtoyourdirectionsabouttakingexercise&c.Margaret&Tullyspentyesterdaywithus.Theyhadconsiderabledifficultyingettinghere,theroadsaresodreadful…Ineedscarcelytellyou,thatIdidnotgetmypenmendedtowriteyou,asIintended.Itisalmostwornoutintheservice.IwilltryandhaveanewonewhenIwritenext…Goodnightmydearhusbandandbelievemeaseveryouraffectionatewife. —A. E. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

January24,1835.MydearHusband— Itisabrightbeautifulmorninghere,almostasmildasspring.MuchwouldIlike,totransportmyselftoWashington,andclimb

“Henry A. Wise, Representative from Virginia,” early political poster. Courtesy of the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.

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Capitolhillwithyoutoday.ButifIhadAladdin’slampwiththepermissionofonlyrubbingitonceandwishing,Iwouldpreferbringingyouheretoseethechildrenandall,unlessperchanceIknewyouweretooccupythefloorofthehouseto-day…TodayIhavedonevariouslittlethingsaboutthehouse,havebeenoftenenoughtothekitchentoaffordmesomeexercise;andhavewrittenyouthisdullaccountofhowIhavespentmytimesinceIwroteyou.ItwasnotquitetwelvewhenIcommencedwritingbutisnowalmostseveno’clock,asIhavemetwithmanylittleinterruptions,andyouknowIdonotholdthepen,ofaveryreadywriter…IwantyoumydearHusbandtothinkofme,not“asstrivingtobecontentedandhappy”butasbeingmostgener-allyquiteasmuchsoasyouwouldwish,duringyourabsence.Ikeepmyselffullyoccupied,anddonotsitdowntobroodovertrouble,asyoufear.Donotagainrefertoanytroubleyougivemewhenyouarehere,foritisbuttrifling,andwouldnotbehalfwhatitis,ifitwerenotformymorbidfeelingsandwantofattentiontotrifles.Idoknowthatyoulovemeasyourlife,thatyoulovemewithanaffectionequaltomineforyou,andmoreIcouldnotwishfor.Ihaveperfectconfidenceinyourunalienableaffection.Ihaveputbymostcarefullyyourtwopumpin[sic]seeds,andwillhavethemnarrowlywatchedandparticularlytakencareof,whenthetimecomesforplantingthem.BeforeIopenedyourletterIfeltthemandthoughtitwasmoney,andwhenIopenedittheyweredoneupsomuchlikemedicinethatImighthavesupposedittobealovepowder,ifIhavehadtheleastidea,thatyouthoughtIneededonefromyou.Thechildrenareallwell… Youraffectionatewife,—Ann E. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

February2,1835.MydearHusband— …MotherhasbeenquitesickwiththeinfluenzasinceIwroteyoubutisnowgettingbetter.Thechildrenareallwellandallfastasleep.YouneednotfearthatObywantsforexercise.Hehasgrownwonderfullysinceyoulefthome&hasbecomeamostincessanttalkerandmasterofmischief.IdonotthinkIeverknewasmischievousachild;itreallydistressesmetoseehimdelightinitsomuch… —Ann E. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

February13,1835.MydearHusband— IwroteyouahastylinelastmailanddidnotintendtowriteagainuntilnextMonday,butyouexpresssomuchanxietyatnothav-ingreceivedaletterfromme,thatIwritethismaillestmytwolastmaynotreachyou…Iamwritinginthemidstofthenoiseofthechildren.Motherisengagedwriting;theyarealldismissedintomyroomandIhavehadsev-eraltimestolaydownmypentotrytocommandquietandtapObyforhismischief,pullingthegirlshair&c.Weareallaswellasusual…YoumusthavebeenindeedsurprisedbyUncleJamesWilson’svisit.IdonotthinkthatIevergaveyouanaccountofhim.IfIhavenotIwilldosoonyourreturn.Motherandallhisrelativesthoughthimdeadforanumberofyearsuntilaboutayearsince.IwouldwritemorethoughIdonotknowthatIhaveanythingtowritethatwouldinterestyoubutitisjustdarkandIwanttosendmyletterbeforeyourgoodUncleretiresforthenight…Thechildrensay“tellpapahemustcomehomewewanttoseehimso bad.” …Everyours,Ann E. Wise.(Vir-giniaHistoricalSociety)

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December26,1835.Apleasant,(ifnotamerry)Christmastoyou,mydearhusband.Isupposethatyouandtheotherpublicservantshavenowafewdaysrespitefromattendingthehouse.Wouldyoucouldemploytheminpayingusavisit.ButthisIknowcannotbe;asthebroadChesapeakerollsbetweenus,andnosteamboatwaitstoconveyyouheredespitewindorweather…YouwanttoknowhowHenrycomeson;heisveryfatandbecomesmorelivelyandinterestingeveryday.Theotherchildrenarewell,exceptslightcolds…Myownhealthisverydelicate.ItrytotakeallthecareIcanofit.IthinkIammuchthinnerthanwhen[you]lefthome.IfeelbetterthiseveninghoweverthanIhavedoneforseveraldayspast…Yourbooks&papersareallsafelymovedhere.IbelieveIhavenothingmoretowriteatpresent;unlessitbetotellyouwhatyouverywellknow,thatIamveryanxioustoseeyou,andoftenfeelimpatientatyourlongabsence,andoftenorstillanticipateyourgladreturn.Letmeknowwhenyouwritenexthowmanysermonsyouhaveheard.WhoisMr.SmiththatIseeiselectedChap-laintothelowerhouse?IshenotaPresbyterianministeranddoeshepreachwell?Goodnightmydearhusband,andbelievemetobeeveryouraffectionatewife. —Ann E. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

December28,1835.MydearHusband— YesterdayIreceivedyourvery shortletterofthe22dinst.ThoughIammuchobligedtoyouforit,shortasitis,foritassuresmeofyourgoodhealthandconstantremembranceofme;yetIcouldnotbutfeeldisappointedatitsbrevity…WehaveallbeenblessedwithhealthsinceIwroteyouthisdayweekago…Johncalledthismorningandgavemeyourlettertoread,andthethirtydollarsyousent.Yousayinityouhavehadconstantcolds.Whereasyouhavereportedyourselfconstantlywell,exceptforonedayandnighttome.DonotmydearHenryeverattempttodeceivemerespectingyourhealth,orIshallfeelconstantlyuneasy…Thechildrensendlovetoyou:DotakecareofyourhealthanddonotgotobedwithcoldfeetIbegofyou…FarewelmydearHusbandandbelievemetobeaseveryouraffectionatewife.—Ann E. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

January4,1836.MydearHenry— YesterdayIreceivedyourwellfilledsheetofthe26th,andyourletterofthe29th.Ihavereadthemalready,ahalfdozentimes…Thursdaywasmybirthday.Icompletedthatdaymy27thyear.TohowlittlepurposehaveIspentmylife.Ihopetheyearswhichareyettocometome,betheirnumbermanyorfew,willbespentmoreprofitablytomyselfandothers…Ishallcountthehoursalmostthemoments,untilthearrivaloftheWednesdaymail;asIexpectnotonlyaletterfromyou,butyourspeechwhichyousaidinyourlastyoushouldbeengagedwritingoffforthepress…Goodnightmydeardearhusbandandbelievemetobeaseveryourdevotedwife. —Ann E. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

l Misfortuneandtragedy,1837:

Duringthespringof1837,beforeMr.WisereachedhomefromWashington,hisdwelling-housewithnearlyallofhisvaluablebooksandpaperswereconsumedbyfire.Hisfamilywereremovedtoafriend’shouseinthevillageofDrummondtown,andthathouse,ina

Grave of Ann Jennings Wise, 1808–1837, near Chesconessex Creek, Accomack, Virginia, before being moved in 1928 to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Photograph part of the Doran S. Callahan Photograph Collection, 1890–1900 housed in the Eastern Shore of Virginia Room at the Eastern Shore Public Library. Photo courtesy of the Library of Virginia and reprinted with permission of the Eastern Shore Public Library.

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verymysteriousmanner,wassetonfirealso.Thissoaffectedthenervoussystemofhiswife,thatsheneverrecoveredfromit,anddiedinthemonthofJune[May4]following.Shewasthemotherofsevenchildren,butleftonlyfourliving.MaryElizabeth…Oba-diahJennings(theeldestson)…HenryAlexanderWise,Jr…andAnnJenningsWise,theseconddaughter…whowasaninfantatthedeathofhermother… —JamesP.Hambleton,A Biographical Sketch of Henry A. Wise.

AccomackC.H.E.S.Va.Oct.27th,1837.MydearMadam— OftenhaveIundertakentothankyou,affection-atelyandgratefully,forthekindletterofcondolencewhichyourgoodheartpromptedyoutowritetomelastsummer.Oh!MydearMadam,youknownothowmisfortunestunnedeveryfacultyandalltheenergyofmyweakspirit.Ihavenotbeenandnevershallbethesamemanyouonceknew.AgainandagaindidItryhardtorousemyself,butwillyoubelievemethatIwrotenoteventoBaliePeytonalineuntillatelastmonth?JudgeWhite’sletterwasarecipe,yoursabalm…Ihaveupliftedapile,amonstrousweightofbusi-nesssincehedirectedmetobusymyselfintheactivedutiesoflife,torestoremywoundedbalanceofmindandspirit.Godknowscarehasbeenheapeduponme—relationafterrelation,near&dear,hasdied,oneinquicksuc-cessionafteranotherandtheirestateshavefallenonmetosettle.Myownaffairshavelongbeenneglected…WhenIgottoBalt.[Baltimore]someclientstoppedme“intransition”asthelawyerssay,&carriedmeonbusinesstoHamptonsothatIwasdelayedinreachingmy childrenuntilMondaylast.Iwritebythefirstmail—oursarebi-weeklyonly.Ifoundmybabesallwellbutone.Myyoungestboy[HenryAlexanderWise]isyetpalewithashortbutsevereattackofbiliousfever.WhenthenewsreachedmehewassickIwassurehewoulddie—thefortuneoftheyearhassorunwithme.ThankGodthateveryoneofherchildrenareyetsparedtome!…Icannotwritealetternowtoafriendwithoutsickeningwithgrief…MysisterwasinWashingtonamoment,and,thoughaplainVirginiahouse-wife,Iwantedyoutoseethatshewasso.Herdomestichabitsareallinalltomenow.Sheisverymuchattachedtomychildrenandmyyoungest—thebabe,littleAnnE.,isnowahealthy,fat,finechild.SheisnursedbyAnn’sfavoriteservantandthriveslikeapigonfatmeatandmilk.Iam,atthismoment,engagedinwritingoutaninterminablespeechwhichImadeat12o’clockatnightonthe14thinst.Youmustthereforeexcusetheincoherenceofthisepistle&takeit,asitwasintended,amereapologyformylongapparentneglect.Ihopetomeetyouat Philippinextmonth.Inthemeantimebelievemetodesireyouallthehealth&happinessyoucanenjoywiththeJudge,whoIhopearrivedathomesafe&ingoodhealth. YoursTruly,Henry A. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

l Intheyearsthatfollowed,someofthemostinterestingcorrespondenceisfromObadiahJenningsWise,HenryA.Wise’soldestson:

HenryA.WiseM.C.WashingtonCity,D.C.Philadelphia,February27.MydearFather— Iwishtoseeyouverymuch,praycomeandseeusaswecannotgotoseeyoubutweexpectyousoon.Wearebusyattendingtoourstudies.Iamlearninggeography,arithmetic,readingwritinganddefini-tions.SisterandIhavejusttraveledthroughthemapofAsia.Givemyloveto

My dear Madam HenryA.Wiseiswriting toMrs.AnnWhiteofKnoxville inresponsetoher let-terofcondolenceafterthedeathofhiswife.

Balie Peyton 1803–1878,aCon-gressman from Tennessee from1833–1837andMinistertoChile,1849–1853.

bilious fever Sometimesmis-spelled billious byoneuncle, atermusedtogenerallydescribedigestivedisorderswithany,orperhapsall,ofthefollowingsymptoms–jaundice,constipa-tion,headache,vertigo,anorexia,anddiarrhea.

Ann E. Knownthroughoutherlifeas“Annie,”thedaughterhadbeenchristened“AnnJenningsWise.”Herfather’sreferenceto“Ann E.”suggeststhepos-siblederivationof“Annie.”Hermother,AnnElizabethWiseafterwhomshehadbeennamed,haddiedthreedaysafterherbirth.Theuseofthename“AnnE.”,subsequentlyspelled“Annie”andwithanemphasisonthepronunciationofthe“E,”wouldbecomealifelongmemorialtoaMotherwhomsheneverknew.Haditbeenspelled“Anne,”the“e”wouldhavebeensilent.HergravestonereadsAnnie.

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allenquiringfriends,particularlyGeorgeandMrs.White.DearFatherpleaseexcusethisbadwritingforitismyfirstattemptatletterwritingmydearFather,youraffectionateson,O. J. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

HenryA.Wise,Drummondtown,AccomackCounty,VirginiaPhiladelphia(notdated)DearFather— Ihavedelayedtoolongreplyingtoyourkindandexcel-lentanddearletter—butmydearfatherthatitwaswantoflovefromhisownlovingboy,wholoveshimbetterhimthatalltheworldbeside—ButtheweatherhasbeensofineandwhenschoolwasoutIwassofullofplaythatIknewthatyouwillexcuseme.IamgladdearfatherthattheverybookthatIstudyatschoolistheonethatyourecommended.TellcousinGeorgethathemustnotbelonginansweringmyletter.Iamverymuchpleasedwithmyschool.IamlearningOrthography,reading,writing,Arithme-tic,grammer[sic],geographyhistoryandphilosophy.TheMissSergeantsinvitedustospendtheeveningandMrs.Sergeantsentherlovetoyou.Weareallwellandjoinmeinlovetoyoudearfather.UncleTully,AuntMar-garettaUncleJohnandAuntAnn,AuntBetsey,AuntHarrietandallmycousins.Writesoondearfathertoyouraffectionateson.O. J. Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)HenryA.WiseM.C.WashingtonCity,D.C.Philadelphia.December9,1839.DearFather— AndareyoureallyatWashington.Ihopeyouwillbeabletocomeandseeusforwewanttoseeyouverymuchindeed.Grandmasaysitisherhumbleopinionindeedthatyououghttocomeandseeyourchildren.WeareallwellexceptHenrywhohasgotthejaundiceandmyteachersaysthatwewillgoinnaturalHistory.IhavebeencommittingthesongofEnglishHistorywhichtellsmeallaboutallthekingsthateverreignedinEnglandwhichIhopeIshallsoonhavethepleasureofrepeatingtoyou.OnedaywhenGrandmawassingingtolittleAnneshesaidGrandmasingaboutmypapaandeverytimeshegetsupfromsayingherprayersshesaysGrandmaIlovepapa.Weallsendlove.O. Jennings Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

l 1840–1853:ThesecondmarriageandMinistertoBrazil.

In november 1840 HenryWise married Sarah Sergeant of Philadelphia. HecontinuedtoserveinCongressuntilaftertheelectionof1843.

“OnMr.Wise’sreturntoCongressitwasdiscoveredthathisphysicalhealthwasgivingawayrapidlyfromtheconstantexcitementofabouttenyears.ConsequentlyhisfriendssenthisnameagaintotheSenatefortheCourtofRioJaneiro…Onthe8thdayofFebruary1844,heresignedhisseatinCongress,andsailedfromnewYorkforRiointhemonthofMayfollowinghisresignation.” —JamesP.Hambleton,A Biographical Sketch of Henry A. Wise.

OthersweretakingnoteofHenryWiseandthefollowingappearedin1845:“Inperson,heisnearlysixfeettall,extremelythin,andhasnotenjoyedaverygreatshareofgoodhealth.Hisfeaturesarestronglymarkedandexpressive;hismouthlarge

his friends WisewasappointedtothepostinBrazilbyPresidentJohnTyler,oneofhis closeper-sonalfriends.WiseandhisfamilysailedtoBrazilaboardthefrigateConstitution.

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butfirmlyset;hishairislightandcarelesslyworn;hisforeheadhighandprominent,denotingstrongintellectualpowers;hiseyesaredarkandpiercing,andhiscomplexionpaleandcolorless,andrenderedstillmorepallidbyhiscravat,whichisalwayswhite. Indebate,Mr.Wiseisparticularlyhappy;hismannerisanimated,andheeasilybecomesexcitedbyhissubject…Asaspeaker,heispleasing,andalwayscommandsthefullestattentionfromhisauditors.Hispeculiarforteisinsarcasmandinvective,andonoccasionswhenheiscompelledtoresorttotheexerciseoftheseweapons,heisexceedinglysevereandsometimeswithering. Mr.Wisemaynowbesaidtooccupyasituationseldomattainedbypublicmenofourday.Hemaynowbestatedtobelongtonoparty,andtobeindependentofany.Hisconstituentsareofallparties,andamongthemheisuncommonlypopular… Hissocialandfamiliarhabits,hiseasyandaffablemanners,renderhimatalltimesanagreeablecompanion,andthesinceritywhichcharacterizeshimonalloccasionsadaptshimparticularlyasacompanionandfriend.Itmustbeevidenttoeveryobserv-ingmind,thatMr.Wisepossessestalentsofthefirstorder,andwhentheexperienceofafewyearsinpubliclifeisaddedtotheinformationhenowpossesses,hepromisestorankhighamongstthemosttalentedanddistinguishedmenofourcountry.”

—WilliamH.Brown, Portrait Gallery—Distinguished American Citizens with Biographical Sketches and Fac-Similes of Original Letters.

In1847WisereturnedtoVirginiafromBrazilandin1850hewaselectedtotheStateConventionthatrevisedtheVirginiaConstitution.Duringthatconven-tionhereceivedthenewsofthedeathofhissecondwife,themotherofsevenchildren,onlyfourofwhomsurvivedtheirmotherandoneofthemdiedlaterininfancy.

l TheVirginiaConstitutionalConvention,Richmond,August1850:

“Awriterofthetime,intheSouthern Literary Messenger,indescribingthemembersoftheconvention,thusspeaksofhim[HenryA.Wise]:—‘InappearancehewasoneofthemostremarkablelookingmenintheAssembly,andwouldattractattentionwher-everseen.Hisfaceseemedfullofcavities,—hollowcheeks, large,holloweye-sock-ets,andthemostcavernousmouth;whenhespoke,theeyebrowseemedthrownuptowardthetopofhishead,andhismouthimmenselyopened,likeagateonitshinges,sothatheappearedtobealleyesandallmouth—twoverygoodfeaturesinanorator.Hisfaceisfullofflexibilityand,bytheeasyplayofitsmuscles,expresseseveryemo-tionandpassionofthemind.Infact,thewholefacespeaksineverymuscleandfibreofit.Whenatrest,hisrelaxedfeatures,tall,loose-jointedfigure,andslight,spareformgivenopromiseofphysicalpower;yetthelengthandfrequencyofhisspeechandhisearnest,violentgesticulationshowthathepossessesgreatpowerofendurance.Fromout this cavernous mouth flow streams of eloquence; these hollow eye-sockets arefilledupwiththeblazeoftheeye;andtheveryflexibilityofhisfeaturesaddsforceandemphasistohiswords.Hishazeleye,evenwhenquiet,hasadaringoutlookthatwell expresses the characterof theman; and inhis excitedmoments itblazedandburnedinthefireofhisownvehemence,asifitwouldconsumealloppositionandintimidateallresistance.Hisactionisalwaysabundantandisofthemostvehementandexcitedcharacter.Totallydevoidofgrace,whichhisloose,angularfigureforbids,ityetpossessesmuchpowerandeccentricforce;hisuseofthelongforefingerremindsusofRandolph,and,likehim,heexcelsindenunciation.Hisvoiceisthemostperfectandbeautifulfeaturethat,asanorator,hepossesses;itisatoncepowerfulandsweet,

Henry A. Wise PortraitGallery—DistinguishedAmericanCiti-zenswithBiographicalSketches and Fac-SimilesofOriginalLettersby William H. Brown, Hartford, Connecticut, 1845 (Reis-sued 1931).

John Tyler PortraitGallery—DistinguishedAmericanCitizenswithBiographicalSketches and Fac-SimilesofOriginalLetters by William H. Brown, Hartford, Con-necticut, 1845 (Reissued 1931).

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asflexibleasthemusclesandfeaturesofhisface,andasperfectlyundercontrol; ithascompass,variety,depth,andclearness,and,besidesthis,ithasthatpeculiarityofsoundoraccentwhichconstitutesthewinningspelloftheoratorandwhichsoeffec-tuallycharmsanaudience…Mr.Wisespokeoneveryquestionthatcameup,and,infact,scarcelyadaypassedthathedidnothavesomethingtosay.HisgreatestspeechwasmadeupontheBasisQuestion,towardthecloseofthedebateuponthatsubject,hewasfivedaysindeliveringit…Theeffectofhisspeechwassostrikinglyevident;andifthetruetestofanoratorisinhispowertoconvinceamixedaudienceofthetruthofhisownopinionsandtocarrywithhimtheirattentionandtheirsympathies,thenHenryA.WiseisoneofthemosteloquentmeninVirginia.’ ” —BartonHaxallWise,The Life of Henry A. Wise of Virginia.

l LettersfromtwoofHenryWise’schildren,MaryElizabethandObadiah,describethefamilybetween1848and1853:

August5,1848 …IfFather[HenryA.Wise]leavesAccomac,IhopehewillnotleaveHenry[HenryA.WiseJr.]therebyhimselfsolong;itwoulddohimagreatdealofharm.HeisaverygoodboyifhehasFathertokeephiminorder,butheoughtnottobetherewithoutanyonetocommandhim.Astohisgoingtocollegenextfall,itwouldbetheruinofhim;hemustbekeptathomeawhilelongertillhelearnstobemoreofamansofarasstudyingandbehavingwithoutbeingforcedtoit.Anniehasimprovedwithregardtohertemperandbehavior;altogetherRichardisthesamesoberold-mannishchild,butheismorehealthyandplaysmore.nénéisaswildaseverandjustasmuchofapetwithFather.Johnnieistoosweettodescribe… —Mary Elizabeth Wise,asquotedbyWilliamM.AdkinsinObadiah Jennings Wise ’50: A Sketch of His Life,IndianaUniversityAlumniQuarterly.

Bloomington,April2nd,1849.MydearFather— Asthebustleofexaminations,exhibitions&movingfromoneboardinghousetoanotherisnowcompletelyover;asitistimetosendonmyquarterlyaccounts,andmoreoverasIfeellikecorrespondingwith“minehonorsive”hereIamsnuglyseatedintheroomappropriatedtomebyminehost(CousinJohnParker’sfriend,theworshipfulbrotherJohnOnchard)surroundedbypenink&cwithlittletosay,butwishingtosaymuch. ThePhilomatheauexhibitioncameoffonlastMondayevening.Yourtwonephewsdidaboutaswellasanythere.Theirdeclamationwasaboutthebestontheexhibition.Withregardtothecompositionoftheiressays,youcanhaveashameofjudgingforyourself,asIpresumeAuntMargaretwillsendthemontoyou…IhavecometothesagedeterminationthatIwillspendthisvacationwithoutloafing.Ihaveseveraltremendousprojectsonhand,suchasmakinggardens,readingGreek(somequestionaboutthatthough)and—butstop!I’llletyouintoasecretwhichno one else knows:yourson,hasoflatetakenseveralsmalldivesintoauthorship.Besidesfurnishingseveralfictionsforthe Indiana Tribune,hehashadthepleasureofseeinghalfadozenpiecesofhisownverseinprint.Ihavecometotheconclusionthatthereisnothingsomuchneededbyourcountryaspoetry,andhavedeterminedtotrymyhandatthebusiness.IhavecommencedatranslationofVoltaire’sHenriade intoverse,whichIhopetocompletebeforeleavingcollege.Whatthinkyou

Henry A. Wise. Engraved by H. B. Hall & Sons, New York. Used as the frontispiece in TheLifeofHenryA.WiseofVirginia by Barton H. Wise.

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ofit?Pleasewritetomeandtellmeallaboutthingsathome…Asthemailclosesinabouthalfanhour,andasIhavenothingmoretosaymyepistlemustbecutshort… lovetoall,Youraffectionateson,O. Jennings Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)January21,1850— Theyalwaysmention,whenwritingfromhomethereceiptofaletterfromyou,butthatisaveryunsatisfactorywayofhearingfromabrother,particularlyonewhohasalwaysbeenineverywaysocloselycon-nectedinallmydoingsandpleasuresuntilyouwenttocollege.Indeed,Obe,Ihavebeenthinkingmuchoflateaboutthetimeswehavehadtogether,studying,walking,riding,anditseemstomeeverythingwedidtogether,therecollectionofitallissoverydelightful,Iwishwehadittodoover.Doyou?IcannotbelieveyouwillbehomenextJune. —Mary Elizabeth Wise Garnett,asquotedbyWilliamM.Adkins inObadiah Jennings Wise ’50: A Sketch of His Life.Bloomington,April18th,1850.MydearFather— Ireceivedyoulastletter,datedApril4th,onTuesdaylast.WithregardtomyextravaganceIthankyouforyourkindreproof;butmustsaythatmyextravagancehasbeenowingnomoretomybeing a childthantomybeing treated as a child.Ihavebeenutterlyignorantastothestateofyouraffairs.WhenIlefthomeIknewyoutobefreefromdebt…Ihaveheardrepeatedlysincethatyouhadyourhandsfullofpractice,whichtogetherwithyourreputationwasincreasingdaily.Allthisledmetobelievethatyouweremakingmorethanenoughforallthenecessariesandcomfortsofthefamily.AndIcannotbelievethatIwouldknowinglyhavepreventedHenryandAnniefromreceivingtheirshareofyourliberality.AsIhavedoneso,IcanonlypromisetotryeverymeansinmypowerwhenIreturnhometomakeamendsatleasttoAnnieforthedeprivation…Ihavepaidoffmydebtsandhave$20andsomecentsremaining.Iwilltrytodoon$150.00more;butIdoubtwhetherIshallbeabletodoso.Idonotthinkthatmyclotheswillcostlessthan40or45dollars;mywinterclothesbeingnearlyallwornout,andmysummeronesoutgrown.BesidesthisattheendofthenextsessionIshallowemywasherwoman$18.00.ThisbillIhaveallowedtorunonforsometime,forgettingsometimesandseveraltimesofferingtopayher,butsherefused,statingthatshewouldprefertoreceiveit“allinalump;”afraidmostprobablythatIwishedtotakeitfromher.Underthehandof“otherexpenses”Ihaveincludedfuel,(whichIshallhavetouseuntilthemiddleofMay)candles,stationary[sic],postage,librarysubscriptions.Theboysareallwell.CollegecommencesagainonWednesdayweek.Pleasewritetomeandforgive,Yourson,O. Jennings Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

Only,Monday,March22,1852.MydearFather— Havingnothingelsetointerestyou,Imustgiveyouanotherdetailoffarmingoperations,whichwillnot,Ifearbeaspleasingasitisinteresting,sinceitisanepitomoe[sic]ofagriculturaldisasters.OnMondayandTuesdaywemanagedtofinishtheguanoland,Spenserbeingtoomuchindisposedtowork.OnWednesdaywehadaperfectstormofwindandrain,whichcontinuingallday,preventedalllaborthatday.ThehandswereemployedduringthebetterpartofThursdayinorganizingthefencesand

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fodderstacks,whichsufferedseverelyontheprecedingday.Afreezehavingsucceeded(orsucceededrather)thestorm.Allhandswereemployedfortherestoftheweekincuttingandmaulinglogsfortheoat-fieldfence,whichisnowpartlyconstructed—thatis,itismadeaboutsixlogshigh…OnSatur-daythesnowfellabouttwoinchesdeep.ThismorningIhadFred,SpenserandlittleJohnPoulsonhelpingtoshipthecattleonboardWilliamFinney’svesselfor Natts Island,whiletheotherhandscartedoutmanure.WegotthemallsafelyintheholdandthenthevesselstartedroundtoToppingsCreektotakeinthehouselogs,butranhardagroundwheresheisnowwaitingforhighwatertoliftheroff…IforgottotellyouthatwefinishedrollingtheoatsonTuesday.TheboxfromPhiladelphiaarrivedheretoday,bringingallthethingsyousentforbyJohnSergeant.Allarewell.Youraffectionateson,O. Jennings Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

Friday,nov.6th,1852.MydearFather— Itaketheopportunity,whichJim’sdeparturethiseveningaffordsme,todropyoualine.Henryisgettingalongfinely.Heisongoodtermswithalltheprofessors,andhasalreadygraduatedinFrench.Hehasbeenmainlyinstrumentalingettingupanewliterarysociety,whichnowrivalsinnumberstheonepreviouslyinitiated.Hehasbeenelectedbyitsmemberstodeliveranaddress,incontestagainstanoratorchosenbytheothersociety,onthe22ndFebruarynext.Iwasofopinionthathewouldmakeamuchbetterspeechbywaitingtillnextyear;but,ashewillthenhavetopreparehisgraduatingaddress,hepreferredtotakeachancethistime. TheJudgekeepsmebusy.Ourclass,neartwentyinnumber,attendslectureseverydayintheweek,besidestheextradutyofthemootcourtonSaturday…IdonotthinkthatIshallneed$300forthissession.Henrywillneedmore.Givelovetoall.Youraffectionateson,O. Jennings Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

Williamsburg,Jan.9th,1853.MydearFather—…IspentChristmasweekwithUncleJohninPrincessAnne.Allthefamilywereinexcellenthealthexcepthimself—hewasconfinedtohisroomallthetimebyasevereattackofinflammatoryrheumatism,butwasgettinggetterwhenIleft.Iamentirelyoutofmoney,andIfindthatHenryisinthesamesituation.Ishallsoonowe$50forboard,Henryhaspaidhisuptothe22ndofFebruary.Ialsoowe$60forbooks…forthisdebtIgavemynotepayableattheendofsixmonths—soyouseethatifitisnotconvenientforyoutoletmehaveitnow,themoneyneednotbeforthcomingtillthen.HenryowesIbelieve,about$30,insmalldebts…Ourinitiationfees&ccostustogetherabout$30andmytriptoPrincessAnne$15—washingbills$10.Thisstate-mentwillshowhowthegreaterpartofourmoneyhasgone.Weneedatpresentatleast$100–$200wouldperhaps[be]better,asitwouldenableustogouponthecashsystemforthefuture.ThereasonwhyIhavenotwrittentoyousooneristhatIdidnotknowexactlywheretofindyou.Alltheboysarewell.Youraffectionateson,O. Jennings Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

Williamsburg,March13,1853.MydearFather— Ireceivedyourletteryesterday.Ishallcertainlygradu-ateinJuly,whenIwishimmediatelytotakeoutalawlicense.Ishouldbevery

BythistimeObadiahWisewasstudyinglaw.

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muchpleasedifyoucanfindnothingbetterformetodo,toreturnherenextfall,andtakethelaw…HenryreturnedfromRichmondyesterday,wherehehasbeenonaccountofhisteeth,forthelastfewdays:theyweredecayingrapidlyandbegantobepainfultohim.IamsorrythatIwasnotawareofthestateofhismouthwhileDr.S—washere.Histeethcosthim$45,hisotherexpenses$20,inall$65.Thisnecessitatesadraftforthisamount,assoonasyoucanconvenientlysendit.IhavereceivedbuttwolettersfromWashing-tonsinceIhavebeenhere,onefromsisterandtheotherfromAnnie.Itis,Iexpect,myownfault;Ihavelostthehabitofwritingaffectionateletters,ButItrustthatyou,atleast,willbelievethat,withallmyselfishness,Iloveyoudearly,yesmoredearlythanever,Youraffectionateson,O. Jennings Wise. (VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

Williamsburg,April10,1853.MydearFather— Todaybeingmybirthday,Ihavedeterminedtosendyouafewlines,notwithstandingthefactthatIhavelittleornothingtosay…LastweekJimmieandtheothertwocandidatesforthedegreeofA.M.,togetherwithmyself,wereelectedbythefacultymembersofthePhiBetaKappaSociety.Howthehonorcametobeconferredonme,andonnoothermemberofthelawclassIcannottell;butIammorethelessthankfulforit.Asyouareawarenodoubt,itisthemosthonorable,aswellastheoldestandmostwidelyextendedliterarysocietyinthiscountry.Thefacultyaredeter-minedtomakeabigshowon“the4th.”Theyarestimulatingthecandidatesforgraduationwithpresentexhortationsaswellaswithprospectivegoldmedals.Oneortwoofthemhaveindicatedthatapoemonmypartwouldbeacceptable.Ireallydon’tbelievethatIcouldprepareone,evenifIhadthetimeandinclination—thepoeticfireissofeintwithinme.Mydaydreamsarebecomingdailymoreprosaic—principallyconcerningaseriesofverylearnedlegalargumentstobedeliveredinfuture,andImustconfessit—offuturefeesalso…Ihavenotsetmyheartongoingabroad…Ihavebutlittleprefer-enceastowhichcourtofEuropeIshouldresideat…thoughIwouldsome-whatpreferanEnglishoraGermanresidence,thefirstinordertobecomeacquaintedwiththeEnglishcourts,thelattertolearntheGermanlanguage…Givelovetoallandkissthechildrenforme.Youraffectionateson,O. Jennings Wise. (VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

1853–1860

l Thethirdmarriage:

Only,nearOnancock,Va.August13,1853.MydearestMaryLyons— Myheartboundstoyou—itwellsuptogushforthtoyouinitsfullness&freshness.Andisitso—thatIamyetblest“inwoman&love”?Again,again,again!Ithankthee,Iblessthee,Ipraisethee,Ilovethee.Andthisisnotimpiousadoration,butistrulyapartoftheDivin-ity,whichstirswithinus—anearnestdevotion,satisfyingasnature’slawwhichHeavenapprovesandsendstoearthtolightitupandliftustothegrace&gladness&gloryabove…Yes,MaryLyons,youhavethriceblessedme&“Iamyoursandyouaremine”forever!Andthisintensityofrealization

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shallgrowwithtimeanddeepen…IwillteachtheeallIknowoflovelikealittlechild…Iwascalledtodinner.SinceIhavecalledAnnietomysideandtoldherallandrequestedhertowritetoyou.Oh!Sheistoosweet.Thechildweptbutnotbitterly—shekissedmeandwashappy&recoveredherselfandimmediatelywrotetheinclosed.Itisherownspontaneousselfandjustwhatyouwillalwaysfindher—generous,sensible,sensitive,conscientiousandChristian-like.[Anniewasthen16yearsold.]Inthemidstofthis“joyofgrief”withheraletterisjusthandedtomefrommysoninLondon—abeau-tiful&manlyletterfromonewhomyouwillrespectwhenyouknowhimasyouwillloveAnnieonsight.He[ObadiahJenningsWise]leftforHamburghenroutetoBerlinJuly22ndat1o’clockatnight… —Saturday,Aug14th.IhaveagainsleptuponitandtalkedwithAnnie,andmydeardearMaryLyons!Ifearnotforyounorformychildren.Youwilluniteatoncebyinstantaneousfusionwithusall.I feel it so.Iamnotafoolinmylove.no!MaryLyonsyouhaveonlyjustmademehappy,thricehappyinthehopeofallinyoutomakeawife&mother.SaywhenImayflytoyouandsayitsoon&mayGodkeepyouinHiskeepingforeverforyourownHenry A. Wise. Washington,August28th.[1853]MydearMissLyons— Fatherhasjustinformedmeofhisengagementtoyourself.IhopeyouwillunderstandmewhenIconfessitiswithmixedfeelingIthinkofhismarriage.Theymustarisefromselfishness,howeverforIknowitwillbebetterforhimandhischildrentohaveagoodwifeandMother,andfromwhateveryonehastoldmeIfeelsurehecouldnothavemadeahappierchoice.MayGodblessyoubothandmakeyouasgoodaMothertomylittlebrothersandsistersastheirswastomeandHecouldnotgivethemagreaterblessing…Yours,Mary W. Garnett. WashingtonCity—Sept13th,1853.MydearMaryLyons— TheOmnibusfromAlexandriabroughtmehereearlylastevening,halfsickandmorethanhalfsadatwavingadieutothatpalefacewhichbeamedonmeatpartingfromtheHoteldoorandwhichhasbeenbeforemymind’seyeeversince,wakingandlastnightdreaming.Yes!LastnightIdiddreamofyouforthefirsttimeanditwasadreamwhichIwouldnothavehad“alladream”—itwassobrightandbeautifulandfullofdelight.ThatdreamIwilltelltoyousomeofthesedayswhenitmaymakeyouashappyasitdidmethisgloriousmorning,soglitteringwithlightandthehopeswhichlightalwaysinspires…Imetmynephewatthecarsandbadehimrideouttoseeyou.Itrusthedidsoandthatyoufoundhimapromisingfellow.HesaidDr.Garnetttoldhimtoinformyou,notme,ofthenewborngranddaughter&thethoughtofthatbabemademeanxioustohastenontoMary[MaryWiseGarnett].Ifoundherverywell,butthechild,thoughverylargeandapparentlyhealthy,willnotlive,Ithink.Why,theDoctorscannottell.Shehassentforaclergymantochristenit&lestitmaydie,Iforegonam-ingitMary Lyons.Themotherisperfectlyresignedtoletitsleepand—wakeinHeaven…TheBalt SunsaysIamwritingascathingarticleagainstthePacificR.RoadandamsoontoleadaRichmondbeautytothealtar.HowtheygetholdofthosethingsIcan’ttell,butsometimes“whateverybodysays

Mary Elizabeth Wise Garnett,1829–1898,adaughterofHenryA.WisebyhisfirstmarriageandmarriedtoDr.AlexanderY.P.Garnett.

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mustbetrue.”Speedtheday!SayIwhenIamtobeonewithmyownpurelovedMaryLyons.YourownHenry A. Wise.

September20,1853.IdonotwritetoofferyoucomfortmydearMrs.Lyonsinyoursoreaffliction,forearthlyfriendscangivelittleornoconsolationundersuchcircumstances.Ionlywishtotellyouthatyouhavemysincerestsympathyandlove.MuchIhavethoughtofyouinyourtrouble&prayedthatmyheavenlyFatherwouldconsolenotonlyyourselfbutallthesorrowingonesofyourfamily,andIamsuremyprayerswillbeanswered.Fatherreadmeyourkindmes-sage.Iloveyouforit…Ihaddeterminedbeforetoloveyouformyfather’ssake.Ifeelsurenowthatmyheart’swarmestaffectionmustbeyoursforyourownsake…FatherreceivedaletterfromSister[MaryWiseGarnett]todayinwhichshesentherloveandwarmestsympathytoyou.Shetoosorrows,herlittlebabediedlastWednesday,andthoughallmustrejoicethatitwastakeninitspuritytoGod,withouteverhavingknownearthlysinandcare,stillithaditsplaceinamother’sheartandthatheartcouldnothelpgrievingwhenitwastakenfromher.Idesiresomuchtoseeyou,andhopeitwillnotbeverylongbeforeIshallmeetyou.MybestwishesforyourwelfareandhappinessarealwaysyoursandagainIassureyouthatIwilldoeverythinginmypowertopromotethelatter.Thatyoumayfindconsolationinyourafflictionsisthesincereprayerof —YoursTruly&Affectionately,Annie J. Wise.

l Tragedyinthefamily,twoletters:

Only,nearOnancockVa.Sept24th,1853.MydearMaryLyons—…MaryGarnetthaslostherdearlittlebabe&Ihavejustfinishedanoteofcondolencetoher.Writetoher.Writetome.IprayGodtoguardyou… YourOwnHenry A. Wise.

Only,Oct.1st,1853.MydearMaryLyons— Anniebringsmethislettertoinclosetoyou.ItexcitesmemorethanIcoulddescribetodoso.FortwoweeksIhavenotrecd.alinefromyouandmyanxietyisalmostintolerable.Yet,Iamchainedhere!Iamcompelledtoremainathomeforthepresentandwouldflytoyou.Howareyou?—Sick?—Overwhelmedwithgrief?—Forgottenme?Threepacketshavecomeandgoneandnotanotefromyou.SabbathlastandThursdaylastIwassureofaletter—ofsomesignortokenatleastfromyouandnonecame.DidyouforgettomailyourlettersTuesdayorSaturdaytobecertainofreachingourferryatnorfolkbyFridayandbyTuesday?Tuesdayweekcoming,Oct.11th,IshallleavehereforRichmond.MayInot?Ah!Iftomor-row’smailshouldforbidit,Ishallbemostunhappy.Iamverydisturbednow. YourownHenry A. Wise.

Only,nearOnancock,Va.October6th,1853.MydearMaryLyons— Ifearyouwilltireofmyfrequentletters,butIamalittlesadaboutyou&mysolicitudesmustpleadmyapology.YouhavebeenmuchdistractedandIwasnotnearyouandIhavebeenanxiouswith-outbeingabletorelievemydoubtsormyfears.Bythesideofmeamaid,

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inthebloomofhealthandchildishinage,andcutdown;andbyyoursideayouthfull—fullofhope&promise—toadmonishushowshortlifeis&uncertaineverythingaround&aboutus.Thishasactuallymademener-vouslyanxiousaboutourweddingday.Areyouever— nevertobemine?Ihaveaskedthatquestionathousandtimes,knowingtoohowyouare&havebeenlatelysorrowing.Thishasmademejumptowork—theworkofrapidpreparationforyourcoming&comingsoon.Thehousehasbeentornupfromtoptobottomandtheworkisstillgoingonbutwillbefinishedbynextweek.AndIhavebeenpitchingmywheatcropandhavenotmuchhindrancefrominterruptionsoflaborandfromthedroughtthisfall.Butitwillallcomeright…Wemust—indeedwemustbemarriedsoon.IshallgoonnextTues-dayweekunlessIhearsomethingfromyoutoforbid.Ihavegoneforthtothewoodsandkneltalone&prayedGodfor you.Iweepwhentheloveofyoucomesrightfulloverme.YourownHenry A. Wise.

Only,Oct.12th,1853.MydearMaryLyons— …YesterdayIrec’daletterfromMaryGarnettanditinclosedyoursweet—exquisitelysweetlettertoheronthedeathofherbabe.Igratefullythankyouforit.Youneednotfear,mylove—thesedearchildrenalreadyallloveyouandtheywillallblessyou.Iknowtheywillandamthereforesoanxiousforyoutocometothemandtocomequickly.Marypromisestomeetyouhere.Idon’tintendthatanyoneelseforsometime,exceptthechildren,shallbeheretodivertusintheleastfromeachother.Iamyourown,Henry A. Wise.

HenryA.WiseandMaryElizabethLyonsofRichmondweremarriedinnovember1853. Perhapsthemostcompletedescriptionof theWise family for the1840sand1850sisaletterwrittenbyObadiahJenningsWisetoMrs.JohnGadsbyChapmanwhowaslivinginRome.Anartist,JohnGadsbyChapman,1808–1889,wasaclosefriendofHenryA.WiseandhadoftenvisitedwiththeWisefamily.Obadiah’sletter:

Berlin,Germany,January5,1854.DearMrs.Chapman— SixmonthsandmorehaveelapsedsinceMrs.Brown,onherreturnfromItaly,deliveredmesomekindmessagesfromyour-selfwhichstirredupahostofoldremembrances,andledtorepeateddeter-minationstoopenacorrespondencewithyou.Business,indolenceandeveryothersortofhinderingcircumstancehavecontinuallyinterposedtopreventtheaccomplishmentofthesegoodintentions,andIamatlastmovedtotheundertakingbythegreatestmotivepowerofthislife—selfishness.Ihaveafavortoaskofyou,ofwhichIwillspeakdirectly. YouwishtoknowwhatwehaveallbeendoingsincewepartedfromyouatnewYorknearlyelevenyearsago.Myenergiesareentirelyinsufficienttofurnishanythinglikeasatisfactoryexposé ofeventhedomesticoccurrencesofourownlittlefamilycircleduringsolongaperiodoftime.Icanonlygiveyouasketchoftheappearanceandcharacterofeachmemberofthecircle,togetherwitharecitalofsomeofthemostimportantevents. WelivedapleasantlifeinBrazil.TheonlygreatgriefthatbefelluswasthenewsofthedeathofmyuncleMr.TullyR.Wise,whichreachedusshortly

Obadiah Jennings Wise, 1831–1862. Photograph courtesy of the Virginia Historical Society, Rich-mond, Virginia.

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afterourarrival.WeluxuriatedinaclimateandscenerywhichIcannotbelievetobesurpassedbythoseofItalyitself—madebutlittleadvanceinsocialintercoursewiththePortugueseinhabitants,whowereinapproach-ableandalthoughwemingledconsiderablywithamixedsocietyofEnglish,American,FrenchandSpaniards,permanentandtransitory,wereobligedtofindineachotherourchiefresourcesofentertainment. Fatheremployedhisenergiesinexercisingastrictpatriarchalgovern-mentoveralargehouseholdcomposedofvariousnationsandcomplexionsandspeakingthreelanguageswhichhedidnotunderstand,—incultivatingtwoorthreeacresofgardenland,—insuppressingtheslavetrade,—andinassertingandmaintainingtherightsandprivilegesofourrepublicancitizens.Oursojourninthecountrywasmarkedbytwoadditionstothefamily—aflaxenhaired,blue-eyedgirl,whoserealnameisMargaret,butwhoisknowntothisdayonlybythenameofnéné(thePortuguesesynonymfor“baby”)—andaheartybusterofaboy,whoreceivedthebluffandappropriatecogno-menof“John.” Earlyinthespringof1847,IlefttherestofthefamilyatRio,andbetookmyselftotheUniversityatBloomington,Indiana,attheheadofwhichwasFather’soldmaster,thelateDr.AndrewWylie.EnteringaclassofwhichIwasmuchinadvance,andrelishingtheindependenceofcollegelifeandwesternmanners,Iwassoonatmyeasethere. Therestofthefamilyreturnedhomeinthefallandinspiteofpositiveorderstothecontrary,foundmeonthegroundtowelcometheirarrival;—amatterwhich,youmaybesure,wastheimmediatecauseofverysevereparentaladmonitions.Afewdaysathomebroughttomyeyesthefactthat,duringthepassagehomeandforsometimeprevioustoit,Dr.Garnett(ayoungnavalsurgeonfromEssexCountyVirginia)andmysisterMaryhaddonesomedamagetoeachother’shearts,—andintime,thatamatrimonialengagementwaspending.Havingsufficientlybedeviledtheyoungladyaboutthisdelicatesituationofaffairs,Ireturnedtocollege,leavingmybrotherHenryinanindignantstateofmindbecausehewasnotallowedtoaccom-panyme.Thefactwasthat,althoughwelovedeachotherdearly,ourfraternalaffectionwasenlivenedbyalmostdailypugilisticencounters;—soitwasthoughtbesttokeepusapart. Ididnotreturnhomeagainuntilmycollegetermwasover,varyingitonlybyalongvisittomyuncleDr.Jennings,atnashville,Tennessee.Heimpressedmeasamostincorrigibleoldbachelor,whichimpressionhehassince(sometwoyearsago)disprovedbytakingtowifeacomelyyoungdam-selofseventeensummers,who,inadditiontoherothercharms,threwintohispossessionacomfortableestateofsome$50,000.TheDr.isnowtheonlysurvivingmemberofmymother’sfamily.JustbeforeleavingRiodeJaneiro,IreceivedthenewsofmyauntSarah’sdeath.Shortlyafterarrivingatcollege,IwrotetomyauntMary,andwasansweredbyablack-sealedletterfrommyauntRebecca,announcingthatauntMarydiedshortlybeforemyletterwasreceived.MyanswertomyauntRebecca’sletterdidnotreachherbeforeherowndeath. Mycollegecareerwasnotverycreditableasfarasacquirementanddis-tinctionwereconcerned.Ardentlyattachedtomydearoldmaster,Dr.Wylie,forwhosememoryIstillretaintheliveliestaffectionandadmiration,—Idevotedmyselfparticularlytohisinstructions—political,metaphysicaland

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religiousandcaughtfromhisclearheadandmanlyheartthosemoralandreligiousconvictionswhicharetomenowasa“pillarofstrength.”Snubbedbyalltheotherprofessorsforneglectoftheirdepartments,Ibecameanactivememberofoneofthedebatingsocietiesofthecollege,—wrotequiteaquan-tityofverymediocrepoliticalessays,andhavingthuswastedmostofmytimeindeclamationanddreaming,atlasttookmydiplomaalmostde gratia. Ireturnedhomein1850,andfoundHenrymorethansixfeethigh(over-toppingmebymorethanthreeinches)—Anniealmostawoman,andsisterMaryawifeandmother.Withinafewmonthsaftermyreturnmystepmotherdiedsuddenly.Blessingsonhermemory!—fornineyearsshelovedusallwithamother’sloveandcaredforuswithamother’scare;andherchildrenareasdeartomeasifonemotherhadgivenusbirth.DuringthefollowingyearwealsolostlittleSpencer,thebabywhowasbornwhileIwasatcollege.Hewasablack-eyedlittleboywithcurlyhair,andresembledverymuchthepictureMr.Chapmanpaintedofmeatthreeyearsold. Iremainedathomefortwoyears,actingasfamilytutor,farmer,lawstu-dentandlieutenantofmilitia,—allofwhichoccupationsIpartiallyattendedtobyfitsandstarts. Inthefallof1852,IwenttothelawschoolatWilliamsburgVa:,whichisunderthedirectionofJudgeScarburgh,agentlemenwithwhomyouweredoubtlessacquaintedinAccomacsometwentyyearsago,andwhowasthenMr.GeorgeP.Scarburgh.DeterminedtocompensateinsomedegreethemortificationwhichmypreviousneglecttostudyhadcausedtoFather,Iworkeddiligently,andinninemonthstimetookmylawdiplomaandlawlicense.JustafterIobtainedthese,PresidentPiercewaskindenoughtotendermeanappointmenttotheofficewhichInowholdandfatherconsentedthatIshouldtakeitforfouryears,undertheconditionthatanyleisurehoursshouldbeappliedtoastudyofthecivillaw. Ashorttimeaftermyarrivalhere,IreceivedaletterfromFather,announcinghisapproachingmarriagewithMissMaryLyonsofRichmond,Virginia.ExceptacorrespondencewhichIhavehadwiththatladysincethemarriage,Iamentirelyunacquaintedwithher;—buttheletterswhichIhavereceivedfromallquartersaresuchastoassuremethatFatherhasmadeamostexcellentselection.Hiswifeiswithoutfortune,butbearsthecharacterofapiousandamiablewoman,—andassheisalready38yearsofagenoinconveniencecanresultfromtoogreatadisparityinthisrespect.Thushav-ingbroughtmattersuptothepresenttime,Iwilltrytogiveyouanideaofthechangeswhichtimehaswroughtuponeachoneofus. Father’shairisnowplentifullymixedwithgrey,hisformisnotquitesostraightasitusedtobe,andheisobligedtouseglasseswhenhereads.Hismindisintheripenessofitsvigor,andhisenergyisasunshakenasever.Heisevenabetteroratorthanheusedtobe,andmuchmoreofaphilosopher.SincehereturnedfromBrazilhehasdevotedhimselftothecultivationofafarmonOnancockcreek,andtohislawpractice.Duringthetime,hehasheldofficeonlyforoneyear.Aimingallhisenergiesatstrikingfromourstatecon-stitutionthearistocraticfeatureswhichitsolongdisplayed,hewaselectedamemberoftheconstitutionalconvention1850–51.Acknowledgedasaleaderofthereformpartyinthatconvention,heachievedtheproudesttriumphofhislife,carryingthroughtheprincipalreformmeasures,inspiteofanorigi-nalmajorityofseventeenagainstthem.Hisgreatspeechwasonthequestion

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ofthebasisofrepresentation,andforfivesuccessivedaysanovercrowdedaudiencefavoredhimwithitsattendanceandapplause.norhasheatanytimeneglectedeitherstateorgeneralpolitics.Hewasademocraticelectorinthetwopresidentialcampaignsof’48and’52,andhasatalltimeplacedhisshouldertothewheelwheneverpoliticalissuesofanydescriptionhavebeeninagitation.Ihavejustreadtwolonglongletterswhichhehaslatelypub-lished—oneisontheslaveryquestion,andtheotherisablowwhichhehasdealtwithallhisstrengthatthenewpoliticalassociationofKnownothings.IhavealsojustreceivedthenewsofhisnominationastheDemocraticcandi-dateforGovernorofVirginia,anddonotdoubtthathewillbeelectednextspringbyalargemajority. Don’tblamemeforboastinginthisway,forIamveryproudofhim,—andheis,ashealwayswas,thedearestandbestoffathers. YouwouldknowmysisterMaryataglance.Mr.Chapman’sportraitofherisstillanexcellentlikeness.Shehasalsopreservedthecheerfulnessandtruthfulnessofherchildhood,—andshepossessesmoreofFather’sdecisionandenergythananyoftherestofus.Shehastwochildren,aboyandgirl.Herhusbandisanestimablegentleman,andisrapidlymakingafortuneinthepracticeofhisprofessionatWashington. Henryisverytallandveryslender,andasmuchlikeFatherasheusedtobe.Themoststrikingfeatureofhischaracterisanunconquerablepugnacioustendency.OnreturningfromcollegeIwasobligedinselfdefencetogivehimtwosounddrubbings.Atseventeenyearsofage,headministeredacaningtohisschoolmaster,andcommencedmakingstumpspeeches.Theseevidencesofprecocityinducedafamilyconsultation,inwhichitwasdeterminedtosendhimtotheVirginiaMilitaryAcademyatLexington.Afterafewmonthsresidenceatthisplacehewascourtmartialed[sic]anddismissedforaslightmistake—thatoffixinghisbayonetinoneofthecadetsinsteadofonhismusket.HethenwenttoWilliamandMaryCollege,whereayear’sintimacywiththeableandpiousPresidentofthatuniversity,BishopJohns,awokehimtoreligiousconvictions.HejoinedtheEpiscopalchurch,determinedtoentertheministryandappliedhimselfsointentlytohisstudiesthathishealthhaslatelybeguntofail,andhehasbeenobligedtoleavecollegeandtakemyoldpartoffarmerandschoolmasterathome,wherehewillremainayeartorecruithisstrength. Annieisthebeautyofthefamily.Herfaceisaperfectoval—herhairalightchestnut,andalthoughherforeheadistoolargefortheartist’sstan-dardoffemalebeauty,yettheexpressionofherlargedarkeyes,herlongjettyeyelashesandblackandwellpenciledeyebrows,togetherwiththeperfectregularityandfinechiselingoftherestofthefeatures,setoffbyacomplexionverymuchlikemymother’swas—allthismakesupaverylovelyface.SheisalsotallerthanSisterMary,whoisratherinclinedtothepetite.Annieisalsoinclinedtobeablue,scribblesversesandpuzzlesmewiththetoughestsortofmetaphysicalproblems.Inspiteofthesefoibles,however,sheisadearaffectionatesisterand,Ibelieve,asincereandearnestChristian.Sheisstillatschool,andwillnotbesetfreefromittillnextspring. Dickistheblue-eyedbabyyousawatnewYork.Heisaqueerboy,veryquietandold,manish[sic]inhisways,butagoodchildandevincesmuchdecisionofcharacter.HisbrotherJohnworshipshim. Johnisathicksetruffianwithaheadmuchtoolargeforhisbody(when

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hewassixyearsold,Icouldwearhishat).Heoverflowswithanimalspiritsanddoesn’tfearthedevil—andhasasharpgreyeyewithalightinitthatlookslikeFather’s:thisisperhapsthereasonwhythelatterconsidershimthesmartestofallhischildren. nénéisperfectlyblonde.Shehasaretrousénoseandisnotpretty;butsheisasagileasadeerandasfullofdeviltryasayoungfox. IreceivedseveraldaysagoaletterfromFather,inwhichhesays— “HenryisathometeachingandtakingcareofRichardandJohnny.Hen-ry’shealthisimprovingandIhopehisenergyiscomingbacktohim.RichardisanintensechildandJohnalocomotive!nénéisthedearestlittlewitchintheworldandisconstantlyandinseparablywithhermother.Annieisnowwell,doingherdutyfaithfullyanddutifullyatschoolinRichmond.Herhealthwasbadlastwinter.Maryisthesamesterlingwoman,—muchlovedandrespectedbyyourmother,towhomshehasbeendevotedlykind,andsheisashardinhealthassheisfirminprinciple… There!Ihavegivenyouasketchofallofthem—suchasketchasIwouldgivetonoonebutavaluedfriend,—fortheyarethedearesttreasuresIhaveandIholdthemsacredinmyheartofhearts. Butperhapsyou’dliketohaveanadditionalportrait—thatofthehum-bleindicteroftheselines.Verywell:Youmustknow,inthefirstplace,thatIhavelostallmybeauty(IamvainenoughtobelievethatIformerlypossessedanuncommonshareofthecommodity).Picturetoyourselfaman5feet9inchestall,withanattenuatedframe,rathershortinthelegsandverylonginthearms,—asmallhead,—ahatchetfaceembellishedwithalargenose,hairinclinedtocurlandverycoarseandbushy—voila tout!IfaskedforapictureofmymoraldispositionIwouldonlysaywithWilde— “Ineverkneltatglory’sshrine, TowealthIneverbowedtheknee, Beautyhasheardnovowsofmine. Ilovethee,easeandonlythee!”Indeed,ifcircumstancespermittedit,IshouldbeapttosinkintoaSybarite;butsomethingintheshapeofmoralsentimentandfilialdutyisslowlycon-vertingmeintoas-t-e-a-d-y,r-o-u-t-i-n-ebusinessman.Youmaybesur-prisedatmytemerityinpresentingthiscommonplacepicturetotheeyeofaladywhosesentimentandtastearethoseofacultivatedartist,andwhoisthewifeofagreatartist;—buthonesttruthdictatesthemeasureandIhavelongsinceceasedtobeacoxcomb. nowtotheimmediatecauseofthisletter.—ItisbarelypossiblethatImaysoonstartforItaly.IfIdo,Ishallaccompanysomefriends,whowillleaveherenextweek—whetherIgoornot.nowitismostprobablethatIshallnotbeabletogo,—andifIdogo,Iamanindependentbachelor—sufficientlyabletotakecareofmyselfunderanycircumstances:butitisnotsowithmyfriends—…ThepartywillbeatRomeonthe11thofFebruarynext.Theyareanxioustohaveapartmentssecured,ifanyaretoberentedat that time;butarewillingtotaketheriskofprocuringapartmentsaftertheirarrival,ratherthangototheexpenseofrentingthematoncetobekeptvacantuntilthen……IwillbeverygratefulforanyattentionwhichMr.ChapmanandyourselfwillshowthepartyinquestionduringtheirstayinRome.IthinkithardlypossiblethatIshallaccompanythem. Ishallbemuchdisappointedifthisletterdoesnotinsuremeacorrespon-

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dencewithyou.RestassuredthatyouhaveallneverceasedtoberememberedandlovedinAccomac.Mr.Chapman’spictureshavelookeddownuponuscontinually,andyournamesarehouseholdwordsaroundourfireside.Sometimeago,wehadseveralfamilyreadingsofMr.Chapman’sletters,whichwereforwardedtoFatherbytheirmutualfriend,Mr.HolmesConrad,towhomtheywereaddressed.IrememberinoneofthemMrs.ChapmanexpressedhisintentionofmakinganartistofJack… RemembermeaffectionatelytoMr.Chapmanandtheboys—alsotothelittlegirlwithwhosenameandfaceIamasyetunacquainted,—andbelieveme,Yoursverytruly,O. Jennings WiseTo:Mrs.JohnG.Chapman,atRome.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

l LettersfromAnnieWise:Richmond,February6,1854.MydearFather— Ireceivedyourletteryesterdayafternoonandmustacknowledgethatitworriedmeagreatdeal,asIdonotthinkthatMrs.B—wastherightpersontoinformyouofmybeing“toodelicate”toremainatschool.ButImusttellyouatoncewhatDr.Conway’sopinionis,forassoonasIreadyourletterIwroteanotetohimrequestingthathewouldcomearoundherethismorning.HeleftaboutahalfanhouragoandIwilltellyounowhismessage,wordforwordasnearlyaspossible.HesaidtotellyouandDr.Garnettthatinthebeginningofthewinter(orratheratChristmas)Ihadquiteasevereattackofcoldaccompaniedwithfeverandaverybadsorethroat,butthatthefeversoonleftmeasalsodidallothersymptomsofcoldexceptanirritationofthethroatandacough…Ibecamesomuchbetterthathethoughtfurthertreatmentuseless.(Hedidnotseemeagainforsometime,andinthemeanwhiletheweatherbeingverychangeableIcaughtslightcoldswhichalwayssettledinmythroatbutastheannoyancefromitwasveryslight,IdidnotcallinDr.Conway.)But(tocontinuetheDr.’smessage)thatthelastattackIhad,hadagainthrownmeback,andasmycoldandcoughstillclingtomeand[illegible]meformyregularschooldutiesforatimeatleast,thatitwouldbebetterformetogohome,aschangeofairandridingonhorse-backwouldbenefitme,thoughhedoesnotthinkmyhealthinanyveryimmediatedangeratall,andthatbyproperexerciseandfollowinghispre-scription(whichisprettymuchthesameasDr.Garnett’s)Icanrecoverhere.HealsosaidtotellyouthatthiswinterinRichmondhadbeenaverytryingoneforanybody’sconstitutionandtotellDr.GarnettthathisprescriptionisexactlywhatInowrequireandwhathewouldhaveprescribedformebeforeIhadnotbecomesomuchbetter. AndnowdearFather,hearwhatIhavetosay—Icannottellyouhowitwoulddistressmetogiveupmypresentcourseofstudiesandthoughper-hapsforaweekorso,Icannotattendtheschoolroomasregularlyasusual,stillIcanattendtomymusicandFrench,andrecoverjustaswellasathome,andthoughDr.Conwaythinksitwouldbebetterformetobeinthecountry,stillhesaysthereisnodoubtbutwhatbycareandprudence,andnotapply-ingmyselftomystudiestoomuchforaweekorso,willgetwell,andthentooFather,thespringweatherwillsoonbehere.AtanyratepleaseletmestayuntilyouandMothercomeupthelastofthismonth,andthenifIamnotwellyoucantakemehome.LastweekIdidsufferagreatdealfrommycough,

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butthatisnowbetter,thoughstilltroublesome,andIhavenodoubtbutwhatitwillleavemesoon.Ireallythinkthatthedisappointmentfromleavingschoolwillbejustasbadforme,asallowingmetostayhere…Mrs.B—saystotellyouthatifshehadthoughtitreallynecessaryformetogohomeshewouldhavewrittenyouword.ButifyouthinkImustreturnIwilltrytodosocheerfullyandIcaneasilygoontoWashingtonbeforethelastofthisweekandmeetyouthere…Youraffectionatechild, Annie J. Wise. —LetmehearfromyouFatheratonce.

February6,1854.DearFather— YourletterhasjustbeenhandedmedatedfromAccomac.AndasIseeyousayDr.GarnettthinksIoughttoleaveRichmondIsupposeImustgo.MycoughiscausedbyaticklinginmythroatwhichDr.Conwaysaysisbronchitis.IfyouwishmetojoinyouinWashingtonyouhadbettertelegraphtometomorrowandIcanreturnwithMariaH—’sbrotherwhoisnowhere. —YourdaughterAnnie.

Richmond,February21,1854.MydearFather— IamwritingtoyousittingupinbedforIamsorrytosaythatIhaveagainbeensick,thoughbynomeansseriouslyso.Theweatherforthelasttwoweekshasbeensoverychangeable,thatithascausedmetotakecold,andthisistheseconddaythatIhavebeeninbed.Iwasquitesickyester-dayandlastnightwithfeverandaching in my bones,butthoughsomewhatweak,Iambettertoday,Dr.Conwayhavingprescribedahotfoot-bath… DearFather,whenareyoucomingtoRichmond?Iwanttoseeyousomuch,andhavethoughtaboutyouandallofhome,allthetimesinceIhavebeensick.Whenyoudocomehere,besuretobringMotherwithyou,—itwillmakeyourcomingdoubly welcome… Theintermediateexaminationisnowverynear…IknowthatIhavereally studiedfarmorethanIeverdidbeforeandhavelearntsomethings.IthinkIshallstanditaboutaswellasanyofthegirls.IndeedFather,thoughIdonotalwayssucceed,Idotrytodomyduty. …Iamtiredandweak,andmustthereforestop.Kissallathomeforme,andgivemylovetotheservantsandEliza.AlsogivemylovetoAuntHar-riet…GodblessyoumydarlingFather.Writewhenyoucareto.—Yourownaffectionatechild,Annie J. Wise.

lLettersfromMaryLyonsWise:

Only,March3rd,1854. ShallIaddressyouasMydearHusband—thefirsttimeIhaveusedthatcomprehensiblewordwhichconveystomesomuchofloveandtrust.YoudidnotexpecttohearfromussosoonbutalettercamefromAnniethisevening,whichIamanxiousforyoutosee.IhopeyouwillgoontoRichmond.Youcanthenbetterjudgehercondition.IreceivedaletterfromWm.HenryLyonsdatedFeb26th—hesaysAnniehasbeenstayingwithMaryseveraldays,andhasbeenquitesickwithacold,butwhenhewrote,was“nearlywell.”IalsoreceivedanaffectionateletterfromHenryandonecametoyoufromMrs.Sergeant,thechiefobjectofwhichwastoaskyoutosendthechildrentoPhila,thefirstofApril.Thechildrenareallhangingaboutme,(justaftersupper)—Elizabeggingthemtogoupstairsbuttheyarenotinclinedtoobeythesummons.Johnnyispretendingtohavethenightmare,andcan’tbeawakened,bothJimandEliza

Eliza insomeletters Ida,wasawhitenursefromPhiladelphia,whobeganworkingforHenryA.WisewhenhemarriedSarahSergeantwhohadalsocomefromPhiladelphia.AfterSarahSergeantdiedElizastayedwiththefamilyduringWise’sthirdmarriage,throughouttheCivilWar,andthen,inheroldage,shewascaredforbyAnnieJenningsWiseHobson.

Mrs. Sergeant thegrandmotherofHenryWise’schildrenbyhissecondmarriagetoSarahSergeant.

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areshakinghim.Ah!Heisupwithascreamoflaughter,andIhearhissweetvoicesingingalongthestairs.Richardisverybusywritingbymyside…nénéisincessantlycallingout“Mother,Mother”soyoucanformaprettygoodideaofourpositiontonight…TodayIhavebeeninthegardenwithGeorge,buthedon’tlike“Bookgardening.”Writeme,ifonlyaline.Givemybrothermyaffec-tionatelove.Thechildrensendmuchlove.MinetoallattheDr’s.Goodnight.Mayangelsguardyou,prays,yourdevotedwife,M. L. Wise.

WashingtonSept.30th1854 …Dr.Garnettisverykindindeed—heislookingatmycase,notdoingmuchyet.Hebegsyouwillsendhimyour“Know-nothing”lettertoreadbeforeyoupublishit.HewroteanarticlefortheEnquirer againstyouropponent&itwastoocausticthatMr.Payorwouldnotpublishit.Pleasedon’tbecometoomuchexcitedinspeaking.Iamafraidyouwillinjureyourself…Whendoyouthinkyoumaybehere!…ItolddearJohnny&Richardthattheyshouldnotgointothebushalone,orgoshootingwithoutHenrytillIgotback,tho’theyprotestedthat“Papa”saidtheymightgo.nénéiswell&happy.Thewaninglightremindsme’tistimetosayAdieu.MayakindProvidencewatchover&guideyoutonight— Yourdevotedwife,M. L. Wise.

Only.Jan8th,1855.Mybelovedhusband— TheBoatdidnotcrossonFriday,consequentlyIreceivednoletterfromyouyesterday.IdidnotbearmydisappointmentasIshould…Youhavehardlytimetothinkofalittlescene,“wayacrosstheBay,”whereapoorsickgoodfornothingmotherreclinesonacouch,theeldersonreadingaloud,onesonsittingatherfeet&onedearlittlefellow,thefather’ssoftenedimage,lyingbyherside…Johnnyenclosedhisfirstattemptatletterwriting—Ihopeyouwon’tthinkitisDutch!IhavewrittentoaskWillietohiremeacook.Mrs.Poulsonhasjustleftme—sheisakindneighbor…IwrotetoyouonSaturday.IfyoureturnthroughRichmondpleasebringmesomethinginterestingandinstructivetoread.Todayisgloomywithout…—Yourdevotedwife,M. L Wise.

Only,Jan.13th,1855.MydearHusband— Richardinsistsonsendinghisletter,andasitisuniqueinitsstyle,Iencloseitforyouramusement.Ihopehewillsoonbeabletowriteyouabetterone.HewouldtellyouIwassick,buttodayIammuchbetter,tho’compelledtolieinbed— …Iamnotdepressed.MyfirmtrustisinthestrongarmoftheLordJehovah.Iamresignedtowhateverhedeemsbestforme…MaytheLordspeedyouinyourwork&undertakeforyouistheconstantprayerofyourdevotedwife.Thechildrenarewithmefrequentlyandreadtome.Iwishyoucouldhaveseenthemlastnight—allonmybed,whileRichardreadaloud.Henrywillwriteyouofdomesticmatters.Ican’twritemorenow…Takecareofyourself&pleasedon’tspeaktoovehemently.Godblessyoumyhusband,now&forever…—Yourownwife.M. L. Wise.

Only,Jan.17th,1855.Ihaveonlyheardfromyouoncemydearlylovedhusband,sinceweparted,butImustagainsendmylittlemessengertoseekyouout,andaskfortid-ingsofyourpreciousself.Iamconstantlythinkinganddreamingofyou.Last

Johnny JohnSergeantWise,born1846,sonofHenryA.WiseandSarahSergeantWise.

Richard RichardWise,born1843,sonofHenryW.WiseandSarahSergeantWise.

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nightIdreamtweweretravelingtogetherinthewater,hadsomealarm,butweresafelyputonshore.Mayitbepropheticthatwemaybesafelylandedatlast,onthe“fairshoresofCanaan.”Thechildrenhavejustleftme,aftersayingtheirlessons,&nénéwrittenanicelettertoAnnie.RichardbegssohardtosayhisEnglishlessonstomethatIhaveconsentedtoit.HedoesnotlikeHenry&treatshimsobadly.TodayIammuchbetter,butamkeepingveryquietanddon’tintendtoworkabouttillyougethome.Dr.Lyonshasonlypaidmeonevisit.IwassufferingsomuchthatMrs.Poulsonurgedmetosendforhim.Mrs.P—hasbeenverykindtome…Elizaisveryatten-tivetomeindeed.ItakeDr.Garnett’spillseveryday…Becarefulofyourselfmydearhusband.Ishalltrytogetwellereyoureturn&trustyoumayfindeverybodyandeverythingdoingwell.Ican’tgetacook… Georgehasnearlyfinishedthefruittrees.Iamputtinghimaboutthegarden.…Ican’twritemorenow.DowritetomemydearHusband.Ifeelthatyouwillsucceed.AtearlydawnIhavethoughtsofyoueversinceyouleftme&oftenatthemid-nighthavetoo.Iamalwaysyourdevotedwife.M. L. Wise.

Jan19th,1855.Tonight,IhopeyoureachLynchburg,mywanderinghusbandsothatyoumaytaketimetorestandrefreshyourselffortomorrow’sappointment.Idon’tknowwhyyourlettershavenotreachedme,asthepapers&letters,bothnorth&South,havearrivedregularlyforthelasttwoweeks.Ifeelsomewhat anxiousaboutyou,asIdidnothearfromyou&thepaperstoldmeyoudidnotmeetthepeopleinPetersburgbyappointment…Bytomorrowyouwillhavereceivedtwolettersfrommeandonefromnéné&Johnny.IhavesenttwotoCharlottesville.WhatwouldInotgivetobewithyoutonight.Probablyyouarecold&wearied&havenotacomfortableroom,whilstIamsittingbyyour fire,everythingaroundme,alittleblacksketchbeforeme,remindingmeof“oneIlovesodear.”Thechildrenhavegonedowntosupper&muchtotheirdelighthavePeggyBagswellastheirguest—afewmomentssince,Ihadthemallsittingbymyside,saveJohnny,whowasinmylaptalkingofyou.TheyarenowentertainingMissPeggywiththeirbooks…HenryBainehasbeeninmyroomtonight,givingmeanaccountofmattersonthefarm…Youhave6whitelambsand1blackone—onewasborndead.Thecarpenters&bricklayershaveneitherappearedyet.IhavetriedtomakeGeorgefastenupthebrokengates,butthesheepwillstealin,anddespairmeofallmylilyflowers…theyhavedaintyappetites.Iwishtheywouldcomfortthemselvesonmyrtle.IhaveforgottentotellyouthatIamwalkingaboutmyroomalittletoday.Ifeelalmostwellagain…ThechildrenIhavehadwithmecon-stantly—teachingthem&readingtothem.nénéhasreadtomefrequentlyandisbehavingmuchbetterthanshedidshortlyafteryouleftus.Ihaveneverseenachildwhosodetestsbooksasshedoes…—M.W.

l LettersfromAnnieWise:

Richmond,January30,1855.MydearFather— ItisnotwithoutconsiderationthatIhaveconcludedtowriteyouthisletter.EveryweekhasoflatehasbroughtmealetterfromhomestatingthatMotherwasconfinedtoherbed,&Icannottellyouhowunhappyitmakesmefeeltothinkofherassick&alonewhileIamhereenjoyingevery

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pleasure&blessing,gratifyingmytastesandambitions,whenIfeelassuredthatmypresenceathomeissomuchneededandcouldcontributeagreatdealtothehappinessofthoseIlove.OnthefirstofMarchthehalfsessionherewillbecompleted&InowleaveitforyoutosaydearFatherwhetherIhadnotbetterleaveschoolatthattime&returntoOnly.YouknowthatIamasambitioustocultivatemymindasyouaredesirousthatIshoulddoso,—thatthepursuitofknowledgeistomeagreatpleasure,andyoucannotthereforeinferthatIamweariedofschool-life,whenItellyouthatonthewholeIwouldpreferreturninghome.Letmegiveyoumyreasons,&Ithenleaveitforyoutodecideforme.IfMotherstillcontinuessick,shewill(Ipresume)beobligedtoagainconsultthePhysicianinPhiladelphia,&thehouseholdathomewouldbelefttomanageitself,&thechildrentorunwild;ifIamthereIcanpreventboth.EvenifMotherdoesnotgotoPhiladelphiasheistoodelicate,toolittlecapableofbearingfatigue&ofexertiontohavethecareoftheménage &tobeconstantlywatching&trainingthechildren;ifIwaswithherIcouldassistherinboth,&insodoingcouldbetrainingmyownmind,heartandbody.nénépar-ticularlyisnowatanagewhensherequiresconstantwatching&instruction,—andremembermydearFatherthatIamnolongerachild…ThatIwouldliketofinishthecoursehereIdonotdeny,butbyproperdiligenceathomeIdonotthinkthatIshouldloseagreatdealbyreturningtheresoon.FrommyexperiencelastyearIamconvincedthatIcouldnotremainhereduringthemonthofJune,sothatIshouldlosebutthreemonthsofthesession.MusicistheonlystudywhichIshouldmateriallyloseinatpresent,&thatatsomefuturetimeIcouldmakeupfor.IcouldtakeaselectionofFrenchbookshomewithme&wouldregularlycorrespondinFrenchwithMrs.V—(mypresentteacher)…AndlastlyIfeelmoreandmoreeachdayhowgreatlyIneedphysi-calstrength,&amconvincedthattheconfinedlifeoftheschool-roomdoesmenogoodbodily.Ineedactive&constantexercisewhichitishereimpossibletotake.TheweatherduringtheSpringinRichmondisalsoverytryingtomythroatonaccountoftheconstantdampnesswhichpervadestheatmosphere.IhavenowgivenyoumyviewsdearFather,&leaveitforyoutodecide“thequestion.”…Pleasereplytothisatonce,asMrs.P—couldprobablysupplymyplaceifsheknewintimewhetherIwillcertainlyleave.Ishouldhavewrittentoyoubeforebutneverknewwhereyouwere.Ioftenthinkofyourlabors&thefatiguewhichyouareundergoing&wishthatIcouldpreventboth.Ihavewrit-tensomewhathurriedlyhavingarecitationtopreparefor.GodblessyoudearFather. —Yourdevotedchild Annie J. Wise.

Richmond,February6,1855.MydearFather— …EveryweekbringsmethetidingsfromOnlythatMotherisconstantlysickandconfinedtohercouch—andsomiserabledoesitmakemetothinkofherassick,suffering,andalone,sofullyamIcon-vincedthathomeisnowmypropersphereofdutythatIamwilling,evenprefer,toreturnthereattheendofthishalfsession…IwishyoutoreplyatoncedearFather,asMrs.P—mayhavetorefusenewboardersifIdonotleave,&ifIdoshecanbyknowingintimesupplythevacancywhichmydeparturewouldoccasion…InowleaveitforyoutodecidewhatIamtodo,&shallanxiouslyawaityourreply.IoftenthinkofyoudearFatheramidstyourlabors&wishthatIcouldshareyourfatigue.ThatGodwillblessandprotectyouisevertheprayerofYourdevotedChild,Annie J. Wise.

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l MaryLyonsWise:

WritingtoJosephFuquaonnovember14,1855,HenryA.Wisedescribedhiswife’scondition:

MydearSir— IgothomefromWashington,lastSaturday,andfoundyoursdatedthe1stand27thOctober.IdidnotgotoBedlamforpoliticsbuttoseemysweet,sufferingwifewhohasbeenapatientthereformonthsinthehandoftheDoctor.ThankGod!SheisnowbetterandmaybeabletogowithmetoRichmondattheendoftheyear…”(LibraryofVirginia)

MaryLyonsmayhavebeenaninvalidmuchofthetime,andwasoftensickwithdiarrhea,whichatthetimewastreatedwithopium.AsdescribedinGeorgeB.Wood’sTreatise on the Practice of Medicine,1858,diarrheawastreatedasfol-lows:“Inbiliousdiarrhea,withbright-yelloworgreenpassages,agentlecathar-ticmayfirstbeadministeredwithorwithoutlaudanum,andthensmalldosesofcalomelandopium,aboutthesixthofagrainoftheformertothetwelfthofagrainofthelatter,forexample,everyhourortwo…[afterdiscussingotherremedies]. With all these remedies it is usually proper to combine opium.”There isaclearreference toopiuminAnnie JenningsWiseHobson’sDiary,Chapter9,writtenatEastwoodwhereMaryLyonsvisitedduringtheCivilWar.Severalpageshavebeenremovedfromthediarysuggestingthatsomeonemayhavewantedtodeletethementionofopium. —Editor’s note.

l Twolettersaboutaletter:

February3rd,1855.[MaryLyonsWisetoHenryA.Wise]Thepaperstellmeyouaredoingtoomuch&willbreakdown.Pleasedon’tspeakallthewayhome,lettheDemocratsdosomethingforthemselves.Richardandnénéhavegonetospendthedaywith“Peggy.”Johnnydidn’tcaretogo,andisbusywaitingonme—heisthemostenergetic&attractivechildIeversaw,isbadsometimeslikeotherchildren,buthisverybadnesshasacharmaboutit!nowyou’llsayIampartial.Iam,buthestudieswell&ifIreprovehimhethinksitallrightandbehavessoproperlythatIcanhardlyrefrainfromputtinghiminmyheartandkissinghimwhileinthesameactoflookinggrave displeasure.Hewroteyouhisfirstletteronthe8thJan.,enclosedinmine.YouhavenotreceivedthemIsuppose,buthewatchesthemailwiththeutmostintentforareply…Thegardenisbeingpreparedforpeas,cabbagesandIwishyouroatswerein.UnlessMondayshouldbecoldIsupposeHenrywillhavethemhardatworkfinishingthem.IhavewrittentwicetoObesinceyouleftme,enclosedoneofyourletterstohimandgavehimeverythingIcouldgatherofyourmovements&probablesuccess.IwrotetoMr.ParkertosendmysheepbyCpt.Hopkins.Hewrotebackaverypolitenote,offeringtodoanythingforme,andinformingmethathesenttheani-malsinnovember…Yoursheeplookverywell—theypaymefrequentvisits,attractedbytheprettyprospect&prettiershrubs.Ifyouhaveanychange to sparewon’tyougetmeafewflowerseedinRichmond…Adieu.Mayheavenblessyou&speedyousafelytoyourwife.M. L. Wise.

Lynchburg,Va.January19th,1855.Mydear“Manchild”John— Yournotewasthesweetestnoteintheworld,

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exceptMother’sandnéné.Do,myboy,takecareofmylambs—yourlambs.IwillpayyouandblackJohnaninepenceforeveryoneyousave…Youmustnotjoinyourwordssoclosetogetherthattwowordsseemoneword.Butyoudidfirstrateforthefirsttrial,andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbeafullmanbyMother’straining,ifyouwillbutmindher&attendyourbook.now,howdoyougetaroundmywifesothatshecan’twhipyouwhenyouarebad?Don’tyouseehowshelovesyou?Thenyoumustloveher…KissMother&Richard&nénéallforme.Whydon’tRichardwrite?Begoodchildren,TakecareofMotherforyourfather,Henry A. Wise.Feb.12th1855.Ifearyouwillbequiteexhaustedreadingmynumerousletters…IonlyknowIfeellikereadingonefromyoueverday,butalasIama“forlornwoman”(andnotsuchabelleasyouare.)…OnSaturdayIwroteyouthatmysickness,afterlasting7days,haspassedaway.TodayIamcompelledtoliedownbecauseithasreturned.Why,Iknownot,forIhavenotleftmyroomsincethe3rdFebruary&thenonlywenttotheparlor.Ihavenopain,nouncomfortablefeeling,butalittledebilityfromthiscontinueddrainonme.HenryenclosesaletterfromPhil—whichcamelastnight…Theice-houseisfull,aren’tyouglad?Ican’twriteanymore…Whydon’tyourotherletterscome.YourdevotedM. L.

l Aletterfromonebrothertoanother:

Berlin,September18th,1855.DearbrotherJohn— IwasverygladtoreceiveyourletteroflastJune,—gladtoseethatyoucanwritemealetterallbyyourselfwithoutspellingasinglewordwrong,andinahandwritingjustaboutasgoodasyourelderbrotherhimselfcanscratchoff;andaboveallIwasgladtolearnbyitthatmydearoldBusterisjustwhatheusedtobe,andstilllovesmewellenoughtoquarrelbecauseIdon’twritetohim.But,Johnyou’reasavvydog—justassavvyasyoueverwere.Whatbusinesshaveyougottellingmethat“IthinkmyselfsograndthatIcan’twritetoalittleboyinoldVirginia”?Eh!Sir,whatdoyoumean?Don’tyouseethatthatisn’tthestyleofrespectandreverence,andallthatsortofthing,inwhichyououghttoaddressyourelder?Andbesides,itisallyourownfaultthatIdidn’twritetoyou.Don’tyourememberthatyouwrotetomelastwinterayearago,andaskedmetogetyoualittlebookliketheGermanboysreadoutof?Well,IkeptputtingoffwritingtoyoutoseeifIcouldn’tfindonetosuit,andIcan’tnow.So,Ihavejustpickedoverapileofnewspaperstogettwoorthreefunnyonesforyou.Ithinkyouwilllikethepictures.Thereadingisveryfunnytoo,andyoumustgetsomeDutchmantotranslateitforyou,—andifyou’llwritetomeagain,I’llsendyousomemore.AndwhenIcomehomeI’llbringyouaparcelofbooks,—andyou’llhavetolearnGerman,soastoreadthem.AndI’vegotawholepileofpictures.WhenIwenttravelinglastyear,IboughtpicturesofalltheplacesIcameto.I’vegotabouttwohundredofthem,andI’mgoingtohavethemallboundinabook;sothatwecanlookoverthemandtalkaboutthem,andsearchoutalltheplacesonthemap.Won’tthatbenice?IsendyouwiththisaletterforMother;andyoumusttellnénéandDicktowritetome,andgivemylovetoIda;—andwhenyouwritetomeagain,youmusttellmewhatyouaregoingtodowithallthehorseswhenyougotoRichmond.Youraffec-tionatebrother,O. Jennings Wise.(VirginiaHistoricalSociety)

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TheCampaignforGovernor

JamesHambleton’sdescriptionofthecampaignin1856:

Mr.Wiseisfivefeetelevenincheshigh;hisaverageweightis130pounds;heisremark-ablylean;wasoriginallyfairskinned,butisnowswarthy,hishairisalightauburn,andwas,whenyoung,almostflaxen,whichhegenerallywearslong,andbehindhisears;hisheadislarge,withgreatdepthbetweenthetemples;hisforeheadislow,butbroad;hiseyeslarge,grayanddeepset,archedbyaheavyandremarkablyexpressivebrow,whichbyturnsshowsalltheworkingsoftheinnerman;hisnoseislargeandprominent,andiswhatmightbetermedaVirginia nose;hismouthiscapacious;hislipsratherthick;his jaws lankandflorid; chinbroadandprominent,with furrough fromthecentredownwards;hewasoriginallyverystraitandactive,butbeginstostoopalittle.Uponthewholeheisnotahandsomeman,butonethatwillinanyassemblageimpressthebeholderwithhismanlyanddefiantfeatures.Heisanexcessivecheweroftobacco,butneversmokes,andrarelydrinksanythingofanalcoholiccharacter.Mr.Wiseisremark-ablyabstemiousandregularinallhishabitsexceptchewingtobacco. Thuswehavesketched,inassuccinctamanneraspossible,thelifeofoneofthemostillustriousmeneverrearedinthiscommonwealth.Mr.WisecombinesqualitiesthateminentlybefithimtosteerthehelmofStatethroughtroubledtimes,especiallythroughthisthreateningcrisis.Thoroughlyacquaintedandlargelyexperiencedinthemachineryofgovernment,possessingwideandcomprehensiveviewsoftherequire-mentsof thenation,firm,decidedand inflexible, the fearless tribuneof thepeople,heiscompetenttothehighestdutiesofState.Hiscourse,triumphantdefenceoftheDemocratic faith inthe lategubernatorialcampaigninthisState,entitlehimtothehighestconsiderationandlastingendearmentofallwholiveandwishtoperpetuatetheUnionoftheStates. JeffersonhasmadehismemoryimmortalastheauthoroftheDeclarationofInde-pendenceandReligiousToleration;MasonastheauthoroftheBillofRights;JacksonbyseveringBankandGovernment;andHenryA.Wiseby“crushingout,”fromalllaw-abidingStates, thatmostdetestable, insidious, loathsome,Protean-like,baneful,andcontemptibleofallisms—Knownothingism.Heisthegreatbenefactorofthepeopleofthenineteenthcentury.Longmayhelivetoenjoywithhisfellowcitizensthefruitsofhislabours.Mayhewear,withrepublicansimplicityandfidelity,thehonorsofhiscountry,andpreserveunsulliedanduntarnishedthosethatstillawaithim.

—JamesP.Hambleton,A Biographical Sketch of Henry A. Wise.

Ex-GovernorWilliamE.CamerondescribingWise’scampaignforGovernor:

Hewasthenintheprimeoflife,andinperson,manner,voice,andmentalequipmenttheideal leaderofaforlornhope.ElectedtoCongressin1833,hehad,bylengthyserviceinthatbodyandbyintimateassociationwiththerulingintellectsoftheage,acquiredknowledgeofpublicaffairsandareadinessindebatewhichgavethefullestplaytohisnaturalpowersoforatory.Tall,lithe,yetmuscular,aframeofsteel,knitwith nerves; his face, clean-shaven, had the rigid lines of a classic cameo, but hisexpressionvariedtosuithisrapidmoodssothattheauditorcouldalmostanticipatehiswords.Hisgesturewaseloquenceitself,powerful,yetrestrained.Hiscommandoflanguagewasunequalled…Hisvoice,too,hadthecompassofanorganpipe,andrangedfromthepersuasivesoftnessofalutetothemetallicringofthebuglenote.Addtoallthisthemagnetismwhichdefiesanalysis,whichforcesothermentolisten

ShortlyafterhebecameGover-nor,WiseCounty,Virginia,wasnamedafterHenryA.Wise.

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andthencompelsthemtobelieve;acourageasuncalculatingasthatofasea-hawk,astrengthofconvictionasabsoluteaseversustainedamartyratthestake;andthereyouhaveanimperfectportraitofthemanwhoflunghimselfsingle-handedagainstanepidemicoffanaticism(theKnow-nothings),andwonthefight…Themodelofacampaignspeakerandamasterofinvective,Wisewasineverywayfittedtostriketerrortotheheartsofthemembersofthenewsecretorder,andfromtheChesapeaketothebanksoftheOhioandtotheTennesseeline,hecanvassedtheState,deliver-ingspeechesofimpassionedeloquenceandconvincinglogic.Everywhereenormouscrowdsgreetedhimwithunboundedenthusiasmandpeoplerodeonhorsebackfiftymilesacrossthemountainstohearhim. —BartonHaxallWise,The Life of Henry A. Wise of Virginia.

Know-Nothings—TheKnow-nothingpartyoriginatedinnewYorkCityasasecretanti-immigrant and anti-Catholic society. Members of the party proclaimed that“AmericansmustruleAmerica”andby1854itwasanationalorganization.ArticleVIofTheConstitutionof theUnitedStates reads:“noreligious test shall everberequiredasaqualificationforanyofficeofpublictrustunderthisgovernment.”TheConstitutionofVirginiareads:“nomanshallbecompelledtofrequentorsupportany religious worship, place or ministry whatever; nor shall any man be enforcedorrestrained,molestedorburthenedinhisbodyorgoods,orotherwisesuffer,onaccountofhisreligiousopinionorbelief;butallmenshallbefreetoprofess,andbyargumenttomaintain,theiropinionsinmattersofreligion,andthesameshallinnowiseaffect,diminishorenlargetheircivilcapacities.”TheConstitutionoftheKnow-nothingPartyread:“TheobjectofthisorganizationshallbetoresisttheinsidiouspolicyoftheChurchofRome,andotherforeigninfluencesagainsttheinstitutionsofthecountry,byplacinginallofficesinthegiftofthepeople,orbyappointment,nonebutnativebornProtestant citizens.”TheKnow-nothing oath:“You further-morepromiseanddeclarethatyouwillnotvotenorgiveyourinfluenceforanymanforanyofficeinthegiftofthepeople,unlesshebeanAmericanborncitizen,infavorofAmericansrulingAmerica,norifhebeaRomanCatholic.”Thepartydisbandedafter1856.Writinginhisbook,Seven Decades of the Union,HenryA.WisedescribedtheKnow-nothingmovement:“Itwasthemostimpiousandunprincipledaffiliationbybadmeans, forbadends,whicheverseizeduponlargemassesofmenofeveryopinionandparty,andswayedthemforabriefperiodblindly,asifbyaVehmgeri-chte!” —Editor’s note.

TheCampaignasdescribedbyBartonHaxallWise:

InhisaddressesWisedidnotconfinehimselftotheissueofKnow-nothingismalone,butdweltatlengthuponhisfavoritetopicsofpublicimprovementsandtheindustrialdevelopmentoftheState.Oftentimeshishearers,whocameexpectingtohearapoliti-caldiscussionsolely,wereentertainedforhoursbyadissertationupontheminerals,woods,andwater-poweroftheState,theencouragementofmanufacturers,andtheneedofimprovedtransportationfacilities,etc…Heurgedtheneedofacompletesys-temofpubliceducation,suchaswascontemplatedbyJefferson,andaStateschoolofscientificagriculture.Virginia,hedescribedasbeing‘intheanomalousconditionofanoldStatethathasallthecapacitiesofanewone—ofanewStatethathasallthecapacitiesofanoldone.’Onthesubjectofslavery,hepointedoutthesteadygrowthof abolitionism throughout the north, and declared that the Know-nothings wereabolitionistsindisguise,whichassertionseemedinameasureconfirmed,bythelarge

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numberofextremiststhroughoutthenorthandnewEnglandwhowereprominentinthesecretorder.Hewasunsparinginhisdenunciationofthisclass,andofwhatheconsideredtheencroachmentsupontherightsoftheSouth… Onthe24thdayofMay,1855,whathadbeenoneofthemostexcitingcampaignsthathaseveroccurredinthiscountrycametoanend,andtheviva voceofthepeopleofVirginiawasgivenfortheDemocraticstandard-bearer.ThetotalvoteoftheStatewas156,668,ofwhichWisereceived83,424votes,Flournoy73,244,beingamajorityof10,180fortheformer.ThroughoutthenorthernStatestheresult inVirginiahadbeen watched with intense interest… The triumphant march of the secret order inAmericawasthenceforwardbroken,andthe‘darklantern’hadlostitattractiveness,forinadditiontoVirginia,Georgia,Alabama,Louisiana,andMississippigavetheirverdictagainstthenewmovement,andKnow-nothingism,insteadofsuccessfullyinvadingtheSouth,receivedanoverwhelmingdefeat… …Onthe1stofJanuary,1856,hetooktheoathofofficeasgovernor,withoutanyinauguralceremony,andentereduponthedischargeofhisduties.

—BartonHaxallWise,The Life of Henry A. Wise of Virginia.

1856

OnJuly9,1856AnnieJenningsWisewasmarriedtoFrederickPlumerHob-sonintheGovernor’sMansioninRichmond.Anniehadearlierwrittentoherbrother,Obadiah,theninParis,aboutthewedding.Obadiahresponded:

YourletterofJune5threachedmejustintimetoletmeknowbefore-handthattodayisyourweddingday.Averybright,pleasantdayitishere,andstrangetosay,notatalldifferentfromseveralotherdaysprevious;…Thewholethingmixesupallsortsofideasandremembrances,—pleas-

Henry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia. Engraved by A. B. Walter, Philadelphia. Used as the fron-tispiece in James P. Hambleton’s BiographicalSketchofHenryA.Wise.

Virginia State Capitol, Richmond. Photo from HistoricVirginiaHomesandChurches by Robert A. Lancaster, Jr.

Frederick Plumer Hobson, 1833–1868.

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antandunpleasant,—seriousandcomical,—andcarriedmebackwardandforwardthroughallthescenesofournineteenyears’acquaintance—anditseemstomethatsomemanwhosefaceIamunacquaintedwithisabouttotakeuntohimselfforawife,—alittlered-facedinfant,—alittlegirlinshortfrocks,—aslenderdamselofthirteensummers,—amaidenofsixteenwhohasbeguntowearherhairandbodicelikeawoman,—andafullgrownwomanwhomIthinkabout,buthaveneverseen,—allinaheap,—andthatsomehowIoughttofeelalittlemorepatheticaboutthetransac-tionthanIreallydo. —WilliamM.Adkins,Obadiah Jennings Wise ’50: A Sketch of His Life, IndianaUniversityAlumniQuarterly,1937–1938.

OnApril22,1857AnnieWiseHobsongavebirthtoJohnCannonHobsonintheExecutiveMansioninRichmond,perhapstheonlytimethataGovernor’sgrandsonhasbeenborninthathouse.Soon,AnniewouldmovetoEastwoodin Goochland County, west of Richmond. John Cannon Hobson had givenEastwoodtohissonPlumerHobson,andhehadgivenotherlargefarms,How-ard’sneckandSnowdentotwoothersons.

1858

Eastwood,September23,1858.MydearFather— Imustnolongerdelaythankingyouforthebeautifulcupyousenttomy little Henry Wise.ItisashandsomeaoneasIeversaw,&muchhandsomerthanbabiesusuallyreceive.Mayheprovehimselfworthyofthegift,&ofthenamehebears! TomeitisvaluableasanevidenceofmydearFather’saffection,&ofthehonorconferreduponmein being permitted to name a sonafterthe Governorofmystate,&onewhoshallstandamongstmycountry’sgreatmenintheannalsofherhistory—who is now in my estimation her greatest man. YouwillseebymylettertoMotherthatMr.Hobsonisabsent…Heseemsverycheerful.Heoccupieshimselfattendingtohiscorrespondence&reading.Intheeveningwetakeaquickgameofchesstogether.IhopethatyouwillbringMotherup&paymeavisitsoon. —Yourdevotedlyattacheddaughter, Annie J. W. Hobson.

Eastwood,Dec.11th,1858.MydearMother— Iwriteanexcitingdayhasjustpassedforourlittlehousehold.Henrywasbaptizedbetweenfather&mebyhisUncleHenry.AsIdesiredsomewhattohonortheeventIinvitedtheneighborstowitnessit.Mrs.&Mrs.Seddon&theirchildren,Mr.&Mrs.G—,Mrs.BillingandalltheyoungfolksfromMrs.Morison’swerehere.Igavethemallakindofcoldcollation.AsTomwassickIhadtoexertmyselfconsiderablytohavethingscomme il faut&Ifeelquitetiredtonight.IwishthatyoucouldhavewitnessedwithFatherhowHenrybehaved.Hewaslaughing&cooingallthetime.WhenthewaterwasputonhimhelaughedinhisUncle’sface.DedicatingachildtoGodistrulyasolemndutyinlife.IendeavoredtodaytotakeholdofallGod’sgraciouspromiseswithearnestfaithandtosendmywholehearttoGodinprayerfrommylittleone.

my little Henry Wise HenryWiseHobson,namedafterhisgrandfatherHenryAlexanderWise,wasbornonJuly9,1858.

Uncle Henry HenryA.Wise,Jr.,1834–1869

Governor’s Mansion, Photo from HistoricVirginiaHomesandChurches by Robert A. Lancaster, Jr.

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Iamgreatlygratifiedthatyoualllikedthesausagemeatsowell.IhavesomesauceforFatherwhichIhopeyouwillfindequallyasgoodasIhavetakenagreatdealofpainwiththem.I’llendeavortosendyousomeeggsforXmas.notonlyMr.Hobson&IregretthatthechildrencannotcomeupatXmasbutalltheyoungpeopleintheneighborhoodaredisappointedthattheywillnotbehere.MyXmaswillbetrulydullwithoutthem.WeshallhaveaquiettimeatEastwood.IamsuremydearMotherthatyouwillnotregrethalfasmuchasIdothatIcannottakethenewYear’sdinnerwithyou&Father.Butthatisatimethatitisalmostimpossibleontheselargeplantationstoleavehome.Andthentooitissuchabadseasonoftheyeartotravelaboutwithyoungchildren.Anychangeissoapttogivethemcold.HenryandCannonseemsowellnowthatIwanttokeepthemso,thewholewinter.I’dnotexpectthatwewillgodownagainsoonerthantheSpring.IwishthatIcouldhaveenjoyedFather’sbirthdaywithyouall.Godgrantitthathemaybesparedtoseemanymore.Ah!itissuchasadthingtometothinkthatyouwillsosoonleaveRichmond.Ishallfeelsofarawayfromyouall…Ithinkofyouveryveryoftenandneverforgetyouinmyprayers.IloveyouverydearlyMother.IhavewantedmoreoflatetobewithyouthanIeverdidbefore.OftenIhavethought—“ifIcouldonlyenjoyonehour’stalkwithMother!”Apressofhouseholdcares&dutieshasbeenmycrossandtemptationsincemyreturnhome…Ihaveenjoyedsomepleas-anteveningslatelyreadingBoat Life on the NilebyPrime.Hewritesinaneasy,agreeablestyle&givesmeadelightfulideaofBoatlifeinEgypt…TellJohnnyandnénéthatIamsopoorthisXmastheymustnotexpectapresent.IhavetoldDickthesame…IreceivedsuchakindletterfromMrs.HobsonbyRichard.Sheissotrulygoodandkindtome.HavingheardIstillhadacoldshesentmetherecipeofaremedyforit,andofferedtodoagreatdealofworkforme,assheknowsthatTomissick&Maria,thecook,also.Thelatterhasadaughter.IfDr.Deanethinksitadvisable,weareatoncegoingtosendthemotherMariatotheInfirmaryinRichmond.Ourlovetoall.Idohopethatyouarebetter. —Trulyyourattacheddaughter,A. J. W. Hobson.

“ThebazaarsofCairohavebeenfrequentlydescribed.Thestreetsarealittlewiderwheretheshopsabound,andareusuallyroofedover,admittingsunshinebywindowsinthemattingorcloseroof,onlyatmid-day.Businesshoursarefromabouteleventothree.noshopisopenlongerintheprincipalbazaars.IhavemorethanoncefoundamerchantclosinghisshopandhavebeenrefusedanarticleIwishedtopurchase…Atmid-daythebazaarsarecrowded,jammed,withpassers-byorpurchasers,womenwithvailed[sic]faces,anddonkeysloadedwithwater-skins,Turks,Bedouins,camels,dromedaries,andhorses,allmingledtogether,forside-walkorpavementthereisnone,and it is thereforeat the riskof constantpressureagainst thefilthiest specimensofhumanity,andconstantcollisionswithnetsoffleasandlice,thatonepassesthroughthenarrowstreets… “…Hereitwasthenile.nodream,nohalfriver,nosmallstreamofdashingwater,butthatgreatriverofwhichwehadread,thought,anddreamed;theriveronwhichprincesinlong-forgottenyearshadfloatedpalacesandtemplesfromfarup,downtotheirpresentabode; the riverwhichAbrahamsaw,andoverwhichMoses stretchedouthisarminvengeance;wherethegoldenbargeofCleopatrasweptwithperfumed

Tom,abutlerandslaveatEast-wood

“IhaveenjoyedsomepleasanteveningslatelyreadingBoat Life on the NilebyPrime”

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breezes,andwhen,butafewyearslater,shewasdeadandhermagnificencegone,thefeeblefootstepsoftheSonofGod,ininfancyonearth,hallowedthebanksthattheidolatryofthousandsofyearshadcursed;theriverofwhichHomersang,andIsaiahprophesied,andinwhosedarkwatersfellthetearsoftheweepingJeremiah;theriverofwhichallpoetswrote,andphilosopherstaught,alllearning,allscience,allartspokeforcenturies.Thewatersatourfeet,murmuringdashing,brawlingagainstthefounda-tionofthepalace,comebythestatelyfrontofAbouSimbal,hadloiteredbeforetheruinsofPhilæ,haddashedoverthecataractsanddancedinthestarlightbyLuxorandKarnak.FromwhatremoteglensofAfrica,fromwhatEthiopianplainstheyrose,wedidnotnowpausetothink,buthavinglookedlongandearnestlyupthebroadreachoftheriver,weturnedintothepalace,andafterpipesandcoffee,theuniversalgiftofhospitalityhere,wereturnedtoourboat. “Thenileitself,atfirst,sadlydisappointedme.Iconfesstoideasofaclearandglo-riousriver,liketheswiftOhio,flowingovergoldensandandshiningstones.Ihadneverpausedtoaskmyselfwhencecameitsfertilizingpowers,orwhencethevastdepositsofsoftmudthatenrichthelowerpartofEgypt;andwhenIsawthestrongstreaminthehotsunshine,lookingmorelikeflowingmudthanwater,Iwasunwillingtocallthisthenile.UtilitywasnotwhatIwantedtoseeintheriver.Beauty,majesty,power,alltheseIhadlookedfor,andtherewasnothingofthemuntilthesunwentdown,andthemoongilded—notsilvered—thestream.Thenitwastheriverofmyimagination—astrong,amightyflood,gloriousinitsdeep,strongflow,andtheunsightlybanks,which,intheday,areabruptwallsofblackmud,inlayerslookinglikehugeunbakedbrick,becomepicturesqueandfairlybeautifulwithwavinggrovesofsontandpalms,andglisteningfieldsofdoura.” —WilliamC.Prime,Boat Life in Egypt and Nubia.

October–December1859

l FromThe End of an ErabyJohnS.Wise:

TheattackofJohnBrownuponHarper’sFerrycameuponVirginialikeaclapofthun-deroutofaclearsky. IntheafternoonofOctober17,1859,I[JohnS.Wise]waspassingalongMainStreetinRichmond,whenIobservedacrowdofpeoplegatheringaboutthebulletinboardofanewspaper. In thosedays,newsdidnot travel sorapidlyasnow;besideswhich,thetelegraphlinesattheplacefromwhichthenewscamewerecut. Thefirstreportread—“There is trouble of some sort at Harper’s Ferry. A party of workmen have seized the Government Armory.” Soonanothermessageflashed:“The men at Harper’s Ferry are not workmen. They are Kansas border ruffians, who have attacked and captured the place, fired upon and killed several unarmed citizens, and captured Colonel Washington and other promi-nent citizens of the neighborhood. We cannot understand their plans or ascertain their numbers.” By this time an immense throng had assembled, agape with wonder. naturallyreflectingthattheparticularsofanoutbreaklikethiswouldfirstreachthegovernor,Idartedhomeward.Ifoundmyfatherinthelibrary,rousedfromhisafternoonsiesta,intheactofreadingthetelegramswhichhehadjustreceived.TheyweresimplytotheeffectthatthearsenalandgovernmentpropertyatHarper’sFerrywereinpossessionofabandofrioters,withoutdescribingtheircharacter.IpromptlyandbreathlesslytoldwhatIhad

John Brown’s Fort, the armory engine house where John Brown was captured after his unsuccessful raid on the United States Armory in Harper’s Ferry, October 16, 1859. This incident, and all of the events surrounding it, contributed significantly to the disintegration of the Union and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. Harper’s Ferry was then in Virginia but is now in West Virginia.

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seenonthebulletinboards,and,whileIwashurriedlydeliveringmynews,othermessen-gersarrivedwithtelegramstothesameeffectasthosepostedinthestreets.Thegovernorwasbythistimefullyaroused.Hewaspromptinaction.HisfirstmovewastoseizetheVirginiacode,takeareference,andinditeatelegramaddressedtoColonelJohnThomasGibson,ofCharlestown,commandantofthemilitiaregimentwithinwhoseterritorytheinvasionhadoccurred,directinghimtoorderout,forthedefenseoftheState,themilitiaunderhiscommand,andimmediatelyreportwhathehaddone… …IwaspromptlydispatchedtosummontheSecretaryoftheCommonwealth,theAdjutant-General,andthecolonelandadjutantoftheFirstRegiment… Inthosedays,thetrackrandownthecentreofthestreet,andthedepotwasinthemostpopularportionofthecity.newsofthedisturbancehavinggoneabroad,itwasaneasytasktoassembletheregiment;and,bythetimeappointed,allRichmondwasonhandtolearnthetruemeaningoftheoutbreak,andwitnessthedepartureofthetroops… Themassesofthepopulaceswarmingaboutthesoldierspresentedeveryvarietyofexcitement,interest,andcuriosity. Asforme,my“mannishness”(thereisnootherwordexpressiveofit)wassuchthat,forgettingwhataninsignificantchitIwas,Iactuallyattemptedtoaccompanythetroops. Transportedbyenthusiasm,Irushedhome,donnedalittlebluejacketwithbrassbuttonsandanavycap,selectedaVirginiariflenearlyhalfastallagainasmyself,riggedmyselfwithapowder-hornandbullets,and,availingmyselfofthedarkness,creptintothelineofKCompany.Thefile-closersandofficersknewme,andindulgedmetotheextentofnotinterferingwithme,neverdoubtingthematterwouldadjustitself.Othersmallboys,whogotasightofmestandingthere,werevariouslyaffected.Someweregreenwithenvy,whileothersridiculedmewithpleasantsuggestionsconcerningwhatwouldhappenwhenfathercaughtme. Intimetheordertoembarkwasreceived.Icameto“attention”withtheothers,wentthroughtheorders,marchedintothecar,andtookmyseat.Itreallylookedasiftheplanwastosucceed.Alasandalasforthesehopes!Oneincautiousutterancehadthwartedallmyplans.WhenIwenthometocomparisonmyselfforwar,thehouseholdhadbeentoomuchoccupiedtoobservemypreparations.Isucceededindonningmyimproviseduniform,securedmyarms,andhadalmostreachedtheouterdoorofthebasement,whenIencounteredLucy,oneoftheslavechambermaids. “Hi!Mars’John.Wharisyougwine?’exclaimedLucysurprised. “ToHarper’sFerry,”wastheproudreply,andoffIsped. “Ideclar’,Ib’leevethatboythinkshisselfaman,sho’’nuff,”saidLucy,assheglidedintothehouse.ItwasnotlongbeforeshetoldEliza,thehousekeeper,whointurnhur-riedtomyinvalidmotherwiththenews.ShesummonedJim,thebutler,andsenthimtofatherwiththeinformation. nowJim,thebutler,wasoneofmynaturalenemies.However,theSouthernmanmayhavebeenmasterofthenegro,therewerecompensatoryprocesseswherebycertainnegroesweremastersoftheirmasters’children.neverwasautocracymoreabsolutethanthatofaVirginiabutler.Jimmayhavebeenfather’sslave,butIwasJim’sminion,andfeltit.TherewasnopotentateIheldingreaterreverence,notyrantwhosemandatesIheardingreaterfear,noogrewhosegraspIshouldhavefeltwithgreaterterror.Thisstatementmaynotbefullyappreciatedbyothers,butwilltoucharesponsivechordintheheartofeverySouthern-bredmanwhopassedhisyouthinahouseholdwhere“UncleCharles,”or“UncleHenry,”or“UncleWashington,”oruncle somebody,wielded the sceptreof

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authorityasfamilybutler.Blesstheiroldsouls,deadandgone,whatdidtheywantwithfreedom?Theyownedandcommandedeverythingandeverybodythatcameintotheirlittleworld.Eventheirownmastersandmistressesweredependentuponthemtoanextentthatonlyincreasedtheirsenseoftheirownimportance.WhatSouthernboywilleverforgettheterrorsofthatfrownwhichmethimatthefrontdoorandscannedhismuddyfoot-marksonthemarblesteps?Whatroarwaseverymoreterrible—whatgraspmoreicyorrelentless—thanthoseofhisfather’sbutlersurprisinghiminthecake-boxorthepreserve-jar?Whatcriminal,draggedtojustice,everappearedbeforethecourtmorethoroughlycowedintosubjectionthantheSouthernboyledbeforetheheadofthehouseinthestronggripofthatdomesticdespot? “What!”exclaimedthegovernor,onhearingJim’sreportofmyescapade,“isthatyoungrascalreallytryingtogo?Hunthimup,Jim!Capturehim!Takeawayhisarms,andmarchhimhomeinfrontofyou!”Laughingheartily,heresumedhiswork,wellknowingthatJimunderstoodhisordersandwouldexecutethem. Thinkofsuchauthoritygiventoanegro,justwhenJohnBrownwasturningtheheadsoftheslaveswithideasoftheirownimportance!Isitnotmonstrous?Iwassit-tinginacar,enjoyingthesenseofbeingmycountry’sdefenderstartingforthewars,whenIrecognizedawell-knownvoiceintheadjoiningcar,inquiring,“Gentlemen,isanyovyouseedanythin’ovdeGov’ner’slittleboyabouthere?I’ma-lookin’furhimunderorderstotakehimhome.” Ishovedmylongsquirrel-rifleundertheseatsandfollowedit,amidthelaughterofthoseaboutme.Iheardthedreadfootstepsapproach,andtheinquiryrepeated.novoiceresponded;but,bythesilenceandthetittering,IknewIwasbetrayed.Agreat,shinyblackface,withimmensewhitestotheeyes,peepedalmostintomyown,and,withabroadgrin,said,“Well,Ideclar’!Hereyouisaslas’!Cumout,Mars’John.”ButJohndidnotcome.Jim,aftercoaxingalittle,seizedaleg,and,ashedrewmeforth,clingingtomylongrifle,heexclaimed,“Well,’foredeLord!Howmuchgunhasdatboygot,anyhow?”andthesoldierswentwildwithlaughter. Infullpossessionofthegun,andpushingmebeforehim,Jimmarchedhisprisonerhome.OnceortwiceImadeashowofresistance,butitwasinvain.“Here,youboy!Youbettermindhowyoucutyo’shines.Youmusterlostyou’senses.Yo’fathertoldmetotakeyouhome.Igwinetodoit,too,youunderstand?Efyoudon’tmind,I’lltakeyoustraighttohim,andyouknowandIknowdatifIdo,he’lltareyouupalivefurbotherin’himwithyou’foolishiss,busyezheis.”Irealizedthatitwasevenso,and,sadlycrestfallen,wasdeliveredintomymother’schamber,where,afteralectureuponthefollyofmycourse,IwaskeptuntiltheHarper’sFerryexpeditionwasfairlyonitsway… JohnBrownwastriedfortreason,murder,andincitingslavestoinsurrection.Histrialoccupiedsixdays.Hewasdefendedbyablecounsel,ofhisownselection,fromMassachusettsandOhio.Everywitnesshedesiredsummonedappeared.Theevidenceofhisguiltwasoverwhelming,andhewassentencedtodeath.Anyotherpenaltywouldhavebeenatravestyofjustice,andaconfessionthattheorganizedgovernmentswhichheassailedweremockeries,affordingnoprotectiontotheircitizensagainstmidnightmurderandassassination.DidtheVirginiansexultoverthewretchedvictimofhisownlawlessness?nO! TheNew York Heraldpublishedtheaccountofhowthatverdictwasreceived:“nottheslightestsoundwasheardinthevastcrowd,asthisverdictwasreturnedandread;nottheslightestexpressionofelationortriumphwasutteredfromthehundredspres-ent…norwasthisstrangesilenceinterruptedduringthewholeofthetimeoccupiedbytheformsofthecourt.”

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…TheVirginianstookthelifeofJohnBrowntopreservetheirownlives,andthelivesoftheirwivesandchildren,fromdestruction.Hehad,indeed,“whettedknivesofbutchery”forthem,andhadcomeathousandmilestokillpeoplewhohadneverheardhisname… …Toonewhoknows the truth, themost tantalizing reflectionsupon the JohnBrownraidarethese:Themanwho,ascolonelinthearmyoftheUnitedStates,cap-turedBrown;thegovernorofVirginia,underwhoseadministrationhewasjustlyhung;ay,amajorityofthepeopleofVirginia—wereatheartopposedtoslavery.Uninter-rupted by madmen like Brown, they would have accomplished, in good time, theemancipationoftheslavewithouttheawfulfratricidalsceneswhichheprecipitated.Ofcoursetherearethosewhowillstilldenythis,andconclusiveproofisimpossible.Historytookitscourse…neitherColonelLeenorthegovernorofVirginiawerecham-pionsofslavery.Bothrejoicedatitsfinaloverthrow… WhenVirginiahadperformedherdutyinexecutingBrown,hernextstepwastoinquirewhatsympathyshereceivedinthehourofhertrial.Sheexpected,asshehadaright toexpect, that thenorth,boastingof itssuperiorcivilizationanditsgreaterregardforthemaintenanceofthelawsprotectingpersonandproperty,wouldbeprac-ticallyunanimousincondemnation… Whenitwaslearnedthat,inmanypartsofthenorth,churchesheldservicesofhumiliationandprayer;thatbellsweretolled;thatminute-gunswerefired;thatBrownwasglorifiedasasaint;thateveninthelegislatureofMassachusetts,eightoutofnine-teensenatorshadvotedtoadjournatthetimeofhisexecution;thatChristianmin-istershadbeenpartiestohisschemesofassassinationandrobbery;thatwomenhadcanonizedthebloodthirstyoldlunaticas“St.JohntheJust;”thatphilanthropistshadpronouncedhim“mosttrulyChristian;”thatnorthernpoetslikeWhittierandEmer-sonandLongfellowwerewritingpanegyricsuponhim;thatWendellPhillipsandWil-liamLloydGarrisonapprovedhislife,andcountedhimamartyr,—thenVirginiansbegantofeelthatan“irrepressibleconflict”wasindeeduponthem… …When the troops came back from Harper’s Ferry, they were amply suppliedwithsongs.ThefirstandmostpopularwasoneuponJohnBrown,sungtothetuneofThe Happy Land of Canaan.Ithadanumberofverses,onlyoneofwhichIremember,runningsomethingafterthisfashion:—

“InHarper’sFerrysection,therewasaninsurrection,JohnBrownthoughttheniggerswouldsustainhim,ButoldmasterGovernorWisePuthisspecsuponhiseyes,AndhelandedinthehappylandofCanaan.

REFRAIn“Ohme!Ohmy!TheSouthernboysarea-trainin’,We’lltakeapieceofropeAndmarch’emupaslope,Andland’eminthehappylandofCanaan.”

ItissurprisinghowpopularthisrigmarolebecamethroughtheSouth,andmanyatimeduringthewarIheardtheregiments,astheymarched,singversesfromit.ItisincontrastwiththesolemnswellofJohn Brown’s Body,asrenderedbytheUniontroops.Thelatterisonlyanadaptationofafavoritecamp-meetinghymnwhichIoftenheardthenegroessing,astheyworkedinthefields,longbeforethedaysofJohnBrown.Theoldwordswere:

Henry A. Wise. Courtesy of the Valentine Richmond History Cen-ter, Richmond, Virginia.

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“Mypoorbodyliesa-moulderingintheclay,Mypoorbodyliesa-moulderingintheclay,Mypoorbodyliesa-moulderingintheclay,Whilemysoulgoesmarchingon.

REFRAIn“Glory,glory,hallelujah,Glory,glory,hallelujah,Glory,glory,hallelujah,Asmysoulgoesmarchingon.”

u

“The Insurrection at Harper’s Ferry, Va. — Governor Wise, of Virginia, and District Attorney Ould Examining the Wounded Prisoners in the Presence of the Officers, the Reporter of the N. Y. Herald and our own Special Artist.” John Brown is on the floor at right, being interrogated a few hours after his capture. Known to have been present when Brown was questioned were: Virginia Governor Henry A. Wise, Colonel Robert E. Lee, Virginia Senator James M. Mason, Ohio Congressman Clement Vallandigham, District of Columbia District Attorney Robert Ould, and a reporter from the newYorkHerald. In this illustration from FrankLeslie’sIllustratednews, October 29, 1859, Wise is probably fourth from left. Robert E. Lee, known to have been there in civilian clothes is probably third from left, with his sword. One of Brown’s supporters wrote of the meeting: “In contrast with so many Northern journalists, and to some extent with Vallandigham, the two Virginians (Wise and Mason) proved themselves perfect gentlemen on this occasion.” Photo courtesy of the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.

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78 THEFAMILYLETTERS

1860

Eastwood,March29,1860.ManythanksmyownbelovedFatherforyoursweetblessinguponmyselfandmylittledaughter.Thismorning’smailbroughtittome.EversincethebirthofthelittleoneIhavedesiredtowriteandtellyouaboutit,butofcoursecouldnotusemyeyes. OneofthefirstdesiresIexpressedafteritsbirthwas,“Oh!IfIcouldonlyshowittoFather,”andeverydaysinceIhavewishedthesamething.YouhavedoubtlessheardthatherFathernameditafterme.Iamveryproudof my little Annie Wise forshereallyisanuncommon baby.Sheweighedatleasttwelvepoundsatherbirthandgrowsfinely.Sheisbyfarthelargest&healthiestbabyIhavehad.Shehasmybrowneyes&noseexactlywithverydarkhair.HermouthislikeCannon’s&everyonenoticedthestronglikenessbetweenthem.Herheadisverylarge,&hershouldersverybroad.Shedoesnothingbuteat&sleep.ThankGod,aftersomedaysoftryingsicknessIhavebeendoingwonderfullywell&IgainstrengthasrapidlyasIcouldexpect.Myner-voussystemwassadlyoutofsortsandhaditnotbeenforasafaetida, Ishouldhavebeenveryill,ifnothavedied.MayitpleaseGodtoansweryourprayermydearFather,thatImayhaveagracegivenmetobringupmychildrenforaneternityinHeaven.MayIbeasconscientiousinthedischargeofmydutytowardsthemasmyFatherhasbeentowardsme.AndImustadd,maymydaughterprove“morefaithfulandtrue”tousthanIhavebeentowardsmybelovedparent,forwelldoIknowthatIhaveoftenfailed&beenwantingindutifulness. Thelittleoneiswaking&isasusualravenouslyhungry.Cannon&Henryarewell&hearty.CannonpraystoGodeveryday“pleasebringmyGrandpaback.”IwishthatIcouldrundown&helpyouinyourlonely home.Mr.H—&Ijoininlove. —Yourdevoteddaughter,A.J.W.H.P.S.Excusesuchapoorletter,formyhandsareunsteady&eyesweak.

my little daughter AnnieWiseHobson,bornMarch4,1860,atEastwood.

asafaetida gumresin,ofvari-ousorientalplantsofthecarrotfamily,formerlyusedinmedi-cine.

HenryAWise’stermasGovernorofVirginiaendedonJanuary1,1860.


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