Lists articles he is sending home; discusses making of shingles and payment for them; fashions in Richmond are different from Wythe Co.

February

Mr. James G

Richmond Va

18 ¾

Mrs J T Gleaves
Wythe Coy
Virginia

Richmond January the 20th 1838

Dear Malvina
It is with much pleasure that I hereby acknowledge the Receit of yours of the 13th instant in which I find that you all enjoy tolerable health those that had been sick on the mend, accept mother I am sorry to find that she has not gathered strength since I left home but I have a hope to find her better on my return. I must now add that through the Blessings of a kind providence I have not enjoyed better health for five years than I do at this time

My Dear let me now proceed to tell you of the articles that I have sent home which will be at Wythe C.H. about the 4th or 5th of February to be left at E. McGavock's

1 Barrel of Sugar 1 Bag of Coffee 1 keg of White Lead 2 Do nails I box Raisins 2 do Glass 1 cheese also one Trunk containing your Dress Margaret's bonnet both in the Band Box also 2 Fur Caps one for Allen T. Crockett & one for S. C. Gleaves they are rolled up in a paper Allen's has no chow nor lapels as Samuel's has a chow & a lapel on and is not of to find a quality as Allen's also you will find my hat which contains in it three fur Caps for Wythe James & Robert & some documents which I wish you to distribute as they are directed, your dress is made of the best Black Italian Silk and is the fashion that is worn by ladies of your age here But I am afraid that you will not like it as it differs so much with the fashion of our country I believe it will be a large enough

I am sorry that I did not get your letter in time to have sent your Indigo & Madder if an opportunity should occur I will attend to it, your old Jewelry that you sent I can do nothing at all with it your Dpoins I will take when I go home There are many articles that you wanted that I have not got Articles of the sort that you want I can get almost as cheap in Wythe as here

You Say you want to know something about the number of Shingles that Scott has made that you will find in my account Book  but I Believe it is almost 48 hundred and as to his pay he did not make the Shingles as soon as he was to have done & let him wait untill I get home & I will settle with him for rent pasturage & all, If Wallace wants to make the shingles that I will yet need which is 4 thousand if you can employ him at 2 Dollars pr thousand which is the same that I gave Scott do so & if not do the Best you can with him & have them made before the sap rises in the timber.

I hope that things will go on well at home I know that you are a first rate maniger the winter is fine here – quite warm pleas stir up Youce & Creager about making rails,   I expect to be at home about the 15^th of March & not sooner—

I have understood that old Aunt Polly Turk & Uncle James Turk’s wife are both dead, which is I suppose true But I have this morning recd a letter from uncle James & he says nothing about that but says they are all well

I have paid for the hauling of my things I will send to E. McGavock a list of the different packages that he may know what to receive, the key of the Trunk is tied at one end of the trunk to the handle & the yellow strap nailed over it which is easy discovered & if you like you can have the Band Box left in town for Margaret and also Allen’s cap

I have also sent you a stone Jar & the Lid you will find in the trunk also a half bushel for Frederick Hines

I have not yet thought that I would have to adverstise you but your description is very good so far as you have gone if you could have gone a little further & said the Prettiest women of your age that would have suited with some other things that I must tell you myself, if anything must be done authorize me to apply for a divorce

You will pleas to write to me once at least in every two weeks & let me know the particulars at home as well as in the neighborhood, I am truly sorry to hear of Samuel Crockett’s ill health

I presume that I may say nothing to you about the business of the Legislature – there is nothing a going on that you care about

I have not sold my horse yet – horses are selling low

Let me now conclude by tendering my warmest love for you and a Kiss also to my family in general & every time that you get a letter from me Kiss Robert & James for me & tell Poor Robert that I am here verry often upstairs but not the stairs that he alludes to

And give my Respects to Jno. Crockett & tell him to write to me

I am with love your affectionate husband
J. T. Gleaves

Mrs. Malvina Gleaves