Plummer Papers

To Grandmother & Sisters From Francis

New Orleans
March 17th 1842

Dear Grandmother & Sisters

I arrived here from Aransas yesterday on my way to see you. The news came here you will see by the papers that Texas is invaded by the Mexicans. There was nothing of it when I left a month ago, but there can be no doubt of the truth of it. To that it will be very doubtful if I come on to see you as Texas will have use for every man she can get and I must lay aside my wish to see you. I go and join Father for there is no doubt but that he is in the field before this. It was my intention to have carried you all to Texas but now you see it is for the best that we have been unable to get you out for you would have been in great danger; as hundreds of women and children are upon that frontier.

Father was in excellent bodily health but very uneasy and troubled on your account so that I determined to bring you out, but what would happen he is still collector of the Port of Aransas but Texas money has depreciated so that he has been unable to make any provision for you and has depended solely on Uncle how he has attended to you you best know but he says he has done all he possibly could if I do not come on I shall send you every dollar we can both make & scrape together but I fell it will be but little more than will feed and clothe you, but Uncle says that he has debts due him which he may be able to collect and he will then settle some place & get you all with him.

I think it is best for Texas & ourselves that they have invaded for we will now compel them to acknowledge our independence. Uncle received a letter from Sophia yesterday I am glad to hear that you are at least in good health, but Soph do not write such another letter you do not take care enough in writing you should to write correctly practice very often by copying pieces from books by all means learn to spell correctly this you can do without going to school in case we should be unable to send you for you must now be fourteen years old & able to study without a teacher attend to this both of you for it is of great importance that you should acquire the common rudiments of an education & I do not suppose you have so much to do but that you would make it a pleasant pastime also see that Joe learns to read write and spell well another thing be particular on your house keeping for not mentioning the advantage it will be to yourselves it will be a great comfort to Father when we all get together and if I should come on I shall scold you if you do not have a neat house for I am a very good judge. I shall write again to each of you before I leave. If I should not come Uncle will. He is quite well & sends his love to you; all of mine you have & it is with such sorrow that I see a doubt of my being able to come for it depends on our next news and if it is necessary that I should go I feel it my duty to be with Father & he will be sure to join the army

God bless you and in your prayers do not forget us

Yours affectionately
Francis W. Plummer

Contributed by Sylvi

University of Texas at Arlington Libraries Special Collections
Collection: Plummer Papers
Location: GA10
Caption: 1840-1842
Addressed to:
Mrs Mary Plummer
Tuscumdria Ala from New Orleans Mar 39