Stevens, Oliver Winn. "Letter to Mary A. Stevens, 1837 March 19." In 1830s [Folder]. Valdosta State University Community Archives: Bennett Collection (CA-05), Box 1, Folder 03. Valdosta, Georgia. Retrieved from https://vtext.valdosta.edu/xmlui/handle/10428/7045.

Description:

Letter from Oliver W. (Winn) Stevens, in Walthourville, dated March 19th, 1837, to his betrothed, Miss Mary A. (Anna) Stevens, in which he expresses his love for her and discusses their impending marriage, on March 28th, 1837. 

Subject Headings:

Brooks County (Ga.); Quitman (Ga.); Georgia; Letters; Family histories; Genealogy;
Sunbury (Ga.)

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Transcript:

Walthourville Mar 19th 1837

Dearest M--

I cannot let this last opportunity pass without dropping a line to you. You perceive I have concluded to deny myself the exquisite pleasure of enjoying your society before the 28th. It matters not whether it be a case of necessity or not: circumstances forbade my visiting you the last week, and you know I should be considered an intruder after today. But, thanks to my [stars?], though I am denied the privilege of seeing you, I am by this very circumstance [afforded?] with one more opportunity of [illegible] before our anticipated union. And dearest M-- what you think of it, as the hour draws near? No [repentings?] as yet, no foreboding of ill? Then may our union be cemented with love, strong as death, enduring as life. There can be no [repentings?] hereafter. The nature of the marriage tie is such as not to be [severed?] by any [common?] occurrence in this life. But why need I write in this strain? I am persuaded, Heaven sanctions the step that has been, and is about to be taken. Then I am satisfied. Whatever may transpire hereafter to [mar?] our happiness, I trust I shall be submissive to the will of my Heavenly Father.

Our engagement has been of short duration [comparatively?] and our [interviews?] have been "few and far between." This may account for the embarrassment which we have both experienced and exhibited at times. But it cannot be so much longer; the [?] and misapprehensions, sometimes experienced in the state of courtship, must soon give place to confidence and security, and this diffidence, to [unreserved?] familiarity, enjoyed only by wedded [lovers?]. But I must stop, time will not allow me to proceed. You will have all things ready on the 28th "for the Bridegroom cometh."

My attendants, [Ward?] & [Law?] have promised to be punctual. I offered to carry Olivia to Palmyra yesterday but she does not wish to come until the 27th. I shall go to Sunbury, on that day.

Have you the following names on your list:

Mrs [Thomson?]
Miss Mary [T.?]
Mr [Lothrop?]
Mr [Feay?]
Miss Sarah Law

I do not insist on an answer unless you have time. My love to you mother and tell her I think it best that we should furnish our room principally.

Give [illegible] a kiss.

As ever your loving

S.
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P.S. I received a letter from [?] two days ago, apologizing for his negligence. He says in respect to you, give my very best respects to you very dear Mary and tell her that I do most sincerely congratulate my first [?] and upon the destiny that awaits him.

Do excuse this scrawl and [?], for I am in [?]

S.
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