To Henrietta (Princy) from Mary Charlotte Gex. This letter is to Princy (Henrietta), from Mary Charlotte Gex, the sister of John Antony, (Henrietta’s future husband) after she had been visiting the Gex family. They were delighted with the visit and Mary hints that she is hoping that John will decide to get married soon. John and Henrietta were married the next year, 1848.
Gallatin County September 1, 1847
7o’clock P.M.
My Dear Princy,
I now sit down to answer your kind letter which I should have answered sooner but I have been from home a great deal since you left and the time being so short since you were here (although it already appears to me an age) that there was very little of interest, for me to communicate nor have I am much more now, nevertheless I will tell all I have and if I should like a little to feel this shut out, I shall not be at a loss as I believe I have a credit, Of being pretty good at fabricating though I will deny the charge.
After bidding you all goodbye I concluded in to compulsion to go on to “Madison”. I had forgotten my Fan in the “Ladies Cabin” and whilst brother John had gone to get it the boat started, we had a very dull and lonely time of it, after returning to the “cabin” which you had so lately deserted. I assure you, home would have been much more agreeable to my sad feelings or some others more sequestered place. I know Sallie thought me a moron sullen creature for I could not talk nor I did not wish to hear anyone else’s chat. I wished to be alone, to meditate on the past, and anticipate the future. We spent Saturday in Madison on account of the packet not leaving port until quite late in the evening, all my acquaintances called to see me and wished me to stay with them very much (that is to all appearances) but I felt no other place would or could be congenial to my feelings but home and oh Princy after returning home what a change had came ‘for the scene in the short time of 24 hours, words would fail to picture, my thoughts and feelings. Suffice to say I felt with all the bitterness imaginable “that I was alone” but such is life. Today we may be summoned with all that we hold most dear to our hearts and circumstances on the morrow, may snatch them from our breasts and oh perhaps forever. Who knows but hope (which is said to be the most constant of all things, because it remains with Man after he has had everything else), that cheerer of all human woes still tells us to Hope we will see our meeting yet, ‘‘tis this that deprives the parting hour of half of its regrets.”
I could not realize, for nearly a week, after you all had gone, that it was really so, very often I would catch myself, thinking well now this afternoon I must go up to see Princy and then it would be that I realized the sad reality, my heart would be too full to suppress all so I would take a little cry, I shall not blot it out for I am not ashamed to tell it you, although you may think it’s very silly.
I was glad to hear you arrived safely home and should almost, suppose (did I not wish it otherwise) from the letter of yours to cousin Virginia, which I have this evening had the pleasure of reading, that surrounded as you are, with all things most dear that you had almost or quite forgotten you had ever been on the Ohio. But Princy do not forget those who reside on the banks of this beauteous stream, as they will ever hold the memory of you sacred to all others, it is with pleasing thoughts I avert to the days yes the hours we all spent together, and often wish I could recall them, but dear Princy they are gone, but I hope not forever as I shall hope that at some future day, which I trust is not far off to spend many as happy if not happier in your society.
I received a letter from Miss Woodburn today she gives a glowing account of her visit to Drennon. She mentioned of meeting with you, she has taken quite a fancy to you ,she says she never met a more agreeable an acquaintance in her life. She admires Roger very much though don’t tell him, and says had, she thought it the least worth while, she would have fallen in love with him but he looked to her, like he was engaged and would not dare presume so much as to break an engagement. Brother John, is about to purchase a “farm” don’t you think this looks very like he intends taking unto himself a lady love (?) I do, and have been accusing him of it but he will not acknowledge the (?) But I suppose he thinks it is enough to acknowledge such an intention to the one intended or I imagine would tell me, however I hope I will find out before the jumping off time. I tell him I will feel very proud of a sister in law whoever she is, I hope it will not be long before I will have one.
John and I take a stroll nearly every evening up the road and most generally makes a halt under the shade of that ever to be remembered tree where all used to assemble and divide off. Tell Roger I took a sly peep at ours, this evening, but it appeared rather lonely so I went away. Tell Beck to not wait for me, but to come along, and I will promise to go up with her, at least she shall not lack for company to go home, as there are some others that intend going sometime soon to Clark County. Ma said she wished to put a P. S. in this to you but I will not leave room with my long trudge, so I will say a word or so for her. She says we are all looked very much like we had lost our mates after you left and that she does not know what to do with us. I tried my best to plead indisposition so as to get to visit Drennon but she would not hear to it so I imagine she will have to put up with us. Pa and Ma sends love to you and all. Give my love to Beck (Henrietta’s sister Rebecca) and deary write me soon and tell me all the news you have, be sure now do not put off writing for heaven sake, for I always feel anxious to hear from you. Remember me to Roger and sincere love and good wishes for all your friends are well.
Yourself from your affectionate
Write be sure to write
Friend Molly
Receive Best wishes of your true friend
John A Gex
Dear Mrs. Brooking,
I received your PS with pleasure the only fault I found with it, there was not enough for I always take so much pleasure in reading your letter that I am always sorry when I come to the conclusion of them. I should like very much to accept your kind invitation to visit you, but I will have to deny myself that pleasure at this time, and shall hope it will not be long before I can do so, as nothing would afford me more pleasure. Ma and Pa wishes to be remembered to you and Mr. Brooking my respect to him also, and receive for yourself the most sincere regards
From yours,
Mary Gex
KAREN GEX ASFOUR 
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