September 7, 1861. Tina spent the day here. After tea wrote to Winston.

[Octavia Stephens to Winston Stephens] 

                                                                                                Jacksonville Sept 7, 1861

My dear Winston

                I was very glad to receive your nice long letter on Thursday, and glad to hear that you were well for I had felt anxious about you ever since I left.

                Perhaps you had rather see me than this letter, nevertheless notwithstanding I think I will not go this time, as you have given me permission to stay another week.

                Well I began this this morning directly after breakfast so that I would not have to hurry, or have interruptions this afternoon, & when I had written a few lines Tina came and has spent the day with us, after she left I dressed Rosa to go visiting, & myself and now it is getting quite dark, and this must be in the office before nine o’clock to night, so you must excuse all deficiences. I can scarcely see the lines I guess I must go in & get a light, for I am sitting on the front steps.

                I am very sorry for your sake that you are lonely, but I must say I am glad, that I am missed by you, but then the worse people are sometimes the more they are missed.  I hope you will not look for me next Monday, it has rained every day but one since I came down.  I have been out to church twice, to Mrs Reed's once, & across the street once.  Rosa has made more visits than I, she is much admired, she is the prettiest baby I have seen, nearly everyone asks whose baby she is, dont you feel proud? She received a present of a ring this afternoon from Henry Houston, he gave me a small bottle of cologne for you & I.

                Georgie is playing the flute, & Henry is playing with the machine.

                There is a great deal of sickness every where, I hope you all will keep well, we have both been well, Rosa had the colic night before last, from eating potatoe just before night.     

                There was a report here the other day that there was a fleet in sight of Fernandina, & every body, or a great many are beginning to think of leaving, if times get "skcary." Mother may go home with me, but I believe most of the reports are false, storekeepers are even packing up goods.  The men have been drilling right here at the Court House this afternoon, I declare it made me feel dreadfully to think what they were drilling for, you do not know how glad I feel when I think you are not in any company, and I hope & pray you may never be in any.

                I suppose you know all communication is broken off between the North & South, but Mother was fortunate enough to get a letter from Aunts Kate & Mary last week, & they had heard from Father since Mother had, he was better.

                Mother sends love & says you may have me but she will keep Rosa a month.

                I suppose Mr. Gardner did not come last week, as David could not find him on the boat. So you can have the pleasure of Miss Gs company another week if you wish it, don’t run off with her or Mrs. Sams before I get back.

                There is a Sunday boat, but Tina seems to think it will cost more to go on her, then too you have arranged for my passage on the Darlington, so I guess we will leave here on her next Saturday, & I think Capt Brock will let us stay on board. Since writing the last sentence I have been thinking, if I have to go off the boat seems to me it would be cheaper to go up Sunday. I wish you would ask Capt. Brock all about it and write me word next week, I suppose her would charge some more, as he would have to have cooking done for us. I don’t know what to do so please don’t forget to see Capt. B & write me what to do. 

                Well my dear I must close for fear this may be too late for the mail.  Give my love to Ben, and accept lots for yourself from

                                                                                                Your ever affectionate

                                                                                                Wife

P.S. Tell Sarah & all howdye, that Rachael is well, Janes "daddy" came to see Rachael to day.  Big Jane's Sister is well again.