An interesting group of old family papers from the Northern Neck / Northumberland County / Lancaster County area of Virginia. The papers date from about 1817 to the end of the Civil War. The collection consists of about 90 handwritten pages (counting both front & back).

– Many of the pages in this collection consists of deeply affected period POETIC VERSES handwritten from about the 1820s up to the Civil War. One of the most interesting is a 2 ½ page poem of numerous stanzas entitled:

Besides the poetry, there are a number of other INTERESTING ASPECTS to the papers in this collection which include:
- A short handwritten DIARY (1817-1818)
- Scattered GENEALOGICAL records
- There is some interesting FOLK ART "calligraphic" lettering, etc., including an elaborate circular Floral design on one page in this collection.

A more detailed description of the papers in this collection follows:

1 - There are 30 pages in an old bound journal / ledger book with leather spine and brown mottled board covers (the book measures about 8 x 12.5"). Some pages are detached from the binding, and others were apparently torn out long ago and are now missing.
- The handwritten entries appear to be made over a number of years and probably by different people. There are about 17 pages written in one direction and 13 written with the ledger turned upside down.

2 - There are also over 30 loose documents/pages that are not in/from the book. All of these papers come from the same family collection. Much of the collection is in the form of handwritten poetry.


THE GENEALOGY OF THIS FAMILY :

Written in pencil on the front inside cover of the old ledger is "BETSEY G. EDWARDS"

This individual was probably Betty Griffin Edwards (1797-1870s)
The Edwards family were residents of Norfolk and Northumberland Counties of Virginia.

Betty's father was GRIFFIN EDWARDS, who was born in 1768 in Northumberland County. He was the son of THOMAS EDWARDS, Jr., (1725 – 1798) and ELIZABETH FAUNTLEROY, (1731 – 1797). In 1794, he married PRISCILLA LEE, (1770 – 1834). Her parents were KENDALL LEE and ELIZABETH HEALE of Northumberland County.

The children of Griffin Edwards and Priscilla Lee were:

1. ANN PRISCILLA EDWARDS, b. 1795 d. 1818 (Age 22 years) (married Col. Joseph Ball)
2. BETTY GRIFFIN EDWARDS, b. 1797 d. After 1870 (Age > 74 years)
3. LOUISE BUSHROD EDWARDS, b. 1799 d. 1801 (Age 2 years)
4. LUCY LEE EDWARDS, b. 1801 d. 1837 (Age 36 years) (married a Hughlett)
5. LEROY GRIFFIN EDWARDS, b. 1804 d. 1866 (Age 62 years) (was Clerk of Court of Norfolk County from 1858 until 1866)
6. WILLIAM LEE EDWARDS, b. 1807 d. 1878 (Age 70 years)
7. MARY CATHERINE EDWARDS, b. 17 Apr 1810 d. 1853 (Age 43 years)
8. VIRGINIA FAUNTLEROY EDWARDS, b. 17 Apr 1810 (married Thomas Hughlett)

Some of the people recorded above are referred to in the poetry, etc., in this journal and in the detached lot of old family papers.

Aspects of this collection include:



THE SHORT HANDWRITTEN DIARY:
After a section of long ago torn-out pages, the ledger book begins with a short but complete 5 page DIARY (11 Dec 1817 to 19 Feb 1818). The diary entries were probably written by Betty Edwards as a young woman in her early twenties. The diary/remembrance expresses her intense SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS & STRUGGLES.

Some representative excerpts from the diary follow: ( [ . . . ] represent omitted portions of the content )

"December 11 1817 I feel a great desire to leave an record some testimony of the truth of religion and it happy influence on my own mind and heard . . . From my earliest childhood I was impressed with serious thoughts about God and eternity and was terrified at the idea of appearing in judgment. . . . prayers at my mother's knee . . . painful struggle on Nov 3rd of 1815 while listening to a sermon from the Rev Henry Paggot(?) of the Baltimore Conference . . . I was then in my 19th year . . . I united myself with the ME Church . . .

Sunday 13th No religious meeting to attend today . Keep God at home devoted the day to reading meditation & prayer . . .

17th Today being Friday and my Fast Day. Tempter of my soul . . . I almost always have a cross that requires special effort to bear but I find if I am ready as much for the fight having the sword of a spirit and the shield of faith it proves a blessing . . .

21st – Felling more humble and submissive to God's will. Making progress. See more clearly the imperfection s of the heart . . .

28th – God is revealing me more and more about the depravity of my nature. Before I could not have endured the faith . . .

31 Dec 1816 – my unprofitable life has been spared another year. I hope I have gained something . . . Solemnly renew my covenant with God . . . Today we have a good meeting. . . . We sit as under the sanctuary. It was good to be there . . .

22 Jan 1818 – God still bears with me . . . Refiner and purifier of silver . . . throne of Grace . . . Heard a profitable sermon from Brother Thornton . . .

7 Feb -- Some time has elapsed since I wrote in my diary. I have often heard it said there is no standing still in Religion . . . I am afraid I will always be a vacillating Christian.

10 Feb – Lord teach me how to war a good warfare . . . Our preachers are about to leave for Conference. We pass reluctantly with them . . . Her dear brother Thornton preached last night, perhaps for the last time. Many have been added to the church . . . among them five my own dear relations . . . .

19th Feb – My heart how unholy . . ."

Besides the diary, many of the pages in the ledger are handwritten poetry. There are verses both by and about the EDWARDS SISTERS as listed in the family record above. A few of the verses are written by others not in the family.

There are also some GENEALOGICAL entries in the book (1820s to the Civil War). For instance, on the inside back cover of the old ledger the following is written in ink:

"William Harper OUR JOY ARE ALL IMPERFECT HERE BELOW
OUR SWEET PLEASHER MEET WITH BITTER WOE
Lydia Harper was born May the 27 -1829
Margaret Ann Harper was born March the 24 1824"

Another entry in the leather bound ledger book is:

"Lucie H. Hurst was born May 27, 1862 and died July 3, 1863 Now is gone our darling one"
[ a 1 ½ page poetic verse follows that expresses the writer's devastation on the loss of this child ]

Below is a list of every titled poem that is contained n the ledger book, with partial excerpts quoted from some of them:

ON HEARING OF THE SURRENDER OF THE ARMIES OF THE SOUTH
Do ye give the contest up then
Are you willing to be slaves
To the Anabolisian North man
What Virginia's gallant braves
Ye have nobly fought and conquered
On many a Battle field
Still let the host of hirelings know
You've determined not to yield.
Conquer or die – let the Battle cry
Be death or Liberty

Can ye bear to see your homes
Which escapen the vandals torch
And your lands though desecrated
By their desolating march
O'er ruled by vile usurpers
Oppressed and trodden down
While yourselves Virginia's free men
Cringe beneath a tyrant's frown?
No conquer or die - let the battle cry
Be death or liberty

Sons of your noble lives
Who would not bend the knee
To England Lord of Regal Line
Determined to be Free
.
. . The land for which your father's bled
Mt Vernon, sacred Tomb . . .

Tho dark may seem the horizon now
Surely will break the avenging morn
You ever will defend the night
Its but a slumber in the storm

Conquer or die – Let the battle cry
Be death or Liberty.
2 ½ PAGES


REMINISCENCE OF CHILDHOOD
The night has drawn her curtains
Long agon when I was young . . .

Then my brain was full of fancies
That I loved to dwell upon . . .
1 ½ PAGES


TO JENNIE ON HER FIFTH BIRTHDAY
A miniature Woman who hath played well her part
Since the day she arrived on the cords of our heart
And so perfect the power of her touch has become
She commands them at will in discord as sung
Making musick in hearts else shrouded in gloom
And cheering the path way that leads to the tomb . . .

So Jennie our Sunbeam is warming us all . . .

Grant father that she the gift of thy love
May be blessed while on Earth and be happy above . . .
1 PAGE


IN VIEW OF APPROACHING DEATH
Death's turbid stream is passing near
Its waters deep and bold . . .

What care I that I'm old and poor
And have but few to love . . .

Then tempt me not to dread the grave
Bid all my doubting's cease . . .
1 ½ PAGES


THE CLOSED ROOM
And sand are the thoughts that oppress me
As I stand in this desolate room.
I look round for the dear ones so cherished
The light of their once happy home
By death's icy hand that have perished
And the light is extinguished and gone

Sad scenes in review pass before me
All shrouded in painful regret
The God father sees not as we see
We will know what we may not know yet

We will know why the happy young mother
Her pathway so bright with hopes say
From maternal and conjugal duties
Was summoned so early away

Two buds of rare beauty and sweetness
Just hung from the fair (?) stem
Death's Angel with mystical fleetness
Past one and it withered and fell . . .

the one little rose bud left hanging
Bloomed beauty and fragrance around
And we hoped that God in his goodness
Was healing the still bleeding wound . . .

But the while the insatiate archer was stealthily choosing his mark
And to make the scar deeper and surer
Maliciously fastened the dart
And the strong one, the head – and the father
Breathed out life amid teardrops and prayer
Sad death was again in that chamber
Another beloved one lay there . . .

O nerve us to suffer and pray
And wait for the summons that calleth
From sorrow our spirits away.
2 PAGES


WINTER NEARLY OVER
In the house lonely and weary
Through the Winter long and dreary . . .
2PAGES


A DREAM
Nature's restorer sleep hasd closed my eyes
On all the cares and sorrows, neath the skies
The Immortal mind was free to rove at will
To unknown worlds planned by creative skill
And as she flew through time and space and climes
One seemed (?) itself upon the mind . . .

I stood upon a broad and sanded shore
And viewed the placid waters by me flow . . .

Youth seemed restored my spirit was serene . . .
A female friend drew near . . .
1 PAGE


ONE DAY NEARER HOME
When the toils of the day are o're
The thought to my mind oft recalls
I've one day left to live
In this valley of sin and tears . . .
1 PAGE


I'VE PRAYED FOR THEE
I prayed for thee when first thy eyes beheld the light of day
And when thou helpless in thy cradle lay
When ere thy infant wailing reached my ear
Denoting pain or restlessness or fear
I prayed for thee.

Thy quavering lip and quiet convulsive sob
Found ever in my heart a corresponding throb
And then I prayed that thou may never know
Sorrow or pain or aught of human woe . . .

In all the varied changes of thy life
In halls of learning and in War's dread strife
On march or halt a prisoner or free
In every phase of life I pray for thee . . .
2 PAGES


TO MY MOTHER IN HEAVEN
Hast thou found thy children Mother?
Are they stars set in thy crown?
For thou led them to the Savior
Since thy earthly sun went down .
Are your hearts attuned together?
In hymning (?)
And is father there too with you?
Joining in your songs of prase . . .

When thy children knelt around thy bed
And friends were standing by
Thou looked up smiling and exclaimed
‘How Sweet It Is To Die!' . . .

Rugged has been the path since then
Our weary feet have trod
And many sorrows have we known
On life's dark thorny road.

It won't be long dear Mother
Before I'll be with you.
2 PAGES


IN MEMORY OF OLD WHITE MARSH CHURCH IN LANCASTER COUNTY VIRGINIA
Not a vestige remains of the dear old house
Once vocal with prayer and praise
Where with many now safe in the bosom of God
I was shaped in other days.
I alone am left of the little band
That met in that sacred place . . .
1 ½ PAGES


MY CHILDHOOD'S HOME
In the soft and dewy Evening
When the twilight shadows fall .
. .
My mother's quiet chamber
The cushioned old arm-chair
And the little walnut cabinet
preserved with pious care
Which to me seemed regal - there
In our plane county home. . .

I wonder if the songsters still
Sing in the locust tree
And the voice o the Whippoorwill
Sounds on the evening breeze
Perchance they left when stranger feet
Entered our portal door
And children they have never known
Played on our nursery floor . . .
2 ½ PAGES

I AM WEARY
I am Weary of Life's Journey
I fain would be be at rest . . .

I'm weary of this mortal strife
Its festering cares and fears
They've pressed upon this aching heart
For more than three score years . . .

And lay my fevered aching limbs
beside my kindred dead .

I'm weary of sad tales of woe
That are borne on every breeze
Of sorrows which I cannot cure
Of griefs I would relieve
I'm weary of the false pretense
The strife for sordid gain
The heartlessness of man to man
The fest at human pain . . .

I'm weary of the beautiful
That blooms but to decay
I'm weary of th3 gloom of night
The sunlight of the day . . .
1 ½ PAGES


LUCIE W. H. HURST WAS BORN MAY 27TH 1862 AND DIED JULY 3RD 1863
And thou art gone our darling one
Thy cherub brow and face
Thy soul lit eye shy winsome smile
All cold in death's embrace . . .
Thy stay on earth was sad though brief . . .

Transplanted by an unseen hand
Thou bloom-est in a fairer land . . .

Little sufferer sweetly rest
Nestled on thy mother's breast
Our lovely babe thy Angel form . . .

We miss thee sadly dearest child
We miss thy prattling talk
We miss thee in thy little (?) . . .
the house looks lone and drear
For Lucie is not here . . .

Oh may thy little Angel feet
Conduct me to the Savior's seat
With other lost ones who hae long
Waited to convey me home.
1 ½ PAGES


EXTEMPORE
Upon being requested by my sweet little niece to
Sing to her about her pets -- alone for her amusement
In a pleasant country home
there lives a little one
And we call her charming Jenie O . . .

She has a little horse
and it is a perfect farce
to see him gamble o're the green O. . .

She has a little dog
He's as active as q frog . . .

She has a little cat
She's always so fat . . .
2 PAGES

ADDITIONAL PAPERS/DOCUMENTS OUTSIDE THE OLD LEDGER BOOK:

Doc 1a
LINES ADDRESSED TO MISS L. L. EDWARDS BY HER SISTER B. G. EDWARDS
Tho twice twelve years have fled and gone
Since Lucy first I knew . . .

The eye that watched her infant form
And dangled on her knee . . .

We slumbered in one bed . . .
4 PAGES


Doc 1b
ON HEARING OF THE AFFLICTION OF A FAVORITE MINISTER
With suppliant cries to thee I seek
For him thou lovest Lord is sick . . .

May every ache and pain endured
More firmly fire his heart on God . . .

How oft his animating voice
Has bid my trembling soul rejoice . . .

"B" Sept 15th 1822
Transcribed for Miss Mary C. Edwards
2 PAGES


Doc 1c
WRITTEN ON THE AUTHOR'S SISTER MISS M. C. EDWARDS
As Mary fair as summer's day . . .
2 PAGES


Doc 1d
ON THE DEATH OF THE AUTHOR'S SISTER AGED 3 YEARS
Death conflict past and Angels bear away
Louisa' spotless soul to endless day
With beauty, innocence, each dawning grace
Spring with her years and blossomed in her face . . .
A(nn) P(riscilla) Edwards
1 PAGE


Doc 1e
THE PEARL OF GREATEST PRICE
A two-page poem entitled "The Pearl of Greatest Price" in an un-mailed stampless cover addressed to "Miss Jane E. Thompson "Present". Poem is dated October 5th 1851 and Initialed by the author.
2 PAGES


Doc 1f
I LOVE TO ROVE AT EVE WHEN SOBER GRAY
Fancy old inked floral & geometric calligraphy decorates throughout and on the reverse side of an untitled three-page poem concerning graves, an oak tree, the stars, other nature, etc., extolling the greatness & grace of God. Poem is signed at the end "Lucy" 3 PAGES WITH CALLIGRAPHY AND ELABORATE FLORAL DESIGNS DRAWN IN INK


Doc 1g
A 2 ½ PAGE OBITUARY HANDWRITTEN IN INK WITH A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEATH OF OUR "BELOVED SISTER MRS JASMINE H. RAMSEY" CONSORT OF DR. RICHARD H. RAMSEY
She died 25 January 1837. Mrs Ramsey was the youngest daughter of Mr. Calep(b) boush of PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY, VA was born about the year 1796. Open profession of faith in Christ in the Borough of Norfolk during the sitting of the VA Conference in 1814 and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in that place. Married to Dr. Ramsey a practicing physician in 1820. Moved to Pasquotank County NC . . . where she died. She suffered throughout her life with severe spells of sickness.
This handwritten obituary measures about 7.5 x 12.5" but the top third of all these pages has separated along a fold line from the lower two thirds of the pages.
2 ½ PAGES


Doc 1h
"TO MISS LUCY HUGHLETT"
A 1/2 page poem handwritten in ink on paper (about 5 x 7"). Poem is signed Henrietta Garrettt. On the reverse is written "Miss Lucy Hughlett Present" and "Henrietta"
½ PAGE


Doc 1i
"POPLAR HILL OCT 17TH"
A interesting letter written as aa poem:
Fearing Dear William you may think
I mean a slight I pen in ink . . .
Don't expect a flowering letter . . .

I beg that ere if long you will
Come down again to Po[lar Hill
stay several days you need not fear
We are always glad to see you here . . .

Begging that you'll remember me
I sign myself Lucy L. E.
2 PAGES


Doc 1j
"MRS E. (?) HARVEY OF OAKFORD THE SUBJECT OF THE FOLLOWING LINES;"
I sing of Betsey whom I love so much . . .
I knew her in her childhood's playful hours . . .

When anxious pride in view of womanhood
Her bosom swelled and sanguine hopes beat high . . .

When first the tender name of wife she heard
And when maternal feelings first she knew
I knew her then, still were our hearts endeared . . .

When death's rude hand with unrelenting smart
Tore one by one three tender babes away
In bleeding left each fiber of her heart
I knew her, yes, remember well the day.

And now two smiling boys with rosy faces
Like olive branches round her table sit . . .

Her love and friendship true, changes not with years . . .
May Betsey be of every good possessed
Which providence tow mortals ere hast given
and when mortality with native dust shall rest
O may we all together live in heaven.
Signed "B" Oct 9 1829
2 PAGES


Doc 1k
"OLD AND NEW"
Poem handwritten on paper (about 4.5 x 7) with embossed letter "H" at the top and trimmed artistically along both sides
And looking sadly ocean ward there came
A vision to mine eyes, distant yet clear
Two spirits vast of frame . . .

A massive helmet gleamed from either head,
And either was in stature like a god, . . .
2 PAGES


Doc 1l
"AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH O MISS E. B."
Hail happy spirit freed from cumbrous clay . . .
1 PAGE (TORN IN HALF)


Doc 1m
"MY THREE PRECIOUS ONES"
--
1 PAGE


Doc 1n
"INVOCATION TO HEALTH"
All that once delighted here
To me looks desolate and drear . . .

"ADDRESS TO A ROBIN"
Little fluttering wobbling thing
Welcome back again with spring . . .
Wherefore dist thou stray from home
All the dreary winter long
Hast thou found on land or sea
One that loved the more than me . . .
4 PAGES (2 POEMS)


Doc 1o
"BE KIND TO THE LOVED ONES AT HOME"
Be kind to thy father . . .
Be kind to thy mother . . .
Be kind to thy brother . . .
Be kind to thy sister . . . Etc.
2 PAGES


Doc 1p
AN INCOMPLETE PROSE ESSAY ENTITLED "A GLIMPSE AT NATURE" ABOUT A MAN NAMED BEN WEAVER
It was a sweet June morning. She had come down to breakfast ready to go to church in a simple home dress of gingham with a collar of the same fashion, high about the throat with a small gold pin. I thought she looked very neat but plain and I playfully said ‘You look just like a little gal stepping out on the side of the road from the old path in the bushes leading from old Ben Weaver's cottage. Now Ben Weaver was one of nature's noblemen . . . his manner were only the natural outgrowth of his kind and noble nature. He is a man who fears God and eschews evil. He and Kate his wife are of the same type. They were born in the same village, played together as children, went to the same school and on the Sabbath attended the same church. They knew each other well and knew how to appreciate the valuable traits nobody made (?) characters of both. It is much to be desired that young people are often so reckless in selecting rather than choosing their companion for life. By the time that Ben Weaver had reached his 21st birthday year he had fully . . . (essay ends abruptly)
1 ½ PAGE


Doc 1q
"ADDRESSED TO LU WHILE AT SCHOOL"
I miss thee my darling
My fireside is drear
My chamber is lonely
For thou art not here
And sad thoughts oppress me
At close of the day
Which only are known
When my child is away . . .

Where fourteen years gone
A boon from kind Heaven
Our Lucie, our dear little
Lucie was given . . .
3 PAGES


Doc 1r
"THE SUPERIORITY OF THE MINISTERIAL CHARACTER OVER THAT OF OTHER GOOD MEN"
A LONG poem described by its title.
And if for friend or council we implore
Our steps are painted to the good man's door . . .
2 PAGES


Doc 1s
"DO THEE MISS ME AT HOME"
And is there no chord in the Music,
that's missed when my voice is away . . .
Signed "Lucie"
½ PAGE


Doc 1t
"THE WELL REMEMBERED SONG"
It is a plaintive auld Scotch Song,
My ain dear Mither loved it best . . .
2PAGES


Doc 1u
"THE WOODLAND DELL"
And Dear Sister's I've spent hours there
With happiness and You.
By my Brother's hand, was placed
A rustic seat, and shelf for books,
Where he loved to woo the muses,
In this quiet little nook.
There the drip of tiny waterfalls
the rustling of the air
the singing of the happy birds,
or springing of the hare . . .
2 PAGES


Doc 1v
"I CANNOT SING THAT SONG TONIGHT"
. . . For tis the song I used to sing
For him when all was hope and truth
Before I knew that time could fling,
One shadow o're any happy youth . . .
2 PAGES


Doc 1w
APPEARS TO BE A TWO-PAGE FRAGMENT OF A SHORT DIARY?
(Expresses deeply pious religious experience and feelings of self depreciation)
A few excerpts:
" . . . set apart Friday as usual for (?) and fasting expecting by waiting upon the Lord in this way to renew my strength, but being hurried through the day by unexpected business felt my mind unhinged and in the evening felt a langur overspread my spirit and my body more disordered by abstinence than it has been for some time."

" . . . tempted to impatience and spoke short to one with whom I was conversing. This pained me much but I fear not as much as it ought. The following day was confined to my bed and felt quite in a torpid state of mind."

" . . . was ardently desirous on Sunday to attend the public worship of God which after some difficulty was permitted to do, but did not find the comfort I expected which is partly my own fault. O my God cleanse thou me from secret faults. I want to feel more alive to God and to my eternal interest."

"April the 9,
My constant theme has been for some years . . . my great unfaithfulness in God's mercy toward me. I have felt a dread lately I think more than ever of being overcome by certain vestments which the Lord for some months past had in a good measure delivered me from."

"Much pain of late and made to lye low at the feet of my Savior . . . The Lord appears to be deaf to my cries but I will trust and not be afraid. Surely the Lord will avenge his own elect."

"I begin to think I suffer from not rising earlier in the morning. Also from talking too much and thereby many times encouraging a spirit of levity. . . Lord help me to be a perfect Christian though I should make every sacrifice. There is in my present situation many painful things and much hindrance in the way of a holy life. O that I could constantly have my eye pined on the prize and leave the rest to God."

"O my Jesus for closer communion I pine. I am nothing but a mere infant in Christ the Lord . . . I cannot Lord nor will I rest till I am freed indeed freed from all sin."
2 PAGES

STILL OTHER SEPARATE PAGES OF POETRY, etc.:

"FRIEND OF My CHOICE" 4 pages
"HOME AND FRIENDS" 2 pages
"THE BONNIE BOAT" 2 pages (torn)
"WHY WILT THOU WRONGLY JUDGE ME" 2 pages (torn)
"YOUR AID YE MISS I IMPLORE" 1 page
"O WHAT IS LIFE A TANGLED WEB" 2 pages
POEM ABOUT THE COMING OF WINTER 2 pages
MISCELLANEOUS SCRAPS AND ABOUT 4 PARTIAL PAGES.

As described in some detail above, this collection consists of a treasured old ledger and personal papers compiled during the first half of the 19th century, by the Edwards family from Northumberland County in the Northern Neck of Virginia.