April the 24, 1864


Miss Sarah B. Davis,

I take the pleasure of addresing you by letter. My reason 
for so doing is I wish to make afew speaches to you on the 
subject of matrimony. I am apprised of the fact that widowers 
ar not very popular among the young ladys. Notwithstanding 
I make the venture to offer you afew remarks if those few lines 
meets your approbution. I hope to receive a answer shortly. 
If not I hope to be slited [slighted] as a gentleman, for 
as such I profess to be, and I look upon you as a lady. 
If those few lines dos not meet your approval I will not 
disrespect you for objecting to it though I hope they will. 
I do not wish to make any display in this line of buisnes, 
I know that it is a big undertaken for a woman to take me and 
my children though I can say to you that I dont want a wife 
merly to waite on my children but to make me a good companion 
for that is the happest life I have ever lived. I hope to receive 
a answer to this letter shortly. 

Yours truly

W. B. Rogers


Excuse me for this arkward letter for it is the first time I 
ever undertaken this any thing of the kind.

The preceding letter was written by Willis B. Rogers of Henderson County, Tn. He was born in 1827 and first married Jane Lovell. They had five children: William H., Eliza Ann, Amanada B., James M. and Elizabeth. After Jane's death, he wrote this letter of proposal to Sarah Braward Davis, daughter of John Boswell Davis. They were married later in 1864 and had ten children.]

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