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"The Howard-Smith Collection"

Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved.
The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville.

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To: James T. Gaines, Esqr., Hawkins County, Tennessee
From: Edmund P. Gaines, Knoxville, Tennessee
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      (private)                     Knoxville T. Aug't. 5. 1815

Dear James,
      I was last night married.  I wish, if you are not very much 
engaged you would come as far as Beans station, and from that place accompany 
Mrs. Wilkinson, my sister in-law to Clay courthouse, which is about 70 miles 
from beans station.  If it is not perfectly convenient do not come, because 
Mr. Tomas Rodgers will accompany her.  But if it is possible you may come I 
will just tell you that you must prepare to take great care of yourself for 
Mrs. W. is a handsome widow, not 21 years of age: She has beautiful black eyes: 
and what is still more captivating when it is known she possesses as many good 
qualities of the heart as any woman ever did.  She was partly raised on the 
mobile, is plain amiable, and altogether unaffected.  I therefore warn you to 
take care lest she should carry you off-or rather lest you would carry her off. 
 She has a son, a little older than Henry, and she has paid great attention to 
Henry.
      I think Barbara is one of the best girls I ever knew.
                                  Your friend & Brother
                                     Edmund
                                        give my regards to all.

P.S. Young Mr. Frank Gaines set out to come down on the little piece of 
gallantry but instead of coming on at once, he got out of the stage at Rutledge 
and said he wished to spend a week there, as he had nothing else to do.  I hope 
indeed he had some business at Rutledge-[If] he really had not, he is getting 
into a hopeless habit!  This I regret, because he has some very promising 
qualities; but alas, without industry the better the qualifications, the 
meaner the man.
                                   E.