Letter from
Thomas Ruffin, Jr. to his father,
Thomas Ruffin
, January 13, 1844
Ruffin, Thomas, Jr.
Page [1]
Chapel
Hill
Jan. 13th 1844
My dear father
This is a duty, that I should have performed before now, since I knew you would
be anxious 'till you could hear our respective situations; and, indeed, I would
have written sooner, had we all been settled; but it was some time before we
could conclude where we should board: We came down from home on Thursday, which
was one day too soon. I mean
George & myself,
James did not come untill Friday in the stage. We all secured our
old rooms & in this respect we are situated just as we were last
session.
James is with a
young Mr
Wharton, from
Greensboro,
George
with me. The two Brodnax's togather. and finally we all settled down to board
with Miss
Nancy Hilliard
. We are much pleased so far. I particularly so,
having a small table, with young
Daniel. no one else to trouble or to be troublesome. She has between
90 and a hundred boarders.
Our number of students has increased considerably, since last session. There are
about a hundred and seventy five of us now. So far I see no signs of rebellion.
The Freshmen are pleased with their new Tutor.
I have not been to see D
r
Mitchell's
family yet, being rather too bashful to make my devoirs to so
many young ladies. as soon, however as I can overcome this, I shall call on
them.
Page [2]
I called on D
r Jones
to know
whether he could receive
Robin
Jones & myself as boarders. he, or rather she, declined taking
us, but give us very kind invitations to come to their house.
We commence
Kent's
commentaries tomorrow, I purchased a book of Mr
Hughes. Gov.
Swain
gives us but
little consolation with regard to it.
I understand that D
r.
Mitchell
regrets having parted
with his boarders. Why, I do not know, but I am sure he did not regret it more
than myself, at first, for I felt completely lost and frequently I would start
towards his house, when the bell would ring. I have heard others of his old
boards make the same regret at being compelled to leave him. I have paid Miss
Nancy
for nearly a session's board, or I
think I should ask leave to go back.
Robin Jones has left his room
in college & taken one in the village.
There is no more news here and the bell will ring shortly. I would have delayed
writing 'till some other time, but I knew you would be desirous of hearing from
us.
When you see Mrs Taylor, you
will pleased to make my excuses for not having gone to see her, when in Raleigh,
which I would most certainly have done, had the weather permited me. if you
please, also, give her my best respects, and my love to Mary Cain, and tell her to write me.
I am your affectionate Son
Thomas
Ruffin
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