Letter from
Thomas Ruffin, Jr. to his father,
Thomas Ruffin
, January 1841
Ruffin, Thomas, Jr.
Page [1]
Chapel
Hill
Jan 1841
My dear Father
I have received both the coat and your letter and I am thankful to you for your
advice, which you gave me The coat is too large, but I will keep it thinking
that it will not be so next winter. I braught Brother Sterling's down with me.
I keeped my same room, and my room mate is
Allen Polk
from
Ten.
I have seen Mr
Green and
he both asked me to come to see him and promised to come himself to see us, he
is very fond of
Allen
and very kind to both of us.
D
r
Michel
has imposed a fine on his boarders, that unless they talk at the
table they shall take a book and read for the benefit of the crowd. He also is a
very hospital man. A great many of our old students quit and nearly all those
who were dismissed last session returned this. They came in very slowly this
session and in fact they are not all back yet.
I will write home next saturday to Mama
Page [2]
I suppose you know that Mr Foust went to Favetteville and Mama
sent for her things by him instead of Nathan who did not know when he would go down.
Dr
Mitchel
has filled his ice house already I have writen to
James McNeill
about his pecuniary affairs.
Robbert Strange has not returned yet
wether he will or not I do not know for a certenty, but rather expect he will.
There were but very few new candidates for admission into
college.
I have not heard from home this session but expect you have for when I left home
I saw Paty prepareing a
letter to you. I did not stop long in Hillsbo. but I saw
Uncle John and Brother Brown and they said all were well.
As I have a quiet room and room mate I hope to be able to get a distinction in my
class My dear
Father
I trying my best I have studed harder this session than I ever
did in my life before, so that if I now I fail for ever, but I have strong hopes
of success. I know the importance of knowledge and I now much your happiness
depends upon me, and I also that it is
Page [3]
nescessary
for me to have and education for I will have so many to take care off for
Brother
Brown and myself will have to
take care of all the younger and poor Brother
Sterling.
And as soon as we are able to work My dear
Father
I want you to rest for I
think you will have done enough for ungratefull children.
Sir
and all I
want you to give me is your books for they will be distroy unless some
perticular person has them and want them for
John and for my own instruction and as a relick of the
family.
Sir
I
have been wishing to ask you for them a long but could not for you know a youth
dislikes to meddle with his parents affairs.
It is now nearly 11 oclock and we are all. Give my best love to Mrs. Tailor and my respects to
Miss Elenor Boylan and
Miss Mildred Cameron.
Mr Green returned from Mr
Cameron's last night
and left all well there.
I remain your affectionate Son
Thomas Ruffin
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