Freedwoman’s letter to her husband who had been seeking her. April 7, 1866
Across the former slave states, freedpeople went about the monumental task of reuniting families, which had been torn apart by slavery. Phillip Grey, a freedman of Virginia, found his wife, Willie Ann, and their daughter in Kentucky. However, after their involuntary separation, Willie Ann had remarried and had three additional children by her second husband. He died serving in the Union army. To Phillip Grey, she wrote:
Salvisa KY April 7th 1866
Dear Husband,
I seat myself this morning to write you a few lines to let you know that I received your letter the 5 of this month and was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well. This leaves us all well at present and I hope these lines may find you still in good health. You wish me to come to Virginia. I had much rather that you would come after me but if you cannot make it convenient you will have to make some arrangements for me and the family. I have 3 little fatherless girls. My husband went off under Burbridges command and was killed at Richmond, VA. If you can pay my passage through there I will come the first of May. I have nothing much to sell as I have had my things all burnt so you know that what I would sell would not bring much. You must not think my family too large and get out of heart for if you love me you will love my children and you will have to promise me that you will provide for them all as well as if they were your own. I heard that you spoke of coming for Maria but was not coming for me. I know that I have lived with you and loved you then and I love you still. Every time I hear from you my love grows stronger. I was very low spirited when I heard that you was not coming for me. My heart sank within me in an instant. You will have to write and give me directions how to come. I want when I start to come the quickest way that I can come. I do not want to be detained on the road. If I was the expense would be high and I would rather not have much expense on the road. Give me directions which is the nearest way so that I will not have any trouble after I start from here. Phebe wishes to know what has become of Lawrence. She heard that he was married but did not know whether it was so or not. Maria sends her love to you but seems to be low spirited for fear that you will come for her and not for me. John Phebe’s son says he would like to see his father but does not care about leaving his mother who has taken care of him up to this time. He thinks that she needs help and if he loves her he will give her help. I will close now by requesting you write as soon as you receive this so no more at present but remain your true (I hope to be with you soon) wife.
Willie Ann. Grey
To Phillip Grey
Aunt Lucinda sends her love to you. She has lost her husband and one daughter, Betsy. She left 2 little children. The rest are all well at present. Pheby’s Mary was sold away from her. She heard from her the other day. She was well.
Direct your letters to Mrs. Mollie Roche Salvisa KY
Source: Reprinted in Berlin, Ira and Leslie S. Rowland, eds. Families and Freedom: A Documentary History of African American Kinship in the Civil War Era. New York: New Press, 1997. 173. (Document 4.12.4)