Lewis Malone Ayer Letters 1803

Letters from Lewis Malone Ayer Papers
South Carolina Library

From William Bassett to Lewis Malone Ayer

Sapelo Georgia Febry 17, 1803

Dear Sir,

I am now about to perform part of my promise that is to write at every opportunity. After four days journey we are safe at home and well at present thank God. I hope this may find you and family in like state. My affairs I find all well, the measles is in the plantation but are quite lite, give yourself no uneasyness about your little daughter on that account as the whole of the school children has had them without danger. The master I told you of is about to quit, but will I expect be succeeded by another. I have made any application for your daughter and a grant of her going to school. This will be handed by my brother John, who will return your horse as I think it more to your advantage than to keep him here. Send me a few lines by the bearer. Your little daughter sends love to her Mama and her Papa and little brothers and sister. Mrs. Bassett joins her compliments with mine to your Mrs. Ayer and children.

I am Dear Sir with esteem your friend,

Wm. Bassett

From William Bassett to Lewis Malone Ayer

McIntosh County Georgia April 25, 1803

Dear Sir,

I ___________________________ (received?) yours of 1 Mar, and am truly happy to hear that you and your family is well. Myself and family is well at present, thank God. Your little daughter has not had the measles yet though we have been here this 4 weeks in the _____ (maybe town?). She is now going to school and has grown up perhaps the most you ever saw a person for the time since she left you. She is a good girl and merits esteem. I shall look for a visit from you this summer at any rate, if circumstances will admit of...your letter of the above mentioned afforded me great satisfaction, but you will early guess of my feelings when I read the unlooked for news of Mr. Playor's death, who I left so well but a short time before. I console with the widow and fatherless children who of course has met with the greatest loss they have ever met with, not withstanding I am sensible of your feelings on that point, for who who is there that would not sensible feel the loss of such a worthy friend as Mr. Playor...in consequence of whom I have trimmed Miss Harriet in a neat suit of mourning...news I have nothing strange or worth relating. Seasons thus have been the driest I have ever seen yet, but my cotton acres part of which look very well, I shall on the morrow begin to thin. Please give my compliments with that of Mrs. Bassett and Miss Harriets to Mrs. Playor. They both likewise join with me in writing their love to yourself and Mrs. Ayer and children. I am with great Esteem your friend and ___________ (servant?)

Wm. Bassett

PS Your daughter is perfectly satisfied with her change of place, nothing is wanting but the society of her Papa and Mama and little brothers and sister, place of which her aunt and myself _____ (wish?) to fill. WB

From Elizabeth Bassett to Jane Playor

Addressed to Mrs. Jane Playor
S. Carolina
Favor of Mr. John Bassett

Dear Sister, Georgia September the 19, 1803

I take this opportunity to inquire after your fammilys health which I shall be extremely glad to hear of. Myself and my family is at present well and hope you and yours enjoy a like portion of the blessing. I have nothing strange to inform you of but am elated with the thoughts of being your neighbor where I can enjoy the company of my friends once more. I should be glad if you would come and stay with me until December if the situation of your fammily will admit it. You may have an opportunity with Brother J. Bassett by whom this will be handed you-----I shall conclude with Mr. Bassetts and my own sincere love to you and children. I am your loving sister,

Elizabeth Bassett

Notes of Sue Folawn who contributed these transcriptions:

"Harriett (and your Mary) were the children of Lewis Malone Ayer and his wife Sarah Nunnery. Sarah apparently died when the children were still quite young and Ayer married Rebecca Erwin. My ggg-grandfather, William Bassett, was married to Rebecca's sister, Elizabeth Erwin. For whatever reason (the Bassetts had no children, the Ayer family had several?), the Bassetts took Harriett to live with them for awhile in McIntosh Co, GA. It's believed that Bassett and Ayer may have been in business together. They were brothers-in-law. During this period, the husband of a third Erwin sister, Jane Player, died in Barnwell, and the death is referred to in one of the letters."

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