Valentine Letter written on a folded paper, decorated on the outside by a pen drawing of a wreath of leaves, with a dove in the center. At the bottom are two overlapping hearts, pierced by arrows. I have left the spelling as the original.
14th Febuary /64 [1864]
Miss Lavonia Davis
As I do not enjoy [take part in]
a corrispondance with you, I take advantage of
the 14th of February to give you some token of the many
hye regards witch I entertain for you.
You will pleas except my best wishes for your
happiness and prosperity. Ever be assured
that some bosom breathes forth a constant
silent prear for thee.
Perhaps you may find out who this is from.
If so pleas pardon him for so doing and
ever remember that he esteems you hy as a lady.
Also read the inblem of the drawing on the
opposite page and may your path be strene [strewn?]
with roses & heaven bless your whole life,
and crown your death with peace and endless bliss.
From your Valentine
[My note: The handwriting matches the later letters by Alonzo Bosworth, Lavonia’s future husband. These are my husband's Gt gt grandparents.
Alonzo was a Confederate Sgt., AL 14th Regiment, Company D, who had fought in VA and Gettysburg. The above writing was when he was about 21, after the war. He died young, age 37, in 1880, possibly a result of earlier war wounds. Martha Lavonia outlived him by 40 more years. She saved these letters in a trunk as she moved with family to Oklahoma. She was the first victim of an automobile/ buggy accident in Oklahoma, 1921.]
9 hours ago
