The first letter from John Henry Ashmore (1878-1946) to Nursie Whaley (1888-1962) shows John at age 25 and Nursie at 15. John lives in Ashmore, Florida (just north of Sopchoppy), where he works in the family goods store. Nursie Whaley resides in Medart, Florida (south of Tallahassee and Crawfordville).
A map near that time showing Ashmore, Medart, Smith Creek, Arran, Hilliardville, Lanark, and other places of Wakulla County that are mentioned in the letters can be found in this map from 1909: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/pages/1400/f1402/f1402.htm.
This letter mentions John's younger brother Major. And at the end of all the letters John signs his letters Jno H. A. or Jno. H. A. An old abbreviation for John, Jno is presumably from German Johanno or Latin Johannus/Johannes. In general I do not correct John's misspellings or add that annoying interruption [sic]. He does not usually use apostrophes in don't, won't, and the like, and I have attempted to leave the apostrophe out where he does, but my mind sometimes forces me insert them when I am typing or my computer has autocorrected.
[postmark] ASHMORE, FLA. Aug 26, 1903
[envelope]
Miss Nursie Whaley
Medart
Wakulla Co., Fla.
[body of letter, page 1]
Ashmore, Fla.
Aug. 26, '03
Miss Nursie Whaley,
Medart, Fla.
My Dear Nursie:
I didnot ask you about writing
and I fear you will think
I am taking too much liberty
in doing so, but Nursie,
I couldn't get to talk to you
Sunday because some one
else was always in the way.
I could have "walloped" Mr.
Cobb when he sat down right
behind us. What I want
to know is this: were you
laughing at me Sunday
night or not? Please don't
trifle with me Nursie.
You know that I love you
better than any thing on
earth, "Great Heavens sweet-
heart how I do love you." But
if you dont love me[underlined] darling,
I had rather not see you
again, for my feelings are too
deep to be played with, and
the more I see you, the
more I will love you – if
such is possible – and it
will make it all the harder
for me to bear when you
"throw one over" for some other
boy, but if you do love me
Nursie I would be the hap-
piest boy alive, and would
do anything in the world I
could for you. Please do
not think me presumptuous
in writing you this, for really
I could not wait until I see
you again because I don't
know when I will see you.
I heard some nice com-
pliments for you Sunday – said
you were the prettiest girl
at Lanark and of course
I said, Yah! I did not
have an opportunity Sunday
to tell you this, that is why
I tell you now. I think
you are the sweetest little
girl I ever saw. I would have
given anything for a kiss
from those sweet lips of yours
Sunday, and I was tempted
to ask you for one but had no
chance. Wont you give me
one some time sweetheart? If
you dont I will steal it.
Tell Susie that Major left
me 3 oclock Sunday night
and he was not mad with
her at all, but was with
some body else. I am glad
Susie loves Major so well
for he is a good biy. If
you only loved me as she does
Major, but I know you dont.
Please tell me the truth
Nursie, do you love me, dont
be afraid to say so. I had rather
know the truth no matter how
it hurts. I dont believe you
would try to deceive me no-
way – would you love? I think
you are difference form other
girls, that is why I love you.
Nursie I would like to write
to you, a letter from you would
be appreciated above all others.
Would it be agreeable to you,
and would your Mama or
Papa care? If they do, I
would ask them. I think
of you so much, and as
I cant be with you often, I
would like to write to you.
I would like to be with
you but that is impossible now
Please answer this letter
anyway and tell me what
I have asked you. My brother
from Hilliardville was here yes-
terday, and want me to
go to Jacksonville Friday on
some business. It might
take me too long to get through
it and I dont think I shall
go – not until I hear from
you no way, – then I may
not care what becomes of
me or where I go. Excuse
such writing. I am inter-
rupted so much by people
coming in the store, I can hardly
write. Please write soon.
Ever Yours, Jno. H. Ashmore
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