March 11, 1852: "I hope, Cecelia, you are happy; much happier than when you were my property"
In the first letter, from March 1852, Fanny shares news of Cecelia’s mother and brother, whom Cecelia hadn't seen in six years by that point. Fanny writes that Mary no longer works for the Thruston family after being "sold" for unknown reasons, but she still visits often.
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"After my marriage she desired to be sold; but she frequently visits us and is exceeding anxious that I should buy her, and bring her home to live again […] She says she has a good home but would rather live with me than any one else. She frequently talks to me about you and always in tears expresses a hope to see you once more."
She writes that Cecelia's brother Edward still works for the family and suffers from scrofula, a type of tuberculosis, which he'd had since he was born.
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"Your brother Edward, Pa still owns; he is still afflicted with Scrofula; has never outgrown it as we once hoped, and is now under medical advice, as he has been at different times since his birth. He has grown very much, but I think you would know him were you to see him for his face has changed very little tho’ he is now in his sixteenth year.”
The rest of Fanny's letter is cheerful and chatty. She ends with wishes for Cecelia's happiness, but she doesn't go so far as to offer help with her main plight – reuniting her with her mother and brother. Instead she consigns that responsibility to God.
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"I hope Cecelia you are happy; much happier than when you were my property; and I trust you may always be surrounded by every comfort and blessing. If it should be never your lot to meet your parent on earth may God in his mercy and love gather you together in Heaven.”
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Letter from Fanny Thruston Ballard to Cecelia Larrison (née Holmes), 11 March 1852
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