| Scope and content |
Correspondence between Martha, her family and friends, and her husband provide a unique picture of people in the midst of the Civil War and the uncertainties of refugee living. The bulk of the correspondence is between Martha; her husband; her mother, E. L. Gregory; and her sisters, Bettie Havens, Jennie Warren, and Frannie Bryan. Most letters originated from Salem, Greenville, Pactolus, Louisburg, Wilson, Hendersonville, and Tarboro, cities to which these families fled during the Federal occupation of Washington. Refugee topics discussed include the scarcity of food and clothing; smuggling of goods and mail; separation from home, friends, and family; illness and treatments; troop movements; costs of food, clothing and lodgings; coping with death of family members; education; making over old clothes; and reminiscences of former times. Since Mrs. E. L. Gregory and Bettie Havens remained in Washington, N.C., during most of the occupation, their letters reflect life under Union rule. They contain reports of destruction of the Washington port; the confiscation of homes, livestock, and supplies; smuggling of goods and mail; runaway servants; church services and home prayer groups; coping without slaves; the influx of troops to Washington; and reactions to Union occupation. |
