File:Maria Walker to Alice Mary Longfellow, 18 Fenruary 1895 (3cc7bc96-c957-4898-bd64-6649369faa2d).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1007.001/002.003-001#064

[printed letterhead: Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute]
Hampton, Va., Feb 18, 1895.
Kind Friend;
I now write to thank you for my scholarship. I feel very grateful toward you. You cannot imagine how thankful I am. I was led to come to Hampton by Major Ballard, who used to be a warm friend to this Institute. I hired [sic] to his wife he banked my money so it would be safe and I soon saved twenty dollars. He told mamma all about Hampton what a nice Institute it was and. Mother was very anxious for me to come. My Father is dead and mother had to work very hard to help send me here. My home is in Salem, Va [p. 2] My mother haven't any property she rents she have four children and I haven't any father so she has to work very hard. Times are very hard in Salem and her work is cooking she gets a very little money for her work. I had to come to Hampton Normal School looking quite angry but I am poor and I knew is character is best of all and I was determined to make a lady of myself and I knew this was the place for me. I knew God will provide for me he said what sover ye ask in my name that will I give unto thee and I will trust him. I like Hampton Normal School splendid and also I like my teachers I am so glad I am here. I work in the laundry and there, I know I can earn my board and as you are so very kind to pay my scholarship by the help of God I can [p. 3] push through. Will you please pray for me that I may be faithful in my duties. I went to school three terms at home there I learned a great deal. My Teachers were very good. I liked them ever so much. I will be 18, year old the 5, of May. I cannot conclude this letter without Thanking you again for may scholarship. I feel greatly Indebted to you thank you kindly you are so very very kind. I came down here to finish up here, so that I can help much mother to take care of her and the other children, And myself so she wont suffer for any thing. to take care of her in her old age. I come to night school and study [p. 4] two hours each night. I like to come to night school. I will come to a close.
Gratefully yours,
Maria E. Walker

• Keywords: long archives; document; alice m. longfellow papers (long 16173); organizations; hampton institute; education; correspondence; Manuscripts (1007.001); (LONG-Subcollection); Correspondence (1007.001/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Scholarship Student Correspondence (1007.001/002.003); (LONG-SubseriesName); Letters to Alice Longfellow (1007.001/002.003-001); (LONG-FileUnitName)