the Gibbon family was a well-known Richmond, VA military family in the early 1800s. They are most known today because James Gibbon, Jr. (the addressed in the letter provided) famously died at the Richmond Theatre Fire in 1811.

This 1807 letter apparently refutes a popular theory about James Gibbon, Jr. concerning his love life. The (myth) story goes that he met and fell in love with the beautiful Sally Conyers in November 1811, shortly before they attended the theatre and both died in the blaze.

However, I believe this letter makes specific reference to a "Miss C" that would suggest the Gibbon family, and James in particular, already knew Sally. I can't make sense of the handwriting, though, and can't figure out what, if anything, James Gibbon, Sr. says about "Miss C". Care to help out?

Pages are here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2mK8SZfc7sOcmpnSUE2UzI2ZUk&usp=sharing

Thanks so much!