Miss Bettie, 

Yours were gladly received and diligently perused two days ago, and now in response I will try to interest, or absorb your attention for a few moments.  For the last week we have had considerable excitement at the University of New York, the college I am in; many wanting to remove to some southern college, and some in favour of remaining until the 4th of March; the latter predominated in number consequently we will remain until the examinations at which time I expect to receive my diploma, and then will be free.  You asked when I expected to return?  I will be free to returne any time after the 4th of March.  Thank you for your wish of engagement, and I will assure you, it seems impossible almost for one to become lonely or dull, in this metro- polis; where he can see something new every minute, curiosities of all kinds, in fact I may say the city is a world within itself. You may suppose the different scenes of this city, has a tendency to throw a shaddow of insignificance over the passed (past), and cause one to forget those who he has left behind; it may be so to some extent, but, there is one who finds a place in my mind, and is a topic of my imagination.  That one is to me as an angel, and at night she finds the way to my bedside, speaking soothing & pleasant words which make me one of the happiest of beings, when I wake I find it's all a dream and am only sorry because it's not real.  Was I with you, wonder if I could tell you without blushing, the one to whom I allude, the boon of my affection, is you.  A trip sometime not far distant I will have the pleasure of showing you some of the curiosities & scenes of this metropolis.  But now I must tell you what I have wished you to know for some time, that is, I love you; and believe you, are the only requisite necessary to make me happy; and believe, I can make you happy, at least I would do all one could do, to promote your happiness.  In response to this, tell me if you will become my owne, my bride, in life or death your place shal be by my side, and say you claim me as yours.  I guess you can imagine how I will feel until I receive an answer, and not keep me waiting very long, be considerate and not doom me to misery in your answer to this.  Write soon. 
                                        Respectfully  your admirer,
                                                  John S. Taft
 

Miss Bettie's admirer was 22 year old John Sullivan Taft who was born September 10th, 1838 in Pitt County, NC, the son of Louisa (Stancil) and Arnold Taft (5) (Thaddeus (4), (Aaron (3),  Joseph (2),  Robert (1).    Bettie was Elizabeth Boyd, probably daughter of Iram and Sarah Boyd, born in NC about 1839.  She and John S. Taft were married in Pitt County, North Carolina according to the International Genealogical Index.  Their children were: Lena, born 1864;  Minnie L., in 1867, John E. Born 1869; Emma Jean (1871- 1945) and Ella (Ethel), born 1875.  

Emma Jean Taft and her husband Lincoln Lesh were parents of the late Charles Lincoln Lesh, who, with his wife, Mary Bird Phillips Lesh have been long-time members of the Taft Family Association.  And it is to Mary we are indebted for this most interesting letter.

From "Taft Tree Talk" Number 40 of May 2001, Newsletter of the Taft Family Association.  Original letter in possesion of Mary Bird Phillips Lesh, widow of Charles Lincoln Lesh. 
President: Patricia Allen   V.P. and Genealogist:  Neil B. Todd

           Taft Family Reunion Saturday June 23, 2001