Letter from Thomas J. Goree to E.D. Nolley, asking for Nolley's consent to marry his daughter.

              Thomas J. Goree to E.D. Nolley, November 14, 1867
[Goree Family Papers MSS. - LS.]

                                              Near Huntsville Texas Novr 14th 1867.
   Col E. D. Nolley
        Durant Miss
                             Dear Sir:
                                          I have the honor to address you upon a
very interesting and delicate subject, to ask your consent to my
marriage with your daughter (Miss E.T. Nolley).
    Of course before yielding an approval, you would wish to be informed
of myself and circumstances.     As to my habits, character, family, &c
&c I will say nothing, but will if desired give you the best of references.
I am just 32 years of age, born and lived 15 years near Marion Ala.
Am a lawyer by profession, had practiced a year or two before the war
in copartnership with Col W.P. Rogers, a distinguished lawyer, formerly
a resident of Aberdeen Miss.  In June 1861 I went to Virginia and
joined the Army, and served faithfully during the war.  From the 18th of
July 1861 to 9th of April 1865.  I served on the Staff of Genl Longstreet to
whom I am pleased to refer you as to my character &c.
   After the war, finding that there was very  little money to be made
at my profession.  I engaged in farming, but on account of excessive
rains & worms, have not met with success.  I shall attempt planting
again next year but necessarily on a reduced scale.
   I am poor, and have very little to offer your daughter, but an honest
loving heart and a willing hand.  She knows exactly my circumstan-
ces and after mature deliberation has accepted my offer.  I now
ask your consent to our marriage.  She will soon (if not already) com-
municate with yourself or her Mother upon the subject.
      I hope that you will not think that this is a hasty & premature engage-
ment.  Miss N and myself have been acquainted for months, and both of us

have had time to thoroughly know our own minds and hearts.
    Your lamented daughter (Mrs Otey) was my sincere friend, and I flatter
myself that this suit would have met with her approbation.
     If I am honored Sir by an alliance with your family, I hope
that you & yours will never have cause to regret it.
       Hoping that this will meet with your favorable consideration
and that you will reply at your earliest convenience.  I am
                                                                        Very Respectfully
                                                                                        Thos. J. Goree

P.S.  I will refer you to Rev Mr Cockran, Dr T.W. Markham, Dr J. Branch
and Judge James Baker or Col L A Abercrombie Huntsville Texas
or to Capt Murphy, Huntsville Texas.  To Hol P.W. Gray Houston Texas.
Ex Gov A.B. Moore Marion Ala.
                                                         Goree

If you think it necessary to write to any of the above named
gentlemen, let it be Mr Cochran, for I have told him all and
asked his advice in the matter, and then if you wish farther
information apply to Gen Longstreet.  These are all men of
the highest standing- best this town is a great place for
gossip.  I want to teach until June, it will take me that
long to get earn, and you know that will be a long time
for people to talk.  In your reply to Capt G. say nothing
of my intentions on that point.  I shall tell him, when he
left here.  I did not know that The Trustees would permit
me to teach at all without a "head sentre".  Please [MS. illegible]
this letter soon, he is an impatient little fellow, though
my poor sister used to say emphatically, "There is a manliness
about him hardly seen."