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Thomas Della Torre, Autograph Letter Signed ("T.D.T”) to his brother John C. Della Torre in Columbia, S.C., Rosemill, K.Y.[?] October, 1856. 2 p. Inventory# 21147 $500 Transcript:
“I know the following item will tickle Father and Mother as much as it did me. Black John being a sound sleeper is not given to early rising, and Uncle James frequently has trouble to get him into the house by separated ringings of the bell in the morning. One morning last week he rang & rang and still no John came. I’ll get the rascal up, quoth Uncle J. in great indignation, saying which, he got him a supple switch and proceeded to Cyrus’ house. Now you must know John was indeed up, but out of hearing at the cow pen - but our young man (Wm) was then the sole tenant of the room. Enjoying his luxurious morning’s nap. The windows were shut & the room therefore quite dark. In walked Uncle James, saw something bundled up head & all under the blankets, was certain ‘twas John, pulled down the covering, saw a pair of legs squinched up, thought still it was John, and dexterously drew his switch several times over the legs. When a squeal assailed his ears, and a voice rose from the indistinct body that retreated by a rapid succession of jumps to the other side of the bedstead. ‘Mussy Masa James! taint John, taint John, de me sir!’ Tho’ roused so suddenly from slumber, the fellow knew by a kind of instinct who it was laying on, and for whom intended - and tho’ it was an accident the young man has not kept his bed, one morning since, after Cyrus rises. I thought he came into my room a little earlier than usual that morning, but could not account for it till breakfast time when Uncle James with fits of laughter told me of the mischance that had overtaken ‘Billy’ as he calls him. William, waiting on table, nearly twisted off his mouth during the narrative...”
Faculty member, College of Charleston - Thomas della Torre (Latin and Greek, 1898-1923). Mentions Tacitus in this letter. 1850 census St Michael and St Phillip, Charleston, SC
A Della Torre abt 1780 Italy. Owner, Saw mill
Margaret Torre abt 1798 South Carolina
Peter Torre abt 1818 South Carolina, Lawyer
Resene [Rosine] Torre abt 1830 South Carolina
Mary Torre abt 1829 South Carolina
Thomas Torre abt 1832 South Carolina
John C Torre abt 1834 South Carolina
H Torre abt 1816 Hannover
Catherine Torre abt 1821 Hannover
Henry Torre abt 1849 South Carolina
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