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From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
John Wallace
Date:
16 November 1844
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/92/6
Summary:

Coming summer vacation will join ladies visiting northern Georgia; hope to have ARW with us. Ship’s captain, a Frenchman, accidentally set a lady passenger’s dress afire with his cigar. Slaves are “a happy people altogether...do not feel their own misery, as we do for them” but most never get “a kind look or smile” from their “employers” [masters]. They have great love of dress, great gentility, many become preachers. Her American “expedition has succeeded very well.” ARW could make good life here as Engineer/Land surveyor. Good marriages among gentry; “they all have either money or land...Talents are a fortune here.”

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
Date:
20 December 1844
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/92/8
Summary:

Locals invite us over, desire to socialize with English people. Elegant styles, fashions, homes, but tell us “20 years ago this place was thick forest inhabited only by native Indians.” Visitors don’t walk much here; travel in the area via horseback or carriages, though roads very bad.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Wallace, John & Wallace, William
Date:
3? January 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/92/9
Summary:

First day back teaching school after summer. Praises Southern hospitality towards strangers. In answer to ARW’s query, describes farm animals: cows, sheep, pigs, poultry, oxen. Good gardens. Mocking birds and squirrels common. Indians have been driven west beyond Rocky Mountains — “We are situated where the Cherokee used to live.”

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
Date:
4 May 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/1
Summary:

Adding pupils a few girls at a time, will be making £100 in six months. “Tell Herbert I have seen no Indians and no wild beasts.” We shall see friendly Indians in Alabama. Wildflowers delightful; in nearby woods azaleas, cloves, and jasmine are common.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
Date:
14 May 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/2
Summary:

Living with delightful family, leave each morning to teach school. Comfortable and healthy. Wishes she could invite mother (with caregiver) to come and stay, but cannot house them.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
Date:
22 May 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/3
Summary:

After bumpy, rough 200-mile carriage ride to Montgomery, Alabama, was graciously received by hosts. Later visited the Jackson’s plantation in countryside. First Episcopal Bishop of Georgia wrote letters of introduction. Good Library at house. “Servants” [slaves] live well here and are “well regulated” without using “harsh words to the poor things. I never do,” and they respond readily to kindness.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Alfred Russel Wallace
Date:
June 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/4
Summary:

Life with the Jacksons and their ten children pleasant in country home in the woods. Unlike at other plantations, “servants” [slaves] “live well here...not a harsh word said to the poor things.” Servants are permitted to socialize with each other when day’s work is done. Likes country social life among Alabama gentry. Thinks ARW would do well as Engineer and Surveyor in Montgomery.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Henry Walter Bates
Date:
26 June 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/13
Summary:

Lists 90 insect specimens sent in box of duplicates, including some to be identified and a series of Aphodius from the Brecknockshire Beacons; describes insects and plants collected there; plans for an insect cabinet and thorough study of a few (Coleoptera) families. “Best capture” was the “most beautiful” Trichius fasciatus, the Bee Beetle.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
Date:
7 July 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/5
Summary:

Now established as teacher, has almost 30 girl pupils; accepted in local society. People try to match me with local gentlemen; don’t want a beau, focused on career. Established a school without capital, “could not be done in England”; works 10-hour days. Desires to reunite and re-locate family in Georgia, urges ARW (“I long for him every day”) and brother Jim to join her. They could set up successful Engineering and Surveying Company, then buy land, marry well, and become gentlemen farmers; in their letters they show no interest. English people don’t understand that each state has own customs, manners, and laws “as separate as the different countries of Europe.” Climate healthy, abundant watermelons, peaches, apples, pears, corn. Includes note to ARW and Jim that promising possibilities exist also in Texas.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Wallace, Alfred Russel & Wallace, John
Date:
21 July 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/6
Summary:

Discusses life choices and circumstances. Ponders going to Texas, but is pleased with current situation. Detailed descriptions of the countryside, fresh produce, social life. In separate note to ARW and Jim (Repeat of WCP 170) begs them to consider emigrating to Georgia, where they would surely prosper. Describes light-skinned “yellow” Negro couple who had a very light-skinned infant with “blue eyes and flaxen hair.” Both blacks and whites grieved when the “beautiful child” sickened and died; but “it would have been sad to see a white boy [be raised as] a slave.”

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Wallace, Alfred Russel & Wallace, Herbert Edward & Wallace, John
Date:
1 September [1845]
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/7
Summary:

Gentlemen owners of the school property offer her headmistress post and a house, but she declines since “neither [brother] will come over and join me in my plans.” Robinson House will have nine rooms, with schoolrooms detached from the abode. Was teaching some entomology and “constantly thinking of you dear Alfred.” Asks if he knows about the mysterious “blood rain,” which was scientifically explained by crimson fluid left on trees at night by thousands of butterflies. Amused at credulity of black girls to whom she teaches reading Sundays on her own time. They think England must be a poor Country, as the Brits have no black people to raise their cotton, corn, and watermelons, and so have none. “Indoor Slaves are happy creatures when their Mistresses are kind, and wish for nothing better.” Includes separate note to Mama about her distress at being pressured to marry a local gent; ‘finally declined” his offer of marriage, as she does not love him.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Henry Walter Bates
Date:
3 October 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/14
Summary:

Have been surprisingly unsuccessful at collecting many insects, despite being constantly outdoors in the Welsh countryside this summer doing surveying work. Paucity of insects to collect. List of duplicate specimens ARW could have if he likes; located and bought copy of Shuckard's "Coleoptera," an illustrated treatise on beetles.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
Date:
10 October [1845]
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/93/8
Summary:

Repeats that she is glad about Mr. Lloyd’s agreement to end his persistent courtship of her, which had caused her some anxiety, as mentioned in WCP1272; glad she finally decided to firmly decline; he graciously offers to remain a devoted friend. Will enter new school 25 Jan 1846; intends to send for their younger brother Herbert soon. Satisfied to be teacher, does not want responsibilities of becoming Headmistress. “Wish I possessed a fairy wand which could emancipate all slavery” but fears that might also unleash “all rising against their masters (the whites in general) without reserve….even the kind-hearted masters.”

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Henry Walter Bates
Date:
13 October 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/15
Summary:

Exchanges and trades insect specimens with other collectors; very slight difference between Donacia impressa and D. linearis; planning design of a new insect cabinet; Mr Kirby's cabinet; Ray Society publications; butterfly Colias hyale.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
To:
[Thomas?] [Wilson?]
Date:
18? October 1845
Source of text:
  • Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/91/2
  • Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/91/2
Summary:

Writes her brother at request of sons John and ARW, concerning their Legacies which should have been paid upon the death of their late uncle. They are anxious and need the money for their businesses; “never once doubted your good intentions,” but please inform them when they may expect a payment from you.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Henry Walter Bates
Date:
9 November 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/16
Summary:

Acknowledges arrival of beetles from Bates; design and costs of crafted insect cabinets and storage boxes. “Have you read [Chambers’] 'Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation' or is it out of your line?”

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Frances ("Fanny") Sims (née Wallace)
To:
Mary Ann Wallace (née Greenell)
Date:
29 November 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/92/7
Summary:

Wants more letters from the family. School boys helping to build large schoolroom. Looking forward to summer, when fruits abundant; tired of eating Poultry. During walk saw “kind of cavalcade” that turned out to be a traveling party of traders with Negroes for sale. Watched through tears at cart of young children; “extraordinary feeling of seeing human beings being driven to market.” “They are treated like beasts and their spirits broken. They exhibit a fine taste for music and sing anything they hear.” She believes that their babies born very light- skinned, but “become darker” as they grow up.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Henry Walter Bates
Date:
28 December 1845
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/17
Summary:

Insect cabinets and boxes; opines that "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation" is “ingenius [sic] theory” supported by “striking facts” but “remains to be proved” by more facts about “progressive development of species”; Lawrence's “Lectures on Man” interesting on formation of human races; Pritchard's physical history of man; distinction between species and varieties in man; Humboldt's "Cosmos" supports similar theories.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Henry Walter Bates
Date:
11 April 1846
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/11
Summary:

Exchanging monthly lists of insect acquisitions; plans to keep journal recording each natural capture with location, time, and notes; periodical appearance of insects; meteorology; lists Coleoptera taken in March 1846; opinion of the writings of Lyell, Darwin and Humboldt; Kirby and Spencer's entomology; Spry's figures; lack of natural historians and books in Neath.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Henry Walter Bates
Date:
3 May 1846
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, London: NHM WP1/3/12
Summary:

Coleoptera specimens wanted from Bates's list, specimens he has available for exchange; sending tracing of a map showing Crymlin [Crymlyn] Burrows, geology and plants there; describes Neath and Swansea valleys including a small ink sketch; plans to collect in Swansea area; Dilwyn's catalogue of Swansea Coleoptera; discusses entomological pins and microscopes.

Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project