I looked up. Edward had drifted closer. "That matches up with the birth certificate I found in the records office," I noted, but it was hard to know if he was paying attention. His gaze was riveted on the letter so I continued.
By all accounts, James was a happy, smart and enjoyable boy who grew up to attend college and eventually earn a law degree. He was very loyal to the Suffolk family, for he had no other relatives or family ties. Young Bonnie never spoke much about his father. It was too difficult to talk about. Bonnie died of a fever just a few days after James entered law school, so, more than ever, he turned to his 'adopted' family, the Suffolks. In the envelope, I've included a marriage certificate dated April 4th, 1837. On that day, James Henry Milton married Clarissa Moore, a wealthy banker's youngest daughter. In addition, I've sent you a copy of a birth certificate for their first born, a daughter named Mary Virginia born in 1842. I'm afraid this is where the trail ends on my side. James and Clarissa moved to Ohio for James's law practice. They wrote often at first, but as time passed and their lives got busy, the correspondences slowed. I hope this gives a little insight into the woman who once lived in your house.
* * *
Sincerely,
Henrietta Suffolk
I sighed. "How sad that I'm not going to be able to thank her for taking the time to write and send the certificates." I lifted my eyes from the letter.
Edward was standing close by staring down at the documents on the table. "A lawyer," he said, "an admirable profession." There was a hitch in his usually fluid tone.
"It certainly is." I picked up the birth certificate. "And he had a daughter. You're a grandfather. I can do more research to find out what happened to Mary Virginia, but only if you want me to. Otherwise, I'll stop looking."
His face popped up. "You can't stop now. Do you stop a chapter before the end of a book? I want to know. Don't you?"
I laughed. "Yes. Yes, I do."
Port Danby meets Firefly Junction in the next book, Double Trouble.
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About the Author
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London Lovett is the author of the Port Danby, Firefly Junction and Starfire Cozy Mystery series. She loves getting caught up in a good mystery and baking delicious, new treats!
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Calamity at the Carnival Page 17