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The remainder of the letters were primarily composed by Theodore Drake and Mary Jane
(Jennie) McQuivey. For a period of four years they carried out their courtship
and along the way, they became "secretly" engaged. Jennie's elder brothers, Charles and William,
both died as a result of the war. William F. was killed in Battle at the siege of Petersburg, Virginia.
Charles L. died at home shortly after his return home from the war, of complications of
typhoid.
As you will see in the letters, Jennie teased Theodore with out mercy by relating to him every incident with
every possibly interested suitor that crossed her path. However, Theodore hung
on to the bitter end, when they did marry in May of 1871. Even at the apparent opposition of Jennie's father,
who professed a deep dislike of poor Theodore and made this fact known to all who would listen.
Charles F. McQuivey referred to Theodore as the dutch hog! My personal theory on
this matter is that Mr. McQuivey resented Theo for surviving the war when his own sons did not.
I have no idea how many people have had the chance to "know" their great-great-grandparents but
I would be willing to bet that it is not a very large number. At various times I found
myself liking and dis-liking both of them a great deal. At times I became so involved in
their trials and tribulations, that I needed a jolt back to reality!
I often wonder if Jennie and Theo
had a happy life together and I truly hope that they did.