Henry William Ravenel, 1814-1887: Private Journal 1884-1887:Page 32

July 1885 Aiken S.C.

W. 22 Very hot - Sue improving Th. 23 President J. M. McBryde of S. C. College, called here yesterday afternoon & again this morning. He has come over from Columbia especially to see my collection of plants. The Trustees are in hopes of making the purchase at some future time. I shall be glad to have my old Alma mater, to be the custodian of collection - the labors of my life time. Nothing is decided upon definitely. I offered my whole collection & all my botanical works for $1,500, with which he seemed satisfied. I have some 10 to 12 thousand species altogether of plants 
F 24 Gen. Grant died yesterday morning about 8 AM at Mt McGreggor New York, whither he had been carried some 2 or 3 weeks ago He died of cancer of the tongue, & has been in a dying state for many weeks. There is universal sympathy expressed all over the country, South as well as North. S 25. Warm & clear.
Sunday 26 Very hot! Sue now sits out in the piazza in a rocking chair and is slowly regaining her strength. Heavy shower in afternoon. M. 27 Very hot! rain again in afternoon T, 28 clear and warm. Mary went over to Augusta last Thursday to spend a week or two with Minnie Chaffee. She writes much pleased with her visit.
M 29 Warm & clear. Sue improving - sits out in piazza in arm Chair
Th. 30 Very hot! F. 31. Hot. Shower in afternoon. Sowed bed of Rutabaga
August S. 1   Hot & variable. Sowed Red top Turnip seed, Mary returned from her visit to Mary Chaffee in Augusta this afternoon. Sunday 2. Rain in afternoon. M. 3 Clear. T. 4 Clear & pleasant.
W. 5 Clear a warm, Will Washburn still has typhoid fever, but not a very severe attack, - over 3 weeks now. Th. 6    Clear & hot.
F. 7 Clear & warm. S. 8 Rain in afternoon. Sunday 9. Clear & warm.