This folder includes the first of several letters to Amanda from Jacob P. Smith. Many of his subsequent letters are signed Paine Smith; Amanda's other correspondents also tend to refer to him as Paine.

In early 1833, Amanda traveled from Warrenton, NC, with plans to stay with relatives in Virginia for at least 12 months.

Paine Smith declared his affections for Amanda in a letter dated 19 June 1833. He included an acrostic, dated 17 June, using the letters from her full name: Amanda Malvina Bellamy.

Amanda's aunt, Elizabeth Clarke, writes that "Paine [Smith] has been quite sick since you left here and is still under the directions of the Doctor at his mother's," adding "I think he is more lovesick than anything else. . . ."

In a letter dated 28 April 1834, Emily Smith warned Amanda that Paine was on the brink of death. Records show Jacob Paine Smith died that very day.

This folder includes the only letter from Amanda's future husband, dated January 1837, and signed "Your most devoted lover, W.H. Smart."

Amanda's aunt writes to her in February 1838: "it greatly delights me that you are so agreeably united to one with whom you think your life will be pleasantly spent," indicating Amanda married W.H. Smart between January 1837 and February 1838.

Eliza J. B. Dunnavent writes, "I should love to see you with your little son[,] what have you named him [?]", suggesting Amanda's son was born in 1839, not 1840, as indicated in some census records.

Letters written before 1838.

The folder includes letter fragments with Amanda Bellamy's signature.

The folder includes receipts bearing the names of Amanda Bellamy and W.H. Smart.

A common link in these letters is Adaline Bellamy Richardson. The first is from Adaline to her father, John Bellamy. The second includes a handwritten note identifying Atwell as "the husband of Adeline Bellamy Richardson (she later married Sylvester Pierce)." The third is written to "Little Sy," and includes a handwritten note identifying Little Sy as Sylvester Pierce.

The folder contains at least one envelope bearing a Confederate stamp. The majority of the envelopes are addressed to Mary Smart in Petersburg, Virginia, often in care of Sylvester Pierce, Esq., which complements census records showing that Amanda's children lived with her sister Adaline's family after her death in 1845.