Born digital book of the transcribed engagement letters of Jane Renwick Smedberg and John "Jack" Wilkes. Jane Smedberg was the daughter of a wealthy New York Merchant. John Wilkes was the son of a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and an officer in the U.S. Navy. He was one of the earliest graduates of the United States Naval Academy (USNA). The couple settled in Charlotte during the mid-1800s and became members of the city's white elite class. John was involved in gold mining, flour milling, iron works, and banking. Jane was a noted philanthropist, donating money for the creation of St. Peter's Hospital (a forerunner of Atrium Health) and Good Samaritan Hospital (no longer extant). Good Samaritan or "Good Sam" was the first private hospital in North Carolina for Black residents. They were both active members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Both were also active participants in the war effort on behalf of the Confederate States of America. These letters were transcribed by Shelia Bumgarner who also researched and added significant contextual footnotes. Editing and additional research was completed by John O'Connor. Both are Librarians in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.