Name/Title
Letter believed to be to Henry Aldrich from Julia GoodrichEntry/Object ID
2000.FIC.074Scope and Content
9 x 10 paper folded to create four pages. Believe letter to be written to Henry Aldrich from Julia Goodrich. Julia tells of the health of the children and her husband. She tells of James inability to preach due to illness, and his hiring of a new doctor. She also told Henry that the rent payment will be interest only this coming year, and asks for her mother to visit. Julia (daughter) also adds a post script lamenting that she could not go to spelling school as her brothers did, and she is knitting mittens replacing those that her grandmother had given her and she had outgrown.
[?] Mich Feb 16th 1863
Dear Brother
After so long a
time I again sit down to talk a
while with you. We are in usual
health again except James. Julia has
been having chills again but is better.
I hardly know what to tell you about
James. I think I told you in my last
that he had not preached for 3 or 4
Sabbaths, as soon as he thought he
could stand it he commenced again
& preached 2 Sabbaths & is down
again, every new attack finds him
worse & less able to rally. This time
he only had one distinct chill about
a week ago & is not able to do any
thing yet. His difficulty is mainly
in his head it gets very warm every
afternoon. He has employed a new Dr.
(botanic) who says that he can make him
stronger than he has been for some time
but it will take a long time
pg. 2
Our earthly prospects would now seem
bright if we could all be restored to
health, but this is of course with one who
cannot err. & I try to feel a submissive Spirit.
Thus far Since we have been here we
have had plenty to eat & drink — we have
had plenty of green apples all winter
therefore have never [?]
18th Sat evening — I have been away today
among some of the most active members
of the Church to get James released from
preaching & succeeded well he will
not preach again for a couple of months
during which I hope he will gain
some strength. The boys have gone to
Spelling School tonight a mile & ½
they continue here till 11 oclock at night
I was much surprised to hear of Mrs
Stevens Death but I always thought
her a Christian & I doubt not but our
loss is her eternal gain. Our Father
in heaven knows just when to call His
children home. I well remember the
times you spoke of & many other times
when I enjoyed her Society. May we
pg.3
be prepared to meet again never to part.
It is my opinion that that time is
not far distant when we shall rejoice that
our choice friends are laid peacefully a-
way to rest. Dear Brother how would
you & I stand a trial of our faith?
As to the money you mentioned, as you
have had rather a hard time with the
war perhaps you had better not send it
untill the 1st of June when James will
make a payment on his land. His first
payment will be due the last of Feb.
& when when we left H-ton we could
have met it but our sickness on the
road & other necessary expenses will
prevent his paying any thing more
than the interest & he thinks he will
try & change the time of payment to suit
David’s & your notes. How does Aaron get
along with building? does he keep out of
debt? Julia has just received a letter
from Amy they are well.
Are you sure that it is our Uncle
that lives within a mile of Cold water
pg. 4
Those who are acquainted say he is a
well to do farmer & a very respectable man
I am glad to hear that Mother is well &
remembers me, how can you manage
to get her here & back again for a six
weeks visit but I must close please
write soon Your own dear Sister
Julia A Goodrich
[L?] and May
As Mother is done writing
I thought I would write a little.
She told uncle Henry that the boys Hiram
and Eugene had gone to Spelling school.
I have not been to a Spelling school
this winter I wanted very much to
go to this one but it did not seem
consistent. Tell Grandmother I am
knitting a pair of white mittens
in the stead of those she gave me and
which I outgrew long ago although
they are not yet worn out. Willy
that is baby will shake hands and blow
his nose as well as anybody. Although
he is not yet quite 14 months old
give my love to all the family
Julia GoodrichCollection
Aldrich Family CollectionRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Goodrich, JuliaPerson or Organization
Goodrich, Julia (daughter)Person or Organization
Goodrich, James
