Name/Title
Letter from James and Julia to Father concerning a letter from Elizabeth (Aldrich?).Entry/Object ID
2000.FIC.047Scope and Content
This is a four page letter from James and Julia (no last name given) to "Father". The letter concerns receipt of a letter from Elizabeth (Aldrich) providing news of friends and family. There is also discussion of personal health - Julia had a bad cold with significant lung congestion. Concern for future travel plans is expressed.
Sunbury May 10 /3-2
Dear Brother,
Julia Ann received a letter
this morning from Elizabeth, giving us much
information which we desired & for which we
were greatful. I sit down this evening to
pen a few words to you, leaving Julia to
answer Elizabeth’s letter, which she will do
as soon as convenient. Craving the blessing
of our common Father upon you all I
subscribe myself your son & brother.
We are in common health
except Julia. She took a hard cold some
days since, & it seemed to settle upon her
lungs, & she was threatened with lung-fever[pneumonia]
for some days; it has resulted I think in the
proper phthisic with intermittent fever.
Julia Ann is giving, has a a lobelia-emetise, today
& using mustard plasters on her stomach
in hope that it may relieve her, but I
think it quite doubtful whether she
will be able to go to Michigan next week.
You know we talked of going one week ago
to day; but the roads were so bad that
we could not. I then wrote to Father that
we would put it off two weeks; he wrote to
my brothers & they also delayed for the purpose of
PG.2
meeting me there next week. I fear they will
be disappointed again. To see friends is desirable
but the duties I owe to my own family are first.
I have expected one of the boys down here this
spring; but I fear I shall not see them.
I feel rather lonely as you may suppose, in
prospect of not seeing my friends this spring as
I anticipated; but all is in the hands of God,
& there I am willing to leave it. Yet how
many times do I detect my own heart in
murmuring & repining at my lot, & some-
times it seems to me the wickedest part of
my life. Then gain I think “will not the
God of all the earth do right,” & can I not
willingly bear whatsoever he lays upon me?
But if I had known before I commensed in
the ministry what I now know, I presume
I should never have commensed, yet I regret
not that I have tried to preach Christ to a
dying world. All I ask for myself is grace to
sustain me in the work, & make me useful.
The affairs of the church move on here as
usual. we have a very good prayer meeting
every Wednesday evening, & sometimes prayer
meeting, & sometimes preaching Sabbath evening.
We have a good Sabbath school, increasing in interest,
Spiritual coldness is our greatest complaint
PG.3
There is some talk of an arrangement being made
for me to preach to the Genoa Church every
sabbath after noon at 1 o clock, which is
miles from this place. If I should do
this, it would impose a very scarce labour
upon me, but it would relieve the Sunbury
Church somewhat, say from $50.00 to $75.00
I shall know whether this arrangement will be
made this week. Elizabeth asked some questions,
which I will answer briefly, until Julia Ann
can answer them more fully. Julia Ann
was not able to do her work atall, & I hired a
Miss Eliza Shafer, about 15 years old for 6/- per
week, a very good girl I think. I think we
shall keep her all summer, the children are
well except Julia as I have told you. Eugene
is rather growing poor, but I do not know as
we can call him sick. Ira is gone west, & Lorain
is in Alexandra, well the last I herd.
In regard to the letter which Elizabeth wrote
to you, in which you found no complaints from
us, we knew not she had written until she
had sealed the letter & we had no opportunity
to write. Naughty Girl! In regard to her not
taking pay for her work here, I do not consider
my self to blame for I urged her too, & would rather
have paid her; but she would not take the money.
PG. 4
Now as you & mother are growing old, &
according to Elizabeth’s letter growing feble,
I have only to express my hope that your
last days may be your best days; that you
may meet death as those who are fully
prepared to enter into the joys of your Lord.
We shall not probably visit you until
fall. Give our respects to all who inquire, &
our love to all the family.
Yours as ever,
James & Julia Ann.Collection
Aldrich Family Collection
