Transcription
Barnesville, Ohio 7th August
Friday morn 1840
My dear Friends
After waiting long and anxiously to
receive a letter from you I have at last concluded
to write fearing perhaps that some one of you was
sick. You most likely have received two letters
from us since you have written. We have been
well and happy as we could wish. I do not
feel very well but shall be better tomorrow. The
great Camp meeting is approaching very near
and the citizens of Barnesville are very busy
preparing for it. I am going at it next week.
The meeting commences the 18th which is next
Thursday. I have been making some preserves of
plums and pears. The plums were given me and
the pears I went after and paid for them. They
were not very ripe and rather small. George
bought some yesterday which were beautiful.
I have some very good friends here and would
not exchange them for some of your Newton Falls.
Some of the methodist are very clever but we
see through it. They expect I will unite with their church.
Along margin: ______ _____ if you have _____ and
write next week.
If the methodists here were like those of Newton Falls I would
unite with them but as we don't like them I shall not.
If I unite with any church in this part of the state
I think it will be the church at Lakeview (Presbyterian).
I think George will unite when I do. I received
an invitation a day or two ago by one of the
hosts of methodist to spend my time at their
tent but I shall not. We expect considerable
company and I have my washerwoman (colored)
engaged to help serve during the meeting therefor
I shall not be obliged to wash–very hard. I
enjoy myself first rate. I have become quite well
acquainted here and the ladies some of them are
here about every day with this work. Eliza and Mary
Galliland came over last week and spent the afternoon
with me and returned the same evening. It is
only five miles but it is a greater task to go the
distance in the buggy than it is to go to Warren the
same way it is so hilly. I love to go horseback very
much. Eliza is coming over next week to stay
some time with me. I received a letter from her
yesterday morning. I am going over there this ___
to make another visitation. I must think about
closing for it is dinner time. I have not been at all
Homesick–is it not strange? I would not
wish to live in Newton if it were not for you. I
suppose you have concluded to come and see us this fall.
Tell Sophie that I will write to her after Camp meeting
is over and tell her all about it. Please give my
love to her and Mrs. Kiaden also to Aunt Harriet
and grandfather Aunt Esther and all of their family.
and also to Mrs.Lynin and Ma Easlies folks. We shall
expect a letter from you before long. I shall not write again
till after the Camp meeting is over. I can't know how long it will
last but they expect to have their quarterly meeting to
follow in continuance with the Camp meeting. The new goods
(this fall and winter stock) came yesterday, and George is very
busy and expects to be for some time. They sell a great
many goods but mostly for tobaco which is as good
to them as money. Tell Harriet that we should b_____
pleased to hear from her soon as convenient. Please give
my love to her____ and Sarah. We are expecting Uncle
William and Aunt Sarah Shannon next week to pay
us a visit. I must close for I intend to write to
Eliza this afternoon. George joins with me in love
to all the family. Kiss Julia and Frank for me and
tell Sylvester that I want to see him very much. There
is going to be a good school in the academy in town
commencing the first of October. If they take such
boys as Sylvester we should be very happy to have him
come and go to school. One of the Professors of the school
is expecting to bring his wife to take charge of the female
department. I should be very glad if Laura could attend.
Along margin: I am expecting Eliza Shannon this afternoon
I am up there every day or two.
Envelope: Mrs. Aurelia T Stevens
Newton Falls
Trumbull County
Single Ohio