Transcription
Sunday, March 18th 1883
Dear Pa and Mary
I have been [?] o
mile for his or three? but have
not been well and find so much
to do all the time. When able to work.
Have been obliged to neglect all my
friends in this way. Have not help
yet; except as I hire by the day.
It is more than three months since
Maggie went away & I need not tell
you that is has been uphill busi-
ness for me to do the work all this
time. Have had several opportunities
to take girls—but am waiting for
Maggie to come back to [?]
and as she wants to come back to work
for us. Shall wait a little longer
We have all had terrible colds.
Charles was real sick with his
Page 2
[?] weeks ago: has threatened with
lung fever. Had a doctor several
days. Is able to be out now-but
still coughs hard.
I heard from Fannie a day or so
ago. She wrote to know what was
the reason. I did not write to her.
Think she would find ready excuse
for one is she knew how difficult
it has been for me to get along.
I would like to go down to Milwaukee
some time ago. Horace obtained his
passes–one for himself and one
for me–and I would be glad
to avail myself to the opportunity
to go as I probably cannot go at all
unless I go now. They think it
will do me good to leave dull
care behind for a while. Charles says he can
take care of himself for a day or
so As the passes expire the 1st
shall have to do this week or next.
Page 3
I received a long letter from aunt
[?] last week. Robert is better
can sit down now and rides out
comfortably. Their post master Mr.
Reeves died suddenly of apoplexy
about five months ago and his
bondsman appointed Mrs. Reeves
to take charge of the office until
there would be an official appointment.
There were nine applicants and they
were sure either Robert or Mrs. Reeves
would get it. A few weeks ago Mrs.
Reeves died nearby as her husband
did. Then Robert thought his chances
better than ever. The bondsman gave
him charge of the office and they
waited patiently for the appointment
but it came to another man. Which
of course is a great disappointment.
His other business is all run down.
They expected to go to Pueblo last week
for the trip and visit; as they can
Page 4
get passes anytime.Aunt C wrote
us to sell her house here for $6.00
if possible. I would n't be surprised
if they located in Pueblo.
A.P. felt Wm E's death deeply said
he had been a father to him. Aunt
C wrote that he had sent $50 to R.P.
every time but one that he had written
since he was hurt and regretted his
inability to do more. I do'nt know
how many fifties there were.
People think Wm E has died a
poor man. We think however he has
a small life insurance.
Aunt C inquired about you both
and sent her love to you.
She had heard from [?] wife lately
who wrote that Mrs. Luther Luman is
in very poor health and not expected to
live long. Has a beautiful home in
Cleveland. Mrs. Lewis Merwin is
very feeble and they think she will follow
her husband soon.
I shall be only so glad of the picture
of Emmee's home. Am glad of the picture
of Emmee's home. Am glad she thinks
of me sometimes. Give her my love.
We are having a terrible day- a
very hard snow storms-high wind
and quite cold. Think Higgins
storm is upon us-only a [?] on dates
Reed a nice long letter from Aurelia
a short time ago. She seems to be
getting along splendidly.
I am wondering how you are getting
along all this time. Hope you will not
fail of writing some.
I mst write to Mrs. Olmstead. They
are both feeble and we hear
Mrs. O has given up his little store on
Main Street. They do not hear from
Loretta at all. Ruth only surmised
what they wrote about her marrying Mr. Pratt.
Around margins of pg. 4
Hope this may find you all well-but this is bad
weather for people who are not strong.
Upper margin Pg. 1
Lorraine wrote me that Mrs. Wm E
is quite feeble and they are anxious
about her.
I got [?] passes
over a month ago
but there has not
been a time when
I have felt able
to take the little
trip. I am about
used up and am
fearful that I
cannot go.
My love to you
all.
page 5
end of the town. We have to ascend a hill-It
is a delightful place for walking-there is such a variety
of scenery Eliza and I walk every evening up to
Uncle Thomas. The distance about as far as from your
house down to the canal bridge. I have been there
everyday since I convinced house hiking and
sometimes twice or three times during the day. Eliza
and I went up to the town yesterday and got each of
us a new wrap (calico) just alike and am going over
to Fairview to make them last. Sleeves are all
the foase? here. Fairview and at Wheeling. We are
going to make ours so and I will send you
patterns and the trimmings all fixed over, but will ave
write on them. The waist is [?] ust as you
like no particular way. Uncle Thomas expected to
bring his daughter Eliza [?] with him who has
been gone to Maryland about a year. She will have
fashions. I expect and I will tell you about
there the next time that I write you. I am very
glad to think that mother talks of visiting us [?].
We should be glad to see all of you-I think that
it would be highly beneficial to mothers' health
to come to Belmont County. The air is very pure
& balmy. I never enjoyed better health than I
now do and I look as healthy as I did last winter.
George is well also he says he feels well and has recovered
from his cough. I am sorry that I could not have the pleasure
of seeing cousin Marian Harris. Give my best respects to him
if he has not left.
page 4
How are you all? I hope well George just [?]
me in love to all of you. When [?] could which
will be soon I hope you must tell me all
about the children and write long letters,
I do not request this because I am homesick
because I am not. I am as happy and
lively as I could wish to be. I do not have
to work very hard and have [?] I
have done lots of sewing? I came to 13
and have lots more to do. Two wraps for children.
Address Horace Stevens Esgr
Newton Falls
Trumbull Co
Ohio
Bottom of pg. 4
We are very sorry that you have to pay letter
postage on these papers which we send indeed George
feels very bad about it we did not know that
old Phillip had become so very strict. The Post Master
here is not. He thinks nothing of the name for [?]
being written on papers [?] The winter is very warm there
indeed. To them any prospect of father being Postmaster
How does he get along when [?]
Top of Pg. 1
Tell Harriet & Sophie to write soon if they have not. I
do not get homesick yet but feel in good spirits all the time.
I am very sorry? Mrs. Souls feels so insulted I suppose
she feels it beneath her dignity to cut pieces of essays wedding
cake. I would not [?] to insult her again by
doing any such thing again. She is such a gentle lady
to think I will call on her when I do to Newton
I might perhaps learn how to laugh and sing.
Top of Page 2
How does your garden grow? Have you had green peas or new
potatoes yet? They have turned heres but our garden will be later
but we have had this promised soon from Cousin Tom Foley?
Side of Page 2
Miss Gibbon a young lady that lives a few steps from us
has promised we do.
They are good neighbors
too.
Top of Page 3
Great arrangements are being made for the fourth of July
hers then are to be two celebrations as a Sabbath school schedule
in the four part of Tuesday and a Public Auction and speeches
in the afternoon I except we shall attend in the afternoon.
Page 1
Saturday morning 19th June 1842
My Dear Friends
Your kind letter which I received
the morning found George and Aurelia in "first rate"
health and spirits. I can assure you that we are
very glad to hear from you again. I should not
have answered quite so soon but as cousin Eliza &
myself think of going over to Fairview on next
Monday to spend a few days I thought. I would
not delay writing. Eliza is with us. We have few
times together. George is obliged to stay in the town
the most of his time as John has gone to interview to
school & Uncle Thomas Shannon has gone to
Batlin and Mr. Lay has gone to Plainsville-
today. I was very sorry to hear of the death of
Mrs. Sanderly she was lady whom I respected
very highly I rather expected to hear of the death
of Mrs. Kidderfirst. I learned also of the death
of Mr. Baldwin of Warren—from the Ohio Statesman.
It is very healthy in this town and concerned through
the county we hear of no sickness except the
measles which is the prevailing disease of Barnsville.
page 2
Perhaps my friends at home would be glad to know
how their children fare. We have the best of neighbors
Mrs. Fry (Uncle Thomas daughter) is as good almost as
a mother to me. If she has anything that I
have not she divides with me- Eliza & I spent
the afternoon with her yesterday [?] I have by this
time become pretty well acquainted with the ladies
of Barnesville and like them much.They were six
then called one evening last week on Thursday
of this week. George and I gave a party consisting
of between twenty & thirty ladies & gentlemen. It
shaped up well–I had first rate cake for over
of four kinds & I have to bake in a reflection
before the fire but I have got so used to it there
I like it very well- Eliza George & myself
attended Quaker meeting on last Sabbath morning
about a mile & a mile & half from town. I had a
very pleasant walk. The church is in a delightful
place.It is uphill & downhill all the way.
Barnesville is a very pleasant village but not
so tastily laid out as Newton. The buildings
are principally built of brick and are made
completely together therefore the village does not
cover as much ground as Newton's. There is but one
principle structure which runs very straight through
the village n entering the village at either.