Letter from H.F.P., dated 1863-06-21

[deleted]was[/deleted] very good, as was the Poem also and I believe gave general satisfaction - but [underline]J. G. Whittier[/underline] was not able to be there and the Poem was read by George Chase. They adjourned as usual to The Fillmore House where Dr. Tobey Moses Cartland and several others interested the audience for about an hour when we left. I suppose the Oration and Poem will be published soon. After the Yearly had closed on fifth day evening a meeting was held for the young people - something like the one they had in New York. I was not there but I understood there were about thirty spoke. There seems to be quite an awakening among the young people. Sister Elisabeth was in town every day I believe, and attended the morning [setting?], but she is feeble. I do not know as I have written thee since brother Ed [Munds?] death - it took place last 12th month - his house was sold. I suppose it was on account of dividing the property. Fanny is now with her sister Susan near Philadelphia.

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Providence 6th mo 21st 1863

My dear Cousin

Thy very acceptable letter came to hand while I was at Newport and as I remained at N. a day after the meeting closed I did not have the pleasure of reading it until yesterday. I really did not know whether I was in Thy debt or not but have been thinking of writing Thee and concluded to wait until after Yearly Meeting so as to give Thee a little account of it. I was under some discouragement about attending this year, as my husband was so situated that he could not go with me, (which had not been the case before in many years) and I had been absent from home a month this spring, but it seemed hardly right for us all to stay away so I concluded to go taking Josephine with me. Thou knows we make it our home at cousin Edward Sherman's and

when cousin Lizzie wrote about two weeks previous to say they should expect us, she mentioned that their son Walter had the measles - and I thought very probably the other children would come down with the same disease about yearly Meeting time and sure enough when we got there we found three in bed and Walter still in the nursery - so that they had no lodgers excepting Josey and myself and invited no company through the week, which was very unlike former years - and then at cousin Williams there were none of our Uncles and Aunts excepting Uncle D. and Aunt M. [Shone?]. Abner and Sarah Slade attended the first three days but many of Uncle Asa's family were prevented from coming by the illness of Daniel Anthony cousin [Anny's?] son who has been sick nearly a year, and within the last two months had had several severe ill turns but would rally between them so as to be able to

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ride out but the last carried him off - he died on second day morning Y. Meeting week aged fourteen years and the funeral took place on fourth day. They expressed a wish to have Sybil Jones attend it, and cousin William took a carriage and carried Sybil, cousin Edward and myself up to Fall River, and after spending a little time with the family, attended the funeral at the meeting house, and returned to Newport the same evening. Our annual gathering was large, it was said that there were more Friends on the Island than ever before. The names of the ministers in attendance Thou wilt probably learn from The Review - many of them were very much exercised and imparted much good council during the sittings which were probably about twenty in number, for the various purposes of Worship, discipline, Education, Bible societies &c. The Alumni Meeting was very large and interesting. The Oration by Moses Cartland on the "Mission of Poetry" was

When I took half a sheet I thought it would be sufficient - but I have not told Thee about my visit to Baltimore - my sister Ruth had been sick nine months and from what I could learn there seemed to be no prospect of my ever seeing her again unless I went to Baltimore - but there were obstacles in the way which seemed insurmountable and I gave up the idea for the present - but about the middle of the fourth month Sarah Toby came to see me and said she was going to Baltimore with her daughters to spend a little time, for the benefit of Lillie's health and she came to invite me to go with them. The Dr. would go with them and leave them. [we?] concluded then the way had opened for me and I decided to go - when I arrived

[in left margin:]

Moses Beede attended Y.M. but is feeble E Meeder is well.

however I found her able to be about her [room?] and before I left she rode and walked a little way - but was still feeble and no appetite and after I left the Dr. urged her coming north - said it was the only thing that would do her any good - but it seemed like presumption for her to come without Lizzie to take care of her, and she could not leave Anna the latter is so often sick - but Ruth concluded to risk it and came to New York and stayed a week there and Samson went on from here and brought her to Newport last fifth day - she had improved very much since I left her - but the weather is so cool I am afraid she will get sick. The Dr. was very anxious that she should try Newport first. They have changed their physician and both Ruth and Anna have inproved since. They have had Dr. Thomas. Lillie Toby is a great deal better - looks as well as ever

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she did. The Dr.'s family are all well. Their sons have not been sick since last summer. John the married one who went to the war for three months had an attack of fever after his return. Samuel and Tom who are now in service have been home on a furlough this spring. Tom is now at Vicksburgh. My daughters [?] me in much love to Thee and Thy family.

I remain affectionately Thy cousin

H. F. P.

suspense, and his situaiton was more favorable than we have reason to expect, we had supposed that he might be in the army if he was still alive - he desired us not to believe the reports that have been in circulation stating that they were on the verge of starvation. There was nothing of the kind nevertheless I fear they have been put to great inconvenience for the want of many things they have been accustomed to enjoy. The old mill is still idle - for more than two years no sound has been heard within the walls except the watchmen's tread - and now and then brushing up the machinry - Joseph is City Treasurer which gives him constant employment - but the salary is not sufficient to support his family at the present prices of almost every article of consumption - but it is better than nothing. I was glad to hear that Horace had sold his farm, for Mary was not strong enough to have so much care - and now she is nearer to you - how could she spare James to go West? I suppose he will like farming there better than in Vermont. We were glad to hear that William's health was so much better - indeed the prospect is very gloomy with regard to a termination of the war - but we must hope and trust