Letter from H.F.P., dated 1864-06-13

Dear T. & J.

I thought I would let you see this before I answered it - please send some word about it. I do not think any farmer could think of taking in a family of ten, but if they would divide up we might get them in but I guess I had better mention the great house at Stowe.

Your Mother

I don't see as wee can do much for them wee have about enough to see to now dont know but wee might try it for $50.0 a week

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Providence 6th Mo 13th 64

My dear Cousin

In taking my pen to write Thee without having received any communication from Thee since my last, I presume no apology is necessary, but I may say that I write at the request of cousin Richard Sherman, uncle Asa's son perhaps Thou mayst recollect him, he is desirous to go to Vermont to spend the summer with his family, and as he had often heard us speak of Thy family he enquired of me if I thought there was any probability that you could take [them?] to board. The family consists of himself and wife five children his wife's sister, and two nurses - now if you

think you could accommodate them I presume he would take a trip up there to make the arrangements and if it is not so that you can dost Thou know of any family in your vicinity who would be likely to take them - cousin Richard would like to have an answer as soon as convenient - hopes to get it by the last of the week.

This Thou art aware is Yearly Meeting week - we do not attend this year, excepting Susan, she went down seventh day to stay until thrice day morning, so as to be at the Autumn meeting - Joseph could not go and I did not feel like going without him this year. There are a number of strangers in attendance, Elisabeth Comstock is among them - I hope she will come to Prov-

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idence. I have heard so much about her that I am anxious to see and hear her. We have had several letters from William since I wrote Thee, he writes in good spirits and appears to be comfortable but insinuates that Thou wardrobes are in want of replenishing - our family are in usual health - and all send love to Thee and Thy family. I have written in great hast - affectionately

Thy cousin

H. F .P.

P.S. Joseph says he will write Thee about the butter of which we shall want as much or more than heretofore

Brother Samson was in Vermont last week and passed through Montpelier in the night I believe - said if he had known he was so near Thy home he should have been tempted to stop and make Thee a call - cousin Susan Sherman told us that she made you a visit and I almost envied her the pleasure.

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I was glad to hear that Thou went to Brattleborough and enjoyed the exercises, and I dare say it was a source of satisfaction to Ann to have her Mother and sister present on the occasion. I am also glad that Ann has such a good situation - we have kept Susan at school with a view to her teaching, and she is doing a little in that line now, and will engage in it more extensively when any thing desirable presents - but she does not like to go from home. She and Josephine take lessons in French and German. I did not attend the exhibition at the Boarding School this fall - S and J went. There were five graduates all girls - Elisabeth Meader has been absent about two months

with her daughter near Dover. The latter is in very poor health. Sarah [Fobey?] was sick while Elisabeth was absent and one supper seat at meeting was generally unoccupied, and it was pleasant to see them both back in their seats this morning - Lillie's health is so much improved that she goes to school - Brother Jonathan and family are in usual health - Joseph says tell cousin Rachel if she has a cheese as good as the one she favored us with last winter, that will weigh about 20 or 25 lbs we should like to have her send it and include it in the bill of the butter - we should prefer it without sage as the girls like it best without - J. and

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I like the sage very much - I received a letter from Sister M. Wallace a few weeks since she was much as usual says her health is poor - but she wrote in better spirits than at some other times - wants to hear about her friends this way - and says that she would like to visit them once more if she had the means - and as we are none of us in a situation to furnish her with the needful, or to give her a home I suppose she will remain where she is - she says she has kind friends there - Joseph and the girls join me in much love to Thee and Thy sons and daughter -

I remain very affectionatly

Thy cousin H. F. P.