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Morrisville Oct.13. 61
Dear Mother Nearly one week has past since I left you at home and find me in my room trying to write to thee. After I lef home I went to uncles [G?] and stoped a fewminutes and from there to [Fosters] and found [Terrod?Jerrod?] wateing for me had a fine ride and got here about noon. [and?] since then I have had to study pretty hard. Went lastnight to a prayr meeting and ben to meting today. Am feeling very well considering that it rains most all of the time
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Have you heard from William if so suppose that thee will tell all about him when thee write. I can't think of much more to write so will bid thee farewell.
James
P S P Gleed and [Myls Tul?] was marriade day before yesterday and are agoing to live with Mrs Gleeds
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Ferrisburgh 10th Mo. 13th 1861.
My endeared cousin, [Rachel Bryd]
Thy [underline]more[/underline] than welcome, and deeply interesting letter, was duly received, and could I have acted in accordance with the promptings of my heart, it would have been replied to immediately - but circumstances often oblige me to defer the desired accomplishment of a good intention, and day after day I [underline]hope[/underline] to do better the next, but the leisure seldom comes to me now. - for my cares are numerous, and body and mind often very unfit for the increased burden upon each; - do not accept this, dear cousin, as a complaint, but as an apology for any [underline]seeming[/underline] remissness toward those I love - in anwering their really valued letters.
I had been hoping for a token of thy remembrance, and felt anxious to know how you were all faring, - but chief anxiety had been on dear Mary's account, as I know she was more unwell than usual, - when thy letter came I found there was other cause for anxious feelings, and heart-felt sisterly sympathy with thee my beloved cousin, - for I am sensible how great this trial of separation from a dear son - from [underline]such[/underline] a cause must be to [underline]thee[/underline], - how thy Mother's heart will go with him waking and sleeping, and every [?] of maternal tenderness and solicitude be upon the strain during his absence; - it will be a sad "waiting and watching", - but Oh, May thy Heavenly Father sustain thy spirit through the bitter ordeal, and watch over and guide the beloved absent one, and bring him back in safety to you.
[underline]We[/underline] have not[underline]yet[/underline] experienced this great trial, tho' the prospect of it is often before us, - for our Rowland has felt for many weeks that he ought to go with some regiment from this State, - that it was a duty, - but has deferred on account of [underline]our[/underline] feelings; - we now feel that it is not our place to insist upon his remaining with us - much as we desire it, and have told him so, - whether he will decide to stay or go, is now uncertain.
