Letter from Rachel B. Stevens, dated 1861-11-10

ReadAboutContentsHelp

Pages

p.
Needs Review

p.

Walter Weare sent thee a paper lately - he also wrote to James wishing him to send him two bushels of butternuts & 4 qts. of beech nuts - he says he is low with consumpsion & has not had his cloths on since he got home -

Stillman Kelton has been very sick but is now about again -

We have sent the butter to J. C. Peckham they have not had any news from their son in Alabama in four months - he used to complain if they did not write once a week - it is indeed a hard case -

Tell Henry I rejoice with him in his prosperity - I hope he may be blessed with health & by performing his duties acceptably he will continue to gain favor - give my respects to him - tell him I want he should write me another right honest letter about a certain son of mine - who I fear does not tell me the whole truth about himself - I was in hopes to get the Burlington Free Press while I was gone - but did not see it - Henry Ward Becher is to lecture there on the war tomorrow evening - the Cavalry are still there - the measles is among them - one was thrown from his horse & broke his arm - there are many extremely awkward riders - I heard - Adieu my dearsoon - write as often as thee can afford the time - thy Mother

[page break]

East Montpelier 10th of 11th mo. /61

My dear Wm

I can not tell thee how much I would give to step in & see thee at this moment - somehow the impression strengthens with me that thy health has not quite reached the point where it was, before thee was sick, do my dear boy let me know the exact truth, & also if thee is homesick - I fear thy duties are too arduous, & how can I help being filled with anxiety for thy safety & comfort

I returned yesterday from Ferrisburgh after being abscent nearly two weeks - had a pleasant time - George Hasard took me to cousin Nicholas Holmes's, had a good visit with him - & them - Gertrude is a pretty little girl - they seemed all of them, wherever I was, to feel much interest about thee -

[in left margin:]

How do thy socks hold out - thee has not yet told us if we can send thee any thing - Laura says Josiah was highly pleased with a box of things they sent him his health is poor We have heard that A. G. B. has resigned & come home - is it so? & also that the Academy closed winter

Last edit over 1 year ago by catslover
p.
Needs Review

p.

George Hasards health has been poor all summer - his mother & Robert & wife with one of Elisabeth's children went to the Drs last week - found them quite smart - his mother & the little girl staid & the Dr. said he would carry them down when they wished to go - Rowland E. is at home - I guess he works a little & hunts more - said he had quite a mind to go to the war a while ago - but had got entirely over it -

Dr. Cram died very suddenly, so did cousin Lucia Hasard - John Wheeler died while I was there -

Nancy Wing was buried last 4th day the funeral was very large - George Davis, George Dagget, Thomas & Henry Town were bearers - -

I suppose thee has noticed in the daily the strange account of uncle Garner - it appears that his secret had been a great burden to him - & I regret that the poor man could not have divulged it sooner -

[page break]

We had a female minister from near New York at our quarterly meeting. I think she is a very gifted woman - we expect her here tomorrow - I do not feel as if her views in relation to going to war, are quite severe enough - she feels great sympathy and charity for such as think it their duty to go & says if she had a son going with such feelings she should tell him as Gen. Green's mother did "never to let her hear of his being shot in the back" - but I can truely say, I would rather my son should run, than to shoot a man-

As thee gets the Legislatuve news more minutely than we do I need say nothing of that. I went up yesterday and took another look at Ethan - & "Still my wonder grew" -

Now for a little gossip - I hear that Betty wears a likeness in her bosom pin - That Austin Templeton & Mary Foster are to be married - That John Hathaway & Ellen Libbey are ditto - That Captain Foster told Levi, when he was writing home, that Wm. Stevens had got back into camp again

Last edit over 1 year ago by catslover
Displaying all 2 pages