Letter from Rachel B. Stevens, dated 1862-01-05

East Montpelier 5th of 1st month 1862

My dear William,

Thy cheerful and very acceptable letter was duely received - also Henry's for which I am grateful. I am sorry thy box does not arrive - fear if it reaches thee in safety thy brown bread will be spoiled and frozen as well as the cheese - but we did as well as we could and so much leave it. I do not feel as anxious as I should if thee was suffering for the comforts of life. Aunt P and cousin Fanny say they should have been glad to put in something, if they had known we were sending. I fear thee is not yet as careful of thyself a thee ought to be. Why does thee not mention thy wrist?

Mason and Slidell I supposed are on their way again. I do not pretend to know much about public affairs, but there are many things that I can not understand. They are so mysterious - among other things is Freemont's case - and why this vast army of the Potomac are lying still this winter, when they can not go south in summer. It seems to me that the whole country must be ruined - sickness is cutting off many more than the sword - all is sad, sad.

Our lectures are coming off from week to week very finely. Dr. Richardson gave us a capital one last fifth day evening. It was really practical and excellent - the best there has been I think. The attendance, however, was not as large as usual, on account of the new years ball at Hammets the night before. Our remannt of the new years gathering met according to the rotation at J.G. P's. we had as pleasant a time as we could expect - Charles & Howard were all the young folks - both of them were rather sorry they left their school. I hardly think however that Charley will go much longer. He begins to think there is not much profit in it. I am very sorry, for his is not hand, thee knows, to study at home. He says he don't know but he had better help Thomas get up wood. T's eyes have been so weak he has not teamed a great deal as yet, but they are getting better we hope. I think thee may safely write to Jane. I believe she will get it. I miss her pleasant quiet little ways very much, but do not really need her work at present. Thee had better write to her not on the back of mine, as we each wish to kee our letters.

Uncle and Aunt C have been here a way - we get along nicely. I think he will buy another place - perhaps in the east village.

James came home 6th day night on a visit - the weather has been cold but pleasant. Three of them came down but the one that found horse got one about like old Betty Brown - which almost spoiled J's visit. They returned this P.M.

He informs that F. Gleed's widow has a young child - poor afflicted woman, how my heart has ached for her. Philip and wife live with her.

Edwina Morris, was married to a Calkins of Waterbury on new years day. James and a cousin of his, C's, stood up with them. James weighs 170.

He does not think McIllick is near equal to A.J.B. in the school. Andrew & Abby are in Barre. H. & Mary went to see them last week. Abby has been very sick again and is now very feeble. They have a very lovely little boy - Andrew takes a great deal of care of him. They did not learn anything of their future plans.

Mary & Howard came home with us after (Quater) meeting - Mary is pretty comfortable but far from well and strong - she uses the spring water this winter and does not

feel near as well without it. Ann wrote last first day - but I suppose she writes as often to thee. She is now in school again I suppose - hope she may get great good from this long devotion to books - but I sometimes fear she will not - any way she enjoys it as she goes along and is sure of so much good.

Give my respects to Henry. I will endeavor to answer his good letter before long. I do not know how far apart your residences are. I should like to.

I hope thee will find time to write us good long letters telling all particualrs about thyself and the war, as far as thee can. I can not see what possible good you are all doing there.

Fare well my dear boy. Mayst thou be preserved from evil and all harm is the prayer of thy loving Mother.

Rachel B. Stevens to Willie Stevens, January 5, 1862, Stevens Family Papers, Box 41, Folder 12, Rokeby Collection.

old Betty Brown - which almost spoiled J's visit - they returned this P.M. -

He informs that F. [Glied's?] widow has a young child - poor afflicted woman how my heart has ached for her - Philip & wife live with her - Edwina Morris, was married to a [Calkins?] of Waterbury on new years day - James, & a cousin of his, C's stood up with them - James weighs 170. He does not think [McIlluhs?] is near equal to A.J.B. in the school - Andrew & Abby are in Barre - H. & Mary went to see them last week; Abby has been very sick again & is now very feeble - they have a very lovely little boy - Andrew take a great deal of care of him - they did not learn any thing of their future plans -

Mary & Howard came home with us after meeting - Mary is pretty comfortable but far from well & strong - she uses the spring water this winter - & does not feel near as well without it - Ann wrote [Lars?] first day - but I supposes he writes as often to thee - she is now in school again I suppose - hope she may get great good from this long devotion to books - but I sometimes fear she will not - any way she [ingages?] it as she goes along - & is sure of so much good.

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East Montpelier 5th of 1st mo 1862

My dear Wm.

Thy cheerful & very acceptable letter was duely received - also Henry's, for which I am grateful - I am sorry thy box does not arrive - fear if it reaches thee in safety thy brown bread will be spoiled & frozen as well as the cheese - but we did as well as we could & so must leave it - I do not feel as anxious as I should if thee was suffering for the comforts of ife - Aunt P. & cousin Fanny say they should have been glad to put in something, if they had known we were sending - I fear thee is not yet as careful of thyself as thee ought to be - Why does thee not mention thy wrist -

Mason & Slidell I suppose are on their way again - I do not pretend to know much about public affairs, but

[in left margin:]

Give my respects to Henry - I will endeavour to answer his good letter before long - I do not know how far apart your residences are. I should like to - I hope thee will find time to write us good long letters telling all particulars about thyself and the war, as far as thee can - I can not see what possible good you are all doing there - Fare well my dear boy Mayst thou be preserved from evil & all harm is the prayer of thy loving Mother

there are many things that I can not understand - they are so mysterious - among other things is Freemont's case - & why this vast army of the Potomac are lying still this winter, when they can not go south in summer - it seems to me that the whole country must be ruined - - sickness is cutting off many more than the sword - all is [underline]sad sad[/underline]-

Our [lectures?] are coming off from week to week very finely, Dr. Richardson gave us a capital one last fifth day evening - it was really practical & excellent - the best there has been I think - - the attendance, however, was not as large as usual, on account of the new years ball at Hammets the night before - Our remnant of the new years gatheirng met according to rotation at J.G.P.'s we had as pleasant a time as we could expect - Charles & Howard were all the young folks - both of them were rather sorry they

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left their school - I hardly think however that Charley will go much longer - he begins to think there is not much profit in it - I am very sorry, for he is no hand, thee knows, to study of home - he says he don't know but he had better help Thomas get up wood. T's eyes have been so weak he has not [learned?] a great deal as yet - but they are getting better we hope - - I think thee may safely write to Jane - I believe she will get it - I miss her pleasant quiet little ways very much, but do not really need her work at present - thee had better write to her [underline]not[/underline] on the back of mine, as we each wish to keep our letters -

Uncle & aunt A have been home a week we get along nicely - I think he will buy another place - perhaps in the east village.

James came home 6th day night - on a visit - the weather has been cold but pleasant - three of them came down - but the one that found [horse?] got one about like

[(1-5-1862)]

My dear boy

William Dean had this letter in his pocket yesterday intending to put it in the office as he came to meeting, but lacked a stamp - which seemed fortunate as I took it from his hand - I trust thee will give it a candid prayerful