Letter from Rachel B. Stevens, dated 1862-02-28

East Montpelier 28th of 2nd month 1862

My dear Willie

Thy cheerful letter, enclosing ten dollars, arrived last evening. I presume that before this time thee has got mine acknowledging the receipt of the other which I there told thee came the day I sent the one which thee has just answered. I think we are much favoured in having our letters transmitted with so much regularity. Am sorry to hear that Henry is unwell, hope he is not homesick as I suppose he could not get away, any better than if he was an African slave - they seem to be riding off in great style in MO. (Missouri) I see by the papers. Our yesterday's Boston Journal says that there is talk of an immediate truce. I hope not with Slavery. If anyting has been achieved by this awful expenditure of blood and treasure, it will be more than lost, if that foul blot is not effaced - for this I pray.

Uncle Timothy was taken quite suddenly ill last first day - he is not confined to the bed - very feeble but does not suffer pain - his old lung difficulty seems to be the trouble - but I hope he will get up again - he is a very pleasant childlike old man and we should miss him very much. -Aunt P and G are neither of them very well this winter. I think she would be much pleased with a letter from thee and so would Uncle T. No one inquires after my scattered flock with more interest, than he does.

Eben Steven's wife has been very sick with the pleurisy for a week - she has seemed very much as they father did, only she has had much more pain - she has not been able to get any good sleep - but she is now thought to be a little better. Our little Jane has been there a few days - just as kind and good as she always is - but she thinks she must go home first day I suppose to prepare for the 4th of March ball at Hammett's. It is said that Austin Templeton and Mary are to go to the village on that day and be married and come back to the ball. John Hathaway & Julia Foster, Edwin Foster & Fanny Clark are to be of the company and I do not know who else.

Robinson Tabor is in Montpelier jail. Robinson Moulton sued him for some butter that he sent to him in Boston.

I do not think a great many regret R.T.'s being checked in his pompous career - I have not yet got to feeling much pity for him - his family and friends have had to suffer so much for his bad deeds.

Thomas's eyes are about as well as usual - he uses the team almost every day - has drawed a good deal of wood to the village and got a fine pile at the door. Jamie went back 4th day - he things the school at Morrisville will fail up if McIllip has the charge. Fanny's going back, keeps it along this spring. Thomas has hired Horace Steward for six months.

Orlana I expect is stopping at John Willard's nursing the little son - now about a week old.

Willard, the Editor of the Freeman, delivered the twelfth lecture last evening. They have been well sustained and have passed off very satisfactorily I should think. I have not heard any since I went to F. which I regret.

We are very much blocked up with snow and it still keeps coming and blowing.

My health has returned to about the usual standard. Charley's humor troubles him more than common this winter - he is about as tall as James but not near as wide and thick.

Melissa is back at Horaces Farewell mu dear boy - let us hear from thee often.

- Thy Mother

Thomas's eyes are about as well as usual he uses the team almost every day - has drawed a good deal of wood to the village & got a fine pile at the door - Jamie went back 4th day - he thinks the school at Morrisville will fail up if McIllup has the charge -- Fanny's going back, keeps it along this spring - Thomas has hired Horace Steward for six months.

Orlana I expect is stopping at John Willard's - nursing the little son - now about a week old -

Willard, the Editor of the Freeman delivered the twelfth lecture last evening - they have been well sustained and have passed off very satisfactorily I should think - I have not heard any since I went to [F.?] which I regret -

We are very much blocked up with snow & it still keeps coming & blowing.

My health has returned to about the usual standard - Charley's humor troubles him more than common this winter - he is about as tall as James but not near as [underline]wide[/underline] & [underline]thick[/underline]-

Melissa is back at Horaces - Farewell my dear boy - let us hear from thee often - Thy mother

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1862 East Montpelier 28th of 2nd mo.

My dear Willie

Thy cheerful letter, enclosing ten dollars, arrived last evening - I presume that before this time thee has got mine acknowledging the receipt of the other - which I there told thee came the day I sent the one which thee has just answered - I think we are much favoured in having our letters transmittted with so much regularity. Am sorry to hear that Henry is unwell, hope he is not homesick - as I suppose he could not get away, any better than if he was an African slave - [underline]they[/underline] seem to be riding off in great style in Mo. I see by the papers - our yesterday's Boston Journal says that there is talk of an immediate truce - I hope not with Slavery. If any thing has been achieved by this awful

expenditure of blood & treasure, it will be more than lost, if that foul blot is not effaced - for this I pray -

Uncle Timothy was taken quite suddently ill last first day - he is now confined to the bed - very feeble but does not suffer pain - his old lung difficulty seems to be the trouble - but I hope he will get up again - he is a very pleasant child like old man - & we should miss him very much - Aunt P. & G. are neither of them very well this winter. I think she would be much pleased with a letter from thee - & so would uncle T. no one enquires after my scattered flock, with more interest, than he does - Eben Stevens's wife has been very sick with the pleurisy for a week - she has seemed very much as thy father did, only she has had much more pain - she has not been able to get any good sleep - but she is now thought to be a little better - our little Jane

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has been there a few days - just as kind & good as she always is - but she thinks she must go home first day I suppose to prepare for the 4th of march ball at Hammetts' - it is said that Austin Templeton & Mary are to go to the village on that day & be married & come back to the ball - John Hathaway & Julia Foster - Edwin Foster & Fanny Clark are to stand up with them - Austin Foster & Abby Hamblin, Charles E.T. & Sarah Hamblin are to be of the co. & I do not know who else -

Robinson Tabor is in Montpelier jail - Robinson Moulton sued him for some butter that he sent to him in Boston -

I do not think a great many regret R. T.'s being checked in his pompous career - I have not yet got to feeling much pity for him - his family & friends have had to suffer so much for his bad deeds -