Letter from Sarah Hazard, dated 1861-12-15

sister Elizabet quite smart Ezra & his wife have commenced housekeeping the family talk now as if it had taken them a great while to get ready they are in the champlin house Rachel Barton has been very unwell but not confined to her bed Sylvia [Dean?] has been with her nearly two weeks. William told us today R. was better. [Hezekiah Varny?] was bried the day of our last monthly Meeting. Andrew Holmes & Ruth were here yester -day they still think likely they shall go to [Dutches?}County

I dont know as there is anything more for me to tell only that I would be glad to here from thee & all thy children if it is not asking to much for thee to write I feel very lonely some times I think the most so when I have the most company for my Dear one is ten missed the most I missed him most the day of uncles death but I trust he will return to me in the [night?right?] time

[Thy?] in much love I remain they cousin Sarah [A.?] Hazard

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North Ferrisburg 12th mo 15th of 1861

Dear cousin

R B Stevens

If I did not promise to write to thee I think a letter from any one in Ferrisburg will be gladly received by thee. Perhaps thou hast heard of the death of Uncle David which occured on the morning of the 17th of last month he had been failing for some time & the famaly thought he appeared less like rallying again but still Aunt thought she would not send for any one (as Rufus was not at home) she set by him all night he seemed very sweet and pleasant but could not talk much in the morning Caroline set by him while aunt ate breakfast she then went to him again & she soon thought she saw a change & before any one could get in the room he was gone he died without any strugle & was the fairest & plesantest corps I most ever saw of so old a person the

funeral at their dwelling house. Thomas Whaly preached very well. Aunt feels very lonely says other folks has children to live with them but she dont know what she will do another sumer things will remain as they are this winter. The next I think thee will want to here from is my dear R. I have no very late accounts his last date that I have received was the 27th of last month it takes a letter about a week after the date of it to reach me from that part of Canada. up to the time of his last writing they'd had 13 meetings since Pellham Qt - [deleted]about[/deleted] two meetings a day nearly all the time. Rufus says it is the greatest place to get up large meetings he ever saw. Friends & others make nothing of going 10 or 12 miles to an evening meeting. they met with many very near & dear friends some of whom had been with them so much it seemed hard to part with them but they expected to leave the next day

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for Pickering to be there to there Monthly M. last wek to the [Mon?] Meet. Young Street & this week to that Q Meeting after that they will probaby leave soon for Adrion. Rufus thinks he is in his right place. Johnathan has much service some deep proveing seasons but the Lord had helped him out of them all & he had been very much favoured.

Out own household are in usual health. Mary Newton & her Daughter are still with me. they expect to stay untill Rufus returnes. Esther is with us at presant she will stay a week. our dear little Sarah (we think) an uncomon bright child but she has not got over the hooping cough. she is not as well as before she was sick. she creeps & walks by things she will be 10 months old the 17th. Esther sends her love to thee Mary & the rest. Sylvia Hazard is very unwell at presant. she is under the Dr's care. I can hardly tell what ales her but she looks miserable