Josephine J. Crawford

a large house to take care of and milk & butter to attend to, besides much fruit of all kinds, of which she puts up a large quantity and fills orders for Eastern firms, so she has no time to spend in writing to her friends when not at work is too tired to write. She wished me to write you for her, as I have more time, although I too, have a busy life & do not write as often as I would like to – for I am conscious that it will not be long before we shall not have this privilege and pleasure and I wish to improve it.

Our brothers are well – Brayton had lately lost a grand-child Lain's little Grace Pond – She was a delicate child, went into spasms and died. In writing of Sister Allie I forgot to mention her little tots – Both of her sons are married and live in little Cottages near-by the old folks and work the farm – The one married first has Leslie & Grace, the last has a little boy they call Gulian Brayton – after both of their Uncles - Allie's daughter Annis is here in San Jose with Miss Dr. Goss, assisting in Office work, which she enjoys – and they

hire s stronger girl to take her place at home Sister has two girls during the time of the crowd – She thinks little Leslie (the first one, just the the smartest and best child that ever lived and he thinks his Grandma very nice She is his special favorite –

I have just rec'd [received] a letter from Cousin Abbie Pond of Ann Arbor, Mich, daughter of Nathan Pond – She writes that one brother and herself are all, that are left of their family – She has remained single and taught there thirty-three years, and is still teaching – She enjoys her work and hopes to be take to her Heavenly Home when she gets so she can do it no longer –

Old Uncle Durlin Brayton is very smart and active – he preached two sermons every Sunday and works every week day on translation of the New Testament into their language – This is the second edition he is now working on. His daughter Mary assists him – Her husband Elder Rose is in poor health, has heart trouble that they think will prove fatal – Their children are all married and settled near Hartford, Ct. They have two sons & two daughters –

This country is looking beautiful – We went with our horse and buggy to Allie's and it was a most delightful trip – The hay was cut and being secured and the grain was standing so even and nice fence-top high – almost ready for harvest – hundreds of acres of vineyards and orchards, acres of onions, raised for seed, and wild and cultivated flower in endless profusion – and with all this plenty and beauty – we find the cry of hard times and of want – in this land of plenty – The rich own large tracts of land and use machinery to do the work that men used to do – and so it requires few to do it, and many can't find work to do – some don't want to find any but want to live off from those who do – I don't know what will become of our country if some things and times do not change for the better –

We are sorry to hear that Cousin Oscar has not fully recovered for without health the struggle in this life is so much harder – I wish his wife or girls would write to me – Uncle will attend to the wood just as long as he can – We, Allie & I, often laugh over some of Uncle Asahel's tricks – he used to delight in teasing us, and it did not take much to do it either – We have all known much trial and sorrow since then –

The hardships and privations of pioneer life amid dangers of many kinds – with Indians and renegade white men who were just as bad – away from from friends, all new wild and unlike our old home – but we were spared and I hope will die a natural death – but there have been many times I did not expect it.

Let us hear from you when you have the time and can do so – Remember our love to all – With best wishes I am as ever Yours –

Aff-tnly [Affectionally] Josephine J. Crawford

San Jose, Santa Clara Co, Calif

196 Montgomery St.

Mar 12 – 1872

Very dear Aunt C –

I have not heard from you since I last wrote, but have been thinking of you, and the dear friends east until I think I must write 'Tis late bed time but only thoughts of you and "days long Syne" have driven sleep from my eyes so I will take a short time to let you know I think of, and long to see you – Have just rec'd [received] a photo of the old Elm tree, and the School house on Pond Hill, sent by Cousin Carrie Parker from Colo [Colorado], taken by her daughter, last season while on their visit there. I wish the old home had been included but I suppose it looks like a "relic of fallen greatness" tis so gone to rack

and ruin – Well! when you, and a few of those I used to know are gone, it will not grieve one that the dear old house (that in memory I often revisit) has become among "the things that were" – I dream of going there, to your home, Uncle Fuller's and other places – Some of them, must look desolate now, from what I hear of them –

Had an interruption How are you getting along this winter Have you much snow and cold bad weather? – How is Cousin Oscar and family? Has he recovered from that hurt? – Did you receive the letter with the poppy seed that I sent you? – How is Cousin Julia Ann and all that you know anything about of our dear old friends? How few remain! –

Have you had a pleasant winter, and all the Snow you wish? – We have had a fine one, with rain sufficient to please the farmers and give fair promise of a fruitful harvest – The frost has not injured the Calla lillies [lilies] and they are in full bloom