Josephine J. Crawford

26th before she died, they sent for the Doc, again & when he came she asked him if they had sent for him to [too] late for Simon to do any thing [anything] for her, he said he thought she could not get well. This was in the morning on Friday, and at evening about seven oclock [o'clock] she died, she seemed to suffer with more or less pain all day, and was cold and they could not get her warm all they could do, she was taken sick Monday morning and seemed to be doing getting along as well as could be expected, on Wednesday she felt so smart & got so tired laying in bed, she urged so hard to be dressed & sit up a while [awhile] by the fire, so they did finely [finally] consent to it & Julian carried her into the kith kitchen and she layed [laid] on the lounge a while [awhile] & sat by the fire a little while and she thought she felt better to be up, so the next morning she had Julie to help her dress herself and then took hold of him & walk out of her room, and sat up to the table and eat breakfast

[written sideways along left edge] confined at home than I ever have been before but I must not murmer or complain.

[written upside down in top margin] I found our folks all well also Mr. Keith family ing though they call him quite smart now, but I fear his race is nearly run, he has been

with the rest of the family – And after breakfast she said she felt so smart she wanted her knitting work to knit on to pass away the time, but they would not let her have it, but in the course of the day they got a paper from her folks from the office & she sat by the stove and read some some time in it. And appeared to feel quite smart and laugh & joked with cousin Caroline the Widow Pond, because she was doing her work and she was playing up lady, But after going to bed that night did not rest much was very restless & uneasy seem to be chilly and in pain. They were up the most of the night, with her trying to do something to relieve her from distress but all they could do done no good, after day light [daylight] Julian thought best to send after Mrs Keith to see what she thought about her, when she came she went to working over her and thought she would soon be better, but soon they became alarmed about her and sent for the Doc. Oh! if I could only of been here to of taken care of her perhaps she might of been liveing [living] now I fear she was very imprudent & venturesom [venturesome] to try to be so smart when she was so very weak.

I have felt very lonely indeed since my return home

[written sideways along left edge of page] Aunt please excuse this illy written letter my pen is poor & I do not feel at all like writeing [writing].

Mrs

Nov. 27 1884

San Jose, Santa Clara Co, Cala [California]

My Dear Uncle and Aunt,

This charming Thanksgiving evening I am longing so to see you once more, that I am going to write again, hoping to thereby hear from you. It has been a long time since I have had a letter from you, or heard, from any source. Oh, how my memory takes one back tonight to you. I see your faces as I last saw them, your dear forms as I last looked upon them. Dear Aunt Calista I often think how we children, (myself in particular), must have tried your patience when we lived in the same house and used to go through your room for water

[written in left margin] Dear Uncle Asahel the last of that large family – how I long to see him.

And when you had company, we were sure to have some expense to get into your part of the house to see them You had the patience of Job to bear with us, as you did. My Dear Aunt – before me is a ticket. a reward of merit you gave me when you taught our School when I was five years of age, also a letter Mother wrote to Aunt Lucinda fifty-one years ago tomorrow, in which she makes mention of the progress I had made in School that Summer, and stated I had pieced Seventy blocks &c &c [etc., etc.] I also have a little linen Stocking father wore when a baby. Dear Grand mother [Grandmother] Pond Spun the yarn or thread, and knit them

The little pebble you, or your brother gave me that was your Sister Nancy's, and the piece of Rutland marbles that Dramel gave me. Some of the yarn you let me spin when with you last. So you see I am often reminded of you The Ticket, I keep in a large Bible that

Aunt Sarah gave me when I was first married. I wish to here say, that I fully appreciate your kindness in days gone-by. I can never make any return in this world but I hope and pray that compensation may be yours sometime. I am now fifty-six was 56 the 3^d day of last Sept. I do not expect to ever meet you in this life, indeed I do not know that you are still living if you are, I do so hope you will write me once more. I received the paper containing the death of Henry Dewey. It was a sad fate I wish you would write me, who among our relatives Still live, and who have gone to the other Home. Since I wrote you last have had much Sickness and many trials to contend with, but am Spared and daily trying to live as useful a life as I can, under the circumstances.

Sister Allie has had very poor health for several years, but is now much improved though still very thin in flesh. She has a kind good husband and three lovely children. Two boys and a girl. Are all three nearly grown I am looking for her to come to spend a week or two with me. My husband is away at work in Santa Cruz Co [County] at present, and I am alone just now. Have had friends here from different parts of the State, the greater part of the time since last Spring.

Col J. E. Stevens who married father's cousin Emeline Ashley, daughter of Asahel, Pond Ashley came here sick, from Arzonia and after a long illness died. She and the children, except one in Arzonia and one in the Southern port of this State, were where they could come and be with him. Cousin Emeline is now with her only Single daughter Augusta who is Principal of a School in Los Angeles Co [County], Cala [California]