Gold Rush Era Letters

Reading what you wrote about "the death of E. P. Hutchinson" and his wife who she was &c [etc.] brings to mind what Mr Wm Shipley [William Shipley] told me a few days ago that be recieved [received] a letter from her from the Sandwich Islands now after the death of her husband ---

He says she is an excellent writer in every respect and he should judge her to be a very fine woman

She wrote him that she should return to Boston in the same ship in which they come out in "The Waverly" I understand that Saml. Hutchinson [Samuel Hutchinson] is very feeble and that in all probability he can never regain perfect health. It is singular how all of that family seem to die very young -- Do you not think so? Thus far I believe they have all died with consumption a disease which seems to run in the family and sooner or later proves fatal --

Wm T. Fisk [William T. Fisk] is here in San Francisco and keeps his drinking saloon, the same as last year. I have not seen him for several weeks, but expect he is doing very well. From what you write, every few weeks I think the girls in P. are in an awful stew to get married when they marry anything. I should have hardly thought Fannie Parker would have married an old widower, but perhaps after all, he is good enough for her ---

Give my love to Charles & Harriet -- also to those of my friends, that you choose to.

From your affct [Affectionate] Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

Mrs Ann Parker East Pepperill Mass