Travel Diaries and Journals

Saturday, December 20th. Clear. Busy at home all day. Mary Willet called in the afternoon. Mr Goodell a friend of father's, and who is to preach for him to-morrow came to pass the Sabbath with us. He lives in the western part of New York state.

Sunday, December 21st, Cold and cloudy. Attended our church all day, and Sunday School in the afternoon. Mr Goodell preached in the morning on, "I am the Lord, I change [?]. and in the afternoon from 1 John 2:3. Both sermons were very fine indeed, and attracted an unusually large audience. The Hudson girls walked home with us after the afternoon service and gave us the unexpected intelligence that Henry arrived from California this morning at 11 o'clock They have been expecting him all the week, but did not tell us that he was coming so soon. He was too tired to attend church. Joseph Wilde walked home with me and took the occasion to congratulate me on [?] return, but I not hearing the conversation of the others who were ahead, and as it was so unexpected I thought he was in jest, and answered him accordingly. I did not know till I reached home that it was indeed true. He came alone; his father expects to follow him in a month. He sent his respects to us and said that he would call soon. In the evening Natty and I attended Mr Beecher's church. Harriet and Mr Murphy also attended.

Monday.. Snowed all day. Helen Stearns called in the morning I was quite ill and lay down most of the afternoon. Nathaniel met George Hudson in the course of the day. who informed him that Henry was quite sick, and unable to leave the house. It is feared that he will have the [Chagres?] fever which he might have taken while crossing the [Isthmus?]. How unfortunate if it should so happen. A sad welcome indeed to one returning, bouyant with hope, after nearly three years absence, to his beloved home.

==Tuesday..]] The ground was covered with snow, and the sleigh bells jingled merrily by all day.. The sun shone warmly and brightly on the snow-clad earth. It was a lovely sight. I did not go out all day. We heard from the Hudson's that Henry was still worse. Mr Murphy spent the evening

Wednesday.. Cloudy. Morning in sewing with Nattie. Early in the afternoon Mother called on the Hudson family and found them nearly all sick. Poor Henry is confined to his bed in a raging fever. The Doctor says that "the old southern rascal has go hold of him". He feels the cold very much and says he could never live here again in this cold climate. He sent us word that if he was well he would come to see us but as he could not we must come and see him. - Went out of an errand and called on Mary Reeve. In the evening received a letter from [joseph? Gonsolves?] saying that [she?] would be happy to visit me but could not come this week. If she comes at all she