Colonial North America: Schlesinger Library

Receipt for [Collow?] [Eals?],_

To [make?] [mitheg?] [lin?] -- To a Gall of Water, four pounds of strained honey, boil it and scum it -- till no scum arises --- put it in a new Keg. what ever boils away -- add hot water to make the same quantity -- fill the Barrel and cork it tight while it is hot. Put it in the Cellar, let it stand six months before it is opened. ----

Currant Wine 4 1/2 Galls of Juice to 42 lb of Sugar, to a half a Barrel, of ^add Water sufficient to fill it let it stand open several days until there is a white scum Cork it tight. let it stand six months before it is [sweet?].

To a Barrel of Beef 2oz of Salt petre rubbed on the Beef when put down Sugar or Molasses a {quart} if you please, as strong a brine as can be made of Salt, pour'd on when cold.

hams To one ham 1oz Salt petre 1lb of Salt [1?] pint of molasses rub'd on and turn'd every day for 6 weeks.

Tea cakes to bake 3 tea cups of sugar 1/2 tea cup of Butter 3 Eggs 1 tea cup of Cream 1/2 tea spoon full of [poml?] [ash?] [seids?] as much flour as will mix --- get some [seids?] at [Albany?] a [betty?] of oil

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To Make Yeast Take 3 quarts of Malt. handful of hops, put to a pail of water, boil it half away 3 spoons full of [emp?] [tiones?], molasses and a little flour let it stand over night. bottle it and it will keep six months

Quince Cordial Grate the best and fairest Quinces Squeeze the Juice through a coarse linen cloth, to a pint, add 1 Quart of good french brandy, to 9 quarts [thus?] compounded, allow two pounds of Lump or clean brown Sugar: 2 oz Coriander seed. 30 or 40 cloves. half a pound of peach meats. bruise the peach meats and coriander put all together into stone pots or jars let it steep 12 or 14 Days in a warm place, say the oven, strain it through flannel

[?] My Father writes "Lucy was when she arrived somewhat fatigued, but appears to be [reencited?] this {morning} - The babes rested well - Sarah has a bad Cough - {Elisabeth} is is much better" In great hase sincerely yours J Tappan

Friday 2 PM

N. No 21. Dated Aug. 21. 1805 Rec'd --- 23. ----

{Reverend} John Pierce Brookline

Sarah is the handsomest. This will please Polly. Tuesday, we arrived here about half past one, found all our friends well. Our good parents were overjoyed to see us. they both exclaimed at the same time, "this is good indeed;" we found them at dinner. Before night sisters Goddard, and Edwards, came. They very readily consented their children should have the hooping cough, rather than deprive them the pleasure of coming here. when brother S came in the evening he seemed to think it a more serious matter than Sally did, for him, and all his children to have it, but she told him, she did not chuse to wait till she had six or seven to have it at once. I attended to Sarahs head directly after we got here, it looked worse than when we left home, owing to not being dressed but once on the road. I was very much pleased with the attention I received from Mrs Johnson. she came on to visit a friend in Worcester. She urged my letting her stay at the tavern, to assist me about Sarahs head. I refused, and she left us. In about ten minutes she returned with her friend, and came to the chamber where I had retired with Sarah. they both urged my returning with them, it was not in my power, as the stage only stoped half an hour, to dine; they then insisted on staying and affording me every help in their power. After I had done Sarahs head Mrs Remington took her across the street to her house, in a short time she returned with a basket filled with sugar plumbs, cake, and apples. Such attention, was extremely grateful. all I had time to take, was a tumbler of milkpunch that Mrs Johnson got me, of Mrs More.

Wednesday, Sarahs head looked much better than the day before, our good parents wish very much that Dr. Segar should see it. I have persuaded them to wait till she has taken all the powders Dr. Aspinwall gave me, and then if she is no better, I shall chuse he would see it. Elisabeth was quite unwell, and wanted to be in the arms all the time. I took Sarah and went over to Sister Stoddards and spent the forenoon, she gave me some sena and manna to give to Elisabeth in the morning. Mamma has fixed a little cot bed beside hers, for Sarah, she is much pleased with it. she coughs often, and is relieved by pukeing. Mamma gives her something to opperate as an [emetic?] every morning. Thursday Sally came and spent part [of the?] forenoon. {Reverend} Mr Williams called, and in the afternoon [?] lady and Julia. sister Edwards spent the evening. Elisabeth was a little better. Friday, Miss Strong eldest daughter of the Governor. called to see me. Polly Pomeroy called, I had gone to sister Edwards to spend the day and did not see either of them. Charles just brought me your letter, I can assure you it met a cordial reception. I shall impatiently wait the arrival of every Saturdays Mail. I was call'd down to see Miss [Henshaw?], she brought her Mother's compliments. Do give my love to Miss Walley. I intend writing to her soon. I hope you and Eliza, have a pleasant commenc-ment. give my love to her, and Polly, tell her, Sarah speaks of her very often. Adieu my dear friend. Yours L. Pierce

Monday morning, Sarahs head is very much better, but her cough is still very troublesome. Elisabeth is very well. Love to all friends LP.

affectionate manner. How much you must miss us all. I know from my own feelings, such a separation must be painful to you. I wish I could hear from you every day but perhaps I should be quite homesick if I did. Tuesday evening ten o’clock. I have just come from sister Edwards, Nancy came down before dark, and I returned with her. As we were passing Mr. [Menshaws?], Martha and Miss [Match?] came out and spoke to us. the latter apologized for not calling to see me, and said she had not had, the hooping cough, and did not like to expose herself to take it. Mrs. John Brock called in the forenoon to see me. and good Mr Williams. Elisabeth is perfectly well to day, and Sarahs head is a little better, her cough is very troublesome Mamma is up with her several times every night. you may be sure she has every attention. I rejoice she is in such good hands, you cannot think, My dear friend, how much pleasure it affords me, when I retire to my chamber for the night, to give you a short account of the manner, in which I have spent the day. It seems to bring you nearer to me, I often lose myself, in thinking of home, and all its endearments. Wednesday 28, brother and sister Stoddard took tea with us. It has been a dull rainy day, I have thought much of you. I shall be impatient till I hear what kind of a commencement you had. Thursday. I thank you sincerely, my dear friend, for your No.24, which was handed me this evening. It was indeed, a rich repast. I rejoice to hear you are well, and enjoying such good society. I pray heaven, such blessings may be continued to you, for a long -- long time to come. Our dear Sarah is as well. I think, as could be expected. her head is still getting better. tho' slowly.

Elisabeth and myself are perfectly well. Mr Parsons of Amherst preached this afternoon, before the missionary society. I depended on going to hear him, but it has rained violently all day, and Mamma thought it would be presumption for me to go in the wet. Friday evening . It has been an uncommon fine day, in the morning I rode as far as Hatfield, with Charles, we took Sarah. I could not but wish, you were enjoying the perfume from the pine woods, with us. I spent the afternoon, and evening, at brother Edwards , in a large party of young ladies, and gentlemen such as Miss Strong, Miss [Match?], Miss [Menshaw?], [H?]. I was gratifyed by seeing Mr. Bates, of whom we have heard so much, he has a most intelligent countenance, yet I [do not?] [?] him handsome. I constantly regret you cannot [?] with me. I can barely realize we have not been [separated?] a fortnight. I should judge it was a month, at least. Saturday. I spent a social afternoon with Sally. Sunday. Mr. Williams has preached all day. I like him better than ever. Sarahs head is still getting better, but I think her cough rather increases. I have thought much of poor Joshua, since I left home. I fear I did not do so much for him as I ought. do see that he is cloathed warm, and that Polly pays proper attention to his food, I feel anxious to again take the charge of my family, but it would be extremely difficult to journey with Sarah at present, on account of her cough I mean. I shall rejoice when I can say her head is well. I have much more to write but have filled my paper. From your affectionate L. Pierce. P. S. Do give my love to Mrs. Walley [?] will write to her the first opportunity. I wish you to write what John [?] coming, and what you think of my returning. Love to Eliza, and Polly.

No. 25. Northampton, Sept 12. th,. 1805.

My Dear Friend,

When I wrote last I was going to brother Edwards. I accordingly went before sunset. After I got there Rebecca proposed walking down beside the river, beyond the yard, a place I had never been. We went as far as the upper mills, and I had a most delightful walk. I could not but think, how much you would have enjoyed it with us. As we returned, we went to the tanyard and were weighed. My weight was only 98 lb. Nancy's was the same. sister E.'s 137 lb. It reminded me of the time you were there with us. Friday, Rebecca rode round the town with me, in the forenoon. after dinner Mamma went with Sally, they took Sarah with them, they returned and took tea with us. Sarah was very willing to leave me, and return with Mamma at night, she has become extremely fond of her, & Papa. They wish very much I should leave her, but I do not feel willing. Sarah is a dear child and I should be sorry to lose her affection by absence. Miss Strong, and Miss - Chandler called to see me. Saturday in the forenoon, Nancy went with me to Judge [Henshaws?], after a short call, Martha walked with us, as far as Mrs. Hunts. Miss [Hatch?] boards with her. At one oclock Charles brought me your No.25. I greatly rejoice to hear you all continue well. and that you had so pleasant a commencement. I presume, Eliza was highly gratified.

No. 24. Tuesday afternoon Sep. 14. th 1805.

Dear Husband, I wrote a few lines yesterday - morning, in great haste, hust to let you know how we all did. I had intended being more particualar, but my father sent from the store, for my letter before it was begun, and I was obliged to be as concise as possible. Friday morning, after I sent my No. 25. Sarah was taken sick. she continues growing more so, till Sunday morning, when Mamma thought best, to have the advice of Dr. Hunt, she had a very high fever all Saturday night, and when he came she had been a sleep a few minutes, and was in a great [perfopiratiom?] she set by hex. till she awoke. when we found her fever reduced. very much, he ordered several ingestions and left some powerful medicine, tobe given in the evening it operates favorably, and she had a good night. this morning she took an emetick and is now about house, tho' very feeble. I felt very much alarmed about her, as several children have died in town, of the dysentary. Elisabeth has not been perfectly well since I came from home, or at least, since the night we spent in Brookfield.. Mamma thought I had better wean her. she was very little trouble, and for several days appeared better. but since then, she has had a slight fever every day. and is unwilling to be out of the arms a moment, except when asleep.

she has lost all her sprightliness, you would hardlt know her. you wonder I have not said more of the children, but I scarcely know what to write. till within a week, Sarahs cough has been very troublesome, it is now much better. Our good Mother has devoted herself to the children, she holds Elisabeth from morning, till night. she imputes her sickness to teething. I am of her opinion, as her gums are very much swoln. I pray it may be nothing else. Friday I was prevented going to Mr. Brecks, by Sarahs being indisposed. I was up most of the night with her. Saturday, and Sabbath day, at home with the children. The evening of the [Cattir?], our brothers, and sisters, here. Monday. Mrs D. Butler sent for me to visit her. Did not go, for Mamma had as much she could do, to take care of Elisabeth, she has held her so much, that she is unwilling to be with any one besides. The girls came again this evening. they are extrimely kind in doing all in their power, for me and the dear children. Saturday when I read your letter, I told Sarah you were a going to fetch her a present, and then she was unable to get up, she repeated a number of times. Papa will fetch something to please Sarah. She has been perfectly happy here. yet she speaks of you, almost every hour in the day. She dont forget to mention aunt Walley, often.

I consider a Providential circumstance. that our good Mother has the care of the children, now they are sick. I am sure I should not know what to do for them. I had just begun to write, when Nancy. E. came in. and a few minutes after Sally. they staid so long. I was obliged to defer writing until evening. it was late before the children went to sleep, and it is now past ten oclock. I have written as fast as possible, for I have to be up considerable, in the course of the night with Sarah, and Sarah you should hear, if she has a relapse, again this week. Our friends all think best, we should leave Sarah, as she will not be in a situation to return, until her cough is gone. Mamma says she will brign her down in the spring, Providence permitting. I hardly know what to think. If we should return with brother John, had you not better come up in the stage, and make a visit before he comes. If you should not think best to return with him, you will let me know your plan soon. Do give my love to Mrs. Halley. I long to hear from her. eill Eliza it is not in my power to answer her letter at present. I make my own [puns?], with a dull knife. and they are miserable. Adieu my dear friend, and Believe me affectionately Yours, L. Pierce.

Northampton, November. 4. th 1805.

Mr Dear Friend, I greatly rejoiced to hear the children were so good, and that you all arrived safely. I thought of you day, amd night. I long to be with yoy, but it is now uncertain when, or how I shall get home. You would be surprised to know, how fasr I have recovered, I have rode every fair day, and been five miles without stoping, and very little fatigued. Papa returned last evening, we were all very glad to see him. I had anticipated a long letter from you, think what was my disappointment: I could hardly believe he had come wihtout one. I shall be impatient till I see Brookline again. It is indeed a severe trial to be separated from you, and the dear children, do write every thing they do, and say, it will all be interesting, kiss them a thousand times for me. Tell Sarah, Mamma is getting well, and hopes soon to come and see her. I am obliged to be very concise, as my eyes are yet extremely weak, I have written this, almsot without looking on. Give my love to Mrs. [Halley?]. Do tell Polly I want she should clean the point in the small parlour, and all the windows, as soon as possible. Sister Stoddards children are well. Pure good parents desire to be remembered to you, and the dear children. From your affectionate wife L Pierce.