ENPages
(seq. 51)
Centre Falls. August 11th 1839 First day P.M.
Dear Sister,
I was at Battenville yesterday P.M. when I received your letter mailed the 5th. Aaron brought Nancy down Friday P.M. She staid all night. The next A.M. I came for her, and I went also. Returned that evening with J. M. Burdick. I saw Maria B. in the store. She appears about the same as ever. Has been home one week. They have six more to stay.
Susan I have a little something now to say which you must not expose. Well to begin, Nancy's Mr. Eldridge, from Castleton, has made her a visit which was about a week ago. When she was here she told me about her calculations, wishes. [L. D.] She said her anticipations were to be married next month, and if such were my intentions. She made the proposition that it might be at the same time. On my part I had no objection. However we have not determined yet. Supposing any such thing should happen it would probably be about the middle of Sept. and you would likely feel anxious to be at home, but if E wants your assistance until vacation you had better not think of coming home until that time. So says our folks. Again, if what I have said should prove so to be, you will without a doubt, if nothing happens to prevent, see us at New Rochelle, in many weeks.
Mother & Father went as far as Greenfield with Uncle B. Read. They called at the Springs merely had a glimpse at Matty Nan. Mother has had the asthma quite bad about a week but is now some better. I expect to get E. Norton next week to make my dress and what other sewing I wish done.
(seq. 52)
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I want to write crosswise on this part of this letter so if your post master peeks into it he will not be so likely to percieve that there are two different hands writing wont that be a good plan. although its none of business if there is. Aaron
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There are expectations that H [R?] Mc Lean and [Sophy?] will be married about the next week after the Fair which will be on the 11th of September and all of us would much rather he or they would "jump the broom stick" first. It would be very few that we should invite. Hannah may accompany us and may not she would without doubt like to. but as we have not yet determined upon any certain time I will not at present say any more. I will leave it for A. to say and do as he wishes and thinks proper.
Monday noon I am going to send this by peter. but will say a word more. Rains this AM. Mother has just returned in she flourishes she and [Merrill?] has been to take H to the school. I am washing all alone. and you see my hand trembles very much. Father says the saw mill goes every day. Mother says be a good girl and eneavored to be contented. I will tell you more the next time I write all others send our love to you. we have at present a young coloured girl. your affectionate sister GPA
Susan what is written afore I don't intend endorse although I write and subscribe my name below only that part which relates to your remaining until vacation. This matter has Gula and Nancy [?][?] up is kind of silly stuff you know, and may be they will coax me into it. There is one thing certain if they succeed in getting me to New York I shall come to New Rochelle. They must fix the [preliminaries?] to this themselves. its nothing to me. In reference to your silk worm project I can of course give no opinion. And I see you folks have grew none. It seems to me that the business of raising silk worms like most other speculations will be very likely to be over done. I percieve in the news papers that the matter is spoken lightly of and even in some instances ridiculed. You being there among them can have a
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better opportunity of forming an opinion. I would ask for what are the eggs sold. If to raise worms from and then these worms put to providing eggs again, it looks as if the [marlus?] would soon become overstocked and that there would be no demand, more worms and eggs than silk [Houses?] I of course can give no opinionon the feasibility of the speculation. Now in reference to this New York project that the "Gals" are talking about it don't Exactly suit me. To many going along. Nancy and her feller, Lewis and Caty, etcetera, etcetera However I have not a word to say. Beleive on the whole, I shall ['gig'?] and not stand any of this sort of thing. Monday Evening 8 o clock, I have just heard a long political harangue from Stephen Cook about 3/4 drunk, the fact is Cook is a first rate Republican and know a coinsiderable about political affairs. He hasjust gone to [?] after another hour. I have nothing more to add. You will doubtless have more of this anon. thine [truly?] Aaron McLean
(seq. 54)
New Rochelle 8 mo 18, 1839
Dear A. Your salutary though brief communication of the 13. was received sixth day the 16th while I was at the breakfast table. I immediately asked to be excused, and took my seat in the southeast corner of my parlour where I eagerly perused the content, and found them, though broken yet tinctured with a kind of happy feeling which I suppose impossible for me to fully realize, with my present feelings. Though the letter afforded me pleasure, in the prospect of seeing some of my very dear friends, and still dearer sister, and - yet the thought that I must seek them but to part with them again is painful. I beg of you in all your proceedings to move as becoming to Christian beings, not merely making an outside show, but securing that which will in future time make you feel comfortable and satisfied, when taking a retrospective way of the day which is now anticipated, and which will seal your happiness or misery (for the time that you both live), in the enjoyment of each other's society. Oh! how pleasant to me to be at home to assist sister G. P. but still reason says deny thyself, this inestimable pleasure, for it is good for thee to learn to practice self denial in all things. My feelings are inexpressible therefore I will not try to say anymore in reference to them. Then manner mentioned does not exactly suit me yet you must act as your conscience and wisdom directs. In your next I wish you to inform me whether you intend visiting Phebe, if you do and as there will be so many I think
(seq. 55)
she ought to be informed. Emmie says they have a large house and are always ready for company so that is clever. If G. P. thinks best to inform her and has not time to write I will write for her. Please to let me know the day you intend leaving home how long you intend stay in New York and what day you will probably arrive at Rochelle. You will have the pleasantest time to come in the steam boat, the only trouble is getting from the landing here, however there are carriages from this place that go there for the purpose of accomodating peeople although some of them are not so very nice. The boat leaves the foot of Fulton between one and three and lands here at about half past five. The stage leaves 21. Bowery at half past two and will, if you tell the driver you wish to go Miss Kenyon's Boarding School in Rochelle, leave you at the door where I shall probably have the unspeakable pleasure of meeting you. It commenced raining last 6th day morning and has rained almost all the time since and most of the time been quite cold rather warmer today which is second day. I expect for the occasion you will receive nothing, but boarding school fare however that is good enought for any lady. The eggs of the silk worm hatch and produce worms which grow from four to six weeks when they wind themselves up with silk. They remain in cocoons a little more than a week when they will come out in the form of millers and by their eggs and die, unless they are put in warm water and the worm killed before its form is changed and it begins to eat the cocoon now we can have a red and prepare the silk or sell it in the cocoons, which will be the least trouble and expense. Second day night school is out and I must send this by one of the scholars. The sun shines qiote pleasantly. E's mulberries are considerably injured by the wind and rain. Do not getout of patience trying to send my most wretched servants for all I have written has been done ina great, some more New Yorker's here this afternoon our company is all city quality - I suppose your next sheet will be filled with this most important business do not be afraid of writing across and all ways for I have all the patience of Job in studying it out. Love in abundance to you all. From your Susan