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(seq. 27)
New Rochelle [November?] 14 1839 First day morning.
Esteemed A.
Thy letter of of the sixth [?] was recieved on the tenth and most acceptably too, though not from the paternal roof yet from one who condesends to relate the particulars concerning that dearly loved spot called home. As to formalities I do not accuse myself of having participated in them, no, not in the least, therefore the caution was not demanded. Thou spoke of my home sick feelings, I acknowledge I have thought much of home and friends, but yet I do do not attribute these feelings to that distressing cause. Indeed to feel that we have a friend to whom we can frequenty write and freely express our feelings, is an unspeakable relief to the spirits and a blessing for which we cannot feell too grateful. But I cannot agree with the sentiments that communications from friends increase this malady (as thou art pleased to call it) at least with me, for to the contrary a letter, when my mind is depressed, seems to soothe those bitter feelings. I am happy to hear that H is pleased with her school and hope she will endeavor to do justice by her pupils, which of late, I am not [more?] persuaded than before cannot be done without the aid of a higher power and better judge than enervate [praise?].
(seq. 28)
[Right side of document, marked with number 2 ]
This has been a cool and rainy day. I feel quite motherly now a days, having the care of a family of 5 children myself and one domestic [?], Every thing so far has been agreeably to my wishes But it is no very small task I assure thee to take the responsibilty that now devolves on me.
Did not rise early enough this morning to finish and send this important letter, therefore was obliged to leave it until to morrow morning. This has been another rainy day. Can it be possible that this is the 15th of the month, dear me Fall will be here before I shall be aware and I shall with a joyful heart be sailing up the Hudson with the pleasing prospect of once more visiting my home if nothing occurs to blast this blooming hope. Where are our folks have they entirely forgotten to write Please tell Father a line from him and Mother would be most joyously accepted; notwithstanding he is no longer Post Master I hope he will not entirely forget to write. I called at at F. Brown the Post masters last night. he asked me who this post-master was that wrote to me. I answered him as well as I could and he said it was a very convinient way. I said yes. Just ask Dr. Corliss if he wants some abolition scholars, tell him they are handsome and sick and every thing that is amiable and good but the stick is they are black. G.P. spoke in her last [?] G [Portens?] visiting New Rochelle this month he will have to come ere long if he does
Susan B.
[Left side of document, beginning from reverse side, marked with number 3]
P.M. Theodore has really met with quite an accident. I should think his pride (if he has any) would be mortally wounded I feel quite anxious to know the decision of the Police. I am now fully convinced of the debased state of Theodores mind and hope this misfortune may prove a sufficient warning for his reformation. I have long thought the antipathy of that family towards ours would in some manner be exposed before the public.
We had quite a noise in New Rochelle last fifth day, for nothing more nor less than that [Malte?] had been visiting a friend of his near this village, and was going to pass though it that morning. A band of music was sent for from the City, and most splendid the music was too. Malte, called at a friendlie house, where a large number called to look at him, as if he were a poppet show. Really a person would have thought some angelic being from the heavens above had descended, for human beings to look upon, to have heard and seen commotion the whole village was in, here was a mother after her children to go and see the great man and there was a school teacher running with one child before and half a dozen behind her, but where was I, why I, by mustering a little self government conluded it would be as well for me and my family to remain at home and suffer the President to pass along in peace without beholding his noble face. He was to dine at Washington Irvings near Tarry Town and then to proceed to his native home. Malte drinks wine therefore I do not like him as that past
[Writing in the center of the document, perpendicular to the left and right sides, marked with a number 4]
I have just recieved a letter from [?] [A?] [J?] Dickenson, and such a dressing as he has given me for talking to about wine and cider as can't be beat by any body, the quantity of blackgaurd can't be measured but hardly, but I guess it is tit for tat with [us?]. He says he was at grandfathers about three weeks ago, grandmother about as she had been. I do sincerley hope our folks will not by and by begin to think wine is harmless and therefore they can offerit to travellers but what have I written that or are they not strong as some in the [faith?] than myself. I wonder if the Battenville and Comstall folks are as puzzled as to [?] out my letters as Uncle A. J. says he was but it is sometimeshard work to read the truth.
(seq. 30)
New Rochelle Jun 21.1337 First daymorning
Esteemed Although I have received no letter from you this or rather last week, I last night apenede most a precious packages of letter, billets, raisins, cegar [?] malotres etc. from the old masions, ^al C. Fralls. [?] P cried & laughed, felt glad & sorry all together. P also secured a paper from P., last Second day morning, when P put the last letter in the office. [P?] seems as if P can hardly be sufficiently [Hurrkful?], for the ma^n y messages of live, I have, since my stay in Rochelle, received from my most dear friends in C. F. & B. With respect to the Theodore scrape. I do not exactly understand Father, about the firing husing; who received the sum of the fine on behalf of community? & who is to receive that ^for which, he , Theodore is [?] now before the supreme court, if I should be decided against him ? Do let me know ^the particulars relative to the [decisiory?] as [loan?] as convenienly - I very much upset I could not have seene Uncle B. Reade [?] would have seemed like once m[?] beholding the [sainter?] form of that dear Grand [?]ther, who left the shade of earth & winged his way to those brighter sealing where [happened?] dwells without alloy when this heast was far away from the loved home circle so apart from all convexing, &are one lene Sisters, who helped to cheer ^those lonely ^house of separation but now I have no loved sister with ^to whom I can freely open all my heart & in whom to confide all my little grief, I can place a great deal of confidence of E. yea almost the same as if she were a sister, yet she is not one that makes the difference Tell D. R. by all means, to avoid smashing cigars, for I would not have smoke or how to [hacea?] for under an circumstances. I thank him for my presents.