Letter from Ann S. Robinson, dated 1861-04-21

I visited at Susan's the other day, she is such a good woman. Uncle Pollas is quite sick has had the lung fever, [Gerad?] has returned. so as to stay there nights, She brought us up some hulled corn & we had Mr. & Mrs Blanchard in here and had quite a party. George Doty is going to the war. O dear, what sorrow! what sorrow! Susan wants one of thy pictures I do not know which one to leave her I like the Photographs very much. took the liberty to give one to Mrs. B. who was very much pleased with it. I am afraid Jay will not pay me the visit he expected to. I think he is a good boy and always shall, let [Leeve?] splutter all he is a mind to and he will make a smart man, and I think a good one. I expect to hear Isaac and Levi have gone to the South, do not have very much fears concerning my own situa- tions excepting Timothy, for I hope the Quaker principle is strong enough to restrain

[left margin] Rhoda Wing is Mrs Presiding Elder Wonder of all wonders

[right margin] thank thee very much for that Harpers very correct likeness in it

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Morrisville.. Ve. 4..21..1861..

My Dear Brother:-

Do not think because I have not written to thee, I have not valued thy letters, though anyone, who did no show how much I have to do might draw that inference, I have had a very hard cold the past week that I caught at the Falls a week ago, and have coughed so much my head aches very hard and I am sore and old all over. it makes a pretty large sore doe'nt it; Mary writes thee is some better, how glad I am to hear it. maybe the journey, if not the physician will do thee good. Thee must be very careful and still keep good courage, though Prof. Lee says thee will never lose that, which is a very desirable thing where there are so many discouraging things to be met, thorough all storms may the bird of Hope sing on sweetly as ever.

We have been to hear Grandpa Gleed preach to-day. he prayed long and earnestly for our Nation, and that civil war and bloodshed might be stayed, and peace be restored to the country. May the prayers of him and the thousands of others In the pulpit, by the home fireside and in the camps prevail before Him who is the God of battles. The war seems to be inevitable. There is scarcely anything else thought or talked about here, men gether in the streets and a crowd is over in the bar room, talking hotly concerning the state of affairs. Last evening there was a very spirited meeting at the Hall. where resolutions were passed giving their wealth, strength and life if need be to the course of freedom, Mr. Gleed was President. I will send an account when they are printed. Mr, Blanchard and Thomas Gleed have sworn to go to the battle, Blanchard says he will be ready the day after school closes, if more volunteers

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are called for. There will a company formed in a few days here. They do not willfully rush to battle and destruction but calmly and considerately give themselves for their country. Mrs. Whpple with red eyes says she will give her husband up for her country. I think she is a noble woman. That which we have so dreaded has come upon us. May God direct us all.

We cannot think of anything else. We hard last night from Philip he was going to enlist, the Northfield company passed through Richmond and three young men had already gone from that place. A young man from the Park. heard of the surrender of Fort Sumpter, dropped his work and the next day shouldered his knapsack and started for Charlestown. Forty of the students of Middlebury have enlisted. The Green Mountain State will not have with- holden her support in so necessitous a time. The Lord have mercy and turn the thunderbolt from this land.

I worry a good deal Moorisville, VA, Apr 4th about Timothy. I am going to write to him to-day if I feel able to, though by that another need not think I am very near any grave, though I feel some as though its rest would feel pretty good, and welcome. I have received a beautiful letter from Nancy, she talks of being heare at the close. Unless the excitement cools down some I am afraid there will not be much but a close, Mrs.Blanchard has copied that piece Horace likes so well, onto sheets and is going to have it sung they rehearsed it last night it is splendid,

"Calm all commotion that may arise, Increase devotion Strengthen our ties. [2 cross symbols] God save the Union, God save our Land,"

There is no news to write as I know of. There was some talk of a factory's being built in this place, using two hundred hands, but if the times are not more settled this will not be done.

Susie Bernette has been to Mrs. Whitney's all the spring it has occassioned a good deal of talk, but she is not the one to stop for that. Fannie has written 16 pages to Mary at Mt Holyoke, she can write two pages to my one. My school is not near as large as the fore-part of the term, a good many are sick. Will not some of you come up at the close? Aunt Mary has sent a pillow case and a pair of shoes to mother, suppose by Amos,- they were left here, anyway, How do uncle Timothy's folks get along? It causes me many pangs to think Laura's [G?] is at Charles; alas that she will seem beautiful to him, I fear. Please excuse this poor letter, and this long delay. Love to all, Farewell, Thine

forever A

[envelope] [postmark: MORRISVILLE VT. APR 22]

William B. Stevens. East Mountpelier, Vermont.