Branch, Eaton

Author: Nancy J. (Draper) Nelson age 56
Title: Letter to Helen [age 24]
Date: October 1870
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Lawrence
October 1870

Dear Helen (age 24),
Although you do not write to me I suppose for some good reason I doubt not you will be glad to know how we are getting along so this eve the sixth anniversary of your wedding day and the 9th since we last saw our beloved Marcus, I am alone as your Pa [Moses Nelson Jr] has gone to Wills so to commence work early in the morning. He has sowed three acres of wheat there on shears, he finished sowing Saturday but had not time to finish dragging in, as it was a prospect of rain it seamed very necessary for him to go to night, though alone I feel I am not alone for my beloved Shepherd is near. I heard an excellent sermon to day from Br Havens from these words – contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, not for creeds, he said but alone for this faith it is a feast to hear him preach for all that love the truth we had a good lodge meeting last evening though our number was but eight, Sister Squires thought best to give up but was opposed by nearly all the rest she could not see what good the Lodge was doing, I was stirred up by such a speech, I told them by the same rule we might say as individuals we could not any see good we were doing so we would do nothing more, I told them I thought instead of being discourage it would be better for all that had an interest at the throne of grace to pray for our cause your Father intended to give you the pass word but for got it.

Now about your peaches. Your father Branch [Eaton Branch] got six two quart cans (as we had no means to get them) and I have caned them to the best of my ability he did not bring the word in about a week he was very much drove and forgot it, but we had saved yellow peaches expecting to hear from you, they were our late peaches but very rich flavored they were smaller than the early ones but I cut them in halves so they look nice tell Jesse and Amanda [age 3] that we have got a calico kitty and to night she catched a mouse though she is a very little kit. I did not dry many peaches for I was so lame I could not, we sold them at a dollar per bushel very readily.

My ankles are improving some, so I do not suffer as much pain as I did. I have been taking Ayers Sarceparilla is the cause of improvement, I suppose you missed Jesse’s N gowned. It hung in the chamber. It has been very sickly in Lawrence and vicinity. Uncles folks have all been sick but Frank, but we have been highly favored not having to call a physician this summer. It is after ten so I must close pleas write soon if but a short letter.

With love and good wishes I remain your ever loving mother,
NJ Nelson [age 56]