Author: Nancy J. (Draper) Nelson
Title: Letter to “Children” [Valeria – age 34, Marcus – deceased, Helen – age 25]
Date: 01 January 1871
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:
Lawrence
January 1, 1871
Dear Children,
I suppose you have looked long and anxiously for a letter. I was sick with Erisipelas when I received your last and since I have got about it has been such cold weather and so much making fires at night that I have not found time or felt able to write. Valeria came and stayed one night and a day and Mrs Benjamine was here at the same time the rest of the week. Mrs. Bercham came once a day and swept and done all she could, my limb was dreadfully swollen so the skin burst and so inflamed the skin pealed off, I had to go to work when I was obliged to use my crutch. my limb is swollen considerable yet but is over the soreness. Aside from this we are in usual health, but with all my privations and sufferings I feel that I have much to be thankful for at the beginning of this new year. Many blessings of which thousands are deprived. Mr Benjamine and wife have both been out likewise Wm Haverd [unclear] from Yor Stand. Susan went with him when he went back, she expected to stay five weeks. Her Br James was to be married the 14th of December so she got there to the wedding. I suppose your Aunt Ellen is very sick again. I have not been to see her but Uncle said she was better to day, I went to V’s yesterday. She is well and wanted to write to you but had not time before we had to come home. She says she will write as soon as she can.
We were very sorry that we was away when Elam came, we had gone to Wills for turnips. We had a fine lot of them. OW Rowland is going to try to get my Pension. We should have went up last week but it was so cold until Saturday we could not leave the house, we shall go to morrow if the weather is fit. Valeria has a parlor stove for her front room so she is comfortable, her cow makes lots of butter so she gets along finely. I got a letter from your Aunt Sarah [Nancy’s brother Nelson B. Draper’s wife, Sarah Spencer Draper?] about the time I got yours. She was feeling quite unwell when she wrote she had been helping your Uncle do his falls work. She and the girls had husked all their corn 300 bushels and she was tired out. She said their crops turned out better than they expected. She thought they would have more potatoes than they should want, your Uncles health is better. She said they had not heard a word from my son in law since he left. I think he had best let them know of his welfare. I thank you very much for the Sack. It is so comfortable under my Shawl. With wishing you all a happy new year I will close, pleas excuse mistakes.
Your loving Mother,
NJ Nelson
PS Helen have you thought what our watch word is yet.