Ever Dear Brother,

Could you make one of our number this evening it would seem to dispel the gloom which rest upon all around me, but this is denied me, and in pensive silence will relate our tale of woe. The evening you left us little William came home complaining of a pain in his knee, but with some nursing he had a comfortable night's rest; the next morning it continued, and by spells it was severe with some appearance of fever; we called a Physician he left an application for the affected limb and medicine; alarming symptoms appeared in the evening; partial derangement and nervous affection; medicine never had a good operation, nor affected him favorably; on Wednesday we sent for Dr. Spaulding, he said everything should be done as though there was more hope; every prescription was carefully followed, but the disease increased until the Sabbath morning Sept. 3 the dear little sufferer expired.¹ His mother was with him from the first of his sickness; he was a darling child very dear to us all; memory weeps at the recital of his loveliness; but to his lone mother it was an agonizing scene, it awakened in her heart that agony which time had partly smoothed. The case was singular Dr. W. said he never met with one like it, all the name he could give it was inflammation, it terminated in mortification; his remains were carried to Goffstown.

Heard this evening of the death of Mr. Chessman; there is no prevailing sickness here at present much more healthy than last season. Last week Mr. Preston and Mr. Steel from New York called on us. Mr. P. is a son of Aunt Fisher, he is a member of Middlebury College and as interesting a person as I ever saw; Mr. S. is a cousin of ours he appeared quite likely. You will write to Mr. Sawyer immediately they will be anxious to the event of little W. sickness. They thought we had better direct the letter to you and you can put it in the Post Office.

Our folks commenced picking hops last week they are very poor. Father fell and spraint [sic] his shoulder so he has not been able to help for a few days, it is getting better. I have nothing to say respecting my visit to B. I have never named it since I saw you it is not very probable it will take place. You may defer waiting a fortnight after you receive this. Mother desires her remembrance to you my respects to all who inquire for me.

Your affectionate sister

Eliza [McQuesten]

¹ William was a nephew to Eliza and Calvin McQuesten by their brother William and his wife Clarissa McQuesten (nee Gove). He was born Oct. 31, 1818, less than a month after the death of his father on Oct. 4.