Dear sister M.

Messrs Dustin & McAllaster have held a consultation this P.M. as to the expediency of measures proposed. The latter will write the conclusion to you.¹ Your letter was received with gratitude and that of your husbands also. I did not know before, but he'd forgot to write letters of greater length than 3 or 4 lines; then judge my surprise at beholding one and a half pages, and in a compact style too! We were happy in hearing of your health and happiness--surprised at both J & P Fishers' marriage. I visited Mrs. Jones of New Boston (formerly Wid. Hill of Amos Keag)² who was a Blanchard, of Milford;³ but know of no other one of the name in that place. She is very much of a lady & proud enough too. Respects to all the F. family, especially James–say I've some of his & P's writing in my Pocket Book.

We have now 4 boarders, 2 Misses [Deane?], of New Boston & 2 gents, making 10 of us, and no hired help. Sept. 3. Mary Anne Lovejoy pass'd the day with me--had also a call from Dr. Willard the famous Dentist at Concord. What's your opinion as to opretions [sic] on the teeth? The 8^th inst. at 1/2 past 10 o'clock A. M. T. Wells & E. Little were married. No one but L. Stanwood invited, save connexions. She had on a cinnamon merino riding dress--plain straw with white satin ribbon, set of solid gold earings [sic]--pins & buckle the latter presented by Thom's. This was her bridal array. After dinner she left for Charleston, No. 4 escorted by Capt. Green & lady Col. Long & [?] & W. Little & lady. She will board this winter at B. and write you soon. To day Mrs. A. Lovejoy dined with us. This morn we rose 'tween 2 & 3 o'clock--finished washing about 10 and I've done nothing since but wait on company. Capt. N. Green has just call'd to inform me that Dr. Willard would be here tomorrow to fill & fix my teeth. How I dread it!!!!

"All the folks" are gone to Boston, and were it not for the Academy twould be dull [?] to live here. Capt. Hale took Miss E. Clark to Boston and they were there married. He leaves for New Orleans in 10 days.

Tuesday Morn. Have just built the fire & made the coffee and great is my haste lest the stage should come, and Dr. W. in it. As I finished the last line in my last eve's epistle, who should come but the Maj. to write his part, and then Capt. Hale & lady pass'd an hour with us. She look'd pretty--then came James Emerson. His wife has a daughter, and they start this morn for Boston. No less than 9 from this villa start this morn for B. Capt. Flanders is one. Nothing of note save riots, at Concord and elsewhere, on account of the Anti Slavery lecturer Thomson. But I yet hold on to the faith, and mean to, till I see the error, if such it is. Your friends are all well & send love.

As to E. if he & your hus. like, we will forward the $1,000 and soon as is deemed expedient, or, as soon as collected. Should you on these conditions conclude to take E. you will please forward a letter, or a paper marked with the letter Y soon as convenient and he will come immediately.⁴ He has now the offer of a place in Lowell $900 per year but tis a dissipated place, and dangerous for the morals. Trust we have been explicite [sic] enough in our communications, and that you will be satisfied with the same. Your consort would please to accept the thanks of all his connexions for his long & handsomely written epistle. The Maj. says "Tis equaled by none. So never have doubt." Mother wants to write a long letter, but her fingers are sore from washing, and she has not time. Let us hear from you soon.

C.C. L. [Catharine C. Lerned]

[Ex?] all.

¹ W0809 & W0810 were folded together into the same envelope wrapper.

² Amoskeag is near Manchester, New Hampshire.

³ Milford, New Hampshire is south of Manchester, New Hampshire, near Nashua.

⁴ In 1835, Dr. Calvin McQuesten had agreed to supervise the education of Edward Lerned (the half-brother of his wife Margarette) and had made financial arrangements with Edward's legal guardian, Mr. Dustin. By the summer of 1838, however, Mr. Dustin was threatening legal action against Dr. McQuesten for money that he claimed was owed to Edward, which all parties hoped to settle outside of court. For details and links, see W-MCP4-6.233. To learn more about Margarette Barker Lerned [McQuesten] please see W0609.