My dear Margaret [sic],

I am all alone this eve, Louisa & family with Catharine are gone to Concord, your Sisters to prayer meeting at Judge [Hay?].¹ I am presented by longings. I have taken cold some how have been with Louisa most of the time for several weeks have this summer done sewing enough to amount to [$500?] all for Louisa, and shall go to Concord when C. returns shall miss them very much the [?] [kind offices?] & Louisa tid bits which she often sent me. Mary has been in this Eve and we both shed tears. Mary took your gown up and wept like a child. It does seem hard that we cannot see you.

Dear M. when will you come, are you entirely weened from us? Not so with us we talk of you and think of you too often, perhaps you may think I did wrong in giving my consent to have Edward come on with Mr. Dustin, but I could not refuse him yet I think it was for the best that he did not. I do hope that in some degree he merits your love and [anxiety?] from him. Oh how much I think of you all and how I do want to see you come next Spring I shall depend much on seeing you then, have not seen Mr. Dustin some say he is not sick many things are in a [?] respecting his embarassments [sic] &c. I am going to look into the business tomorrow have sent for Hamilton Mr Harvey & Mr Curtis it is said that my children's property is [?] or made over to Curtis & [?] for their security as they are bound for Dustin I shall know before I close this.

I feel very anxious & things have not gone quite right I believe I have many cares & anxieties that you my dear child know nothing of and I pray you never may. The gown was very acceptable and fits Hannah well I have done it up very nice it looks like [?] we love it and yet it makes us sad. I say to them dont cry and yet I cant help it myself the Mjr laughs at us and now you may think how we all appear when we get together. I have just been down stairs. Mr Greenough has returned and says that Louisa is good [sic] spirits, got down well was not much fatigued considering I felt very anxious for her as she expects to be confined the best of next month she will hardly get well settled. Hugh Alfred is a fine child looks like your Father, walks like him I love him dearly he is superior to any of her children though they are all good, and well managed. [?] has been quite [?] in our Church 8 persons were confirmed when the Bishop was last here Mr. Chase is much engaged and the Church seem [sic] to have awaked from their drowsy state it was time too long have we slumbered pray for us my dear daughter that we may be up and doing the Lords work.

I had a long interesting and very satisfactory conversation with Lt. [Gunnison] the last visit he made here. I have no doubts with respect to the sincerity of his love and esteem for Catharine and I do think that she prefers him to any other person but whether they will ever be united is not me [sic] to say or think of at present they may alter their minds. This world is a changing world and not to be depended on this much I must say that I could willingly give my consent were it to be asked but it may never be he does not intend to make the army his profession for any length of time but felt it his duty to accept his present appointment it is a lucrative office will command a handsome salary & hope to hear from him soon.

I shall write Edward and I want you always to remember when an opportunity presents for writing that you are indebted to me, will you. Your [?] young Sister attend [sic] school [?] if the time merits twice a day once in Latin and one [sic] in arithantics [sic] as her eye is weak and I dare not have her study more they are good children. H. is quite engaged not only in her studies but all [meeting?]. I think and trust that a happy change is gradually taking place in her the work of the lord is begun. Oh that it may continue untill [sic] every child [here?] may a child of God my blessings increase every day Oh may I have a thankful heart aheart [sic] to praise God as I ought for all his past & present mercies to me a poor unworthy worm of the dust.

Your Sisters have returned and I must say a good night. Sept [?] have been baking all the morn. Mary has been in for a rarity says go and ride with me this afternoon call at Cous. Ham and on Mr. Simpson see if he can take the desk I am going as Ham is not as yet come down. Have seen Mr. Harvey he thinks I am safe as does Mr. Curtis I feel some better but I am tired and my hand trembles sadly it will soon be time for dinner going to have baked lamb green apple pie bread &c wish you were here to dine with me the Dr. your Hus. and my Edward or your Edward as you are pleased to call him. Oh that he may ever deserve your love. I am not pleasantly situated nor hardly comfortable at present my house is not [?] for two families dirt and confusion seems [sic] to be at present the prevailing system should you ever keep house Margaret see to your work if possible and be akeeper [sic] at home how much depend [sic] on Woman shall a Man be rich shall he be happy it is Woman that must make him so, however feeble one is they may and can have order neatness and it said [sic] that no unclean thing shall enter the kingdom of heaven I do think that cleanliness is a virtue that every female ought to possess my things will I hope look better next spring when you come on tell your Hus. that I cannot think of your going to Canada before coming here. I may not write you more now will if I can.

Your loving Mother

C. S. Lerned [Catharine S. Lerned]

[Envelope wrapper:]

[To] Mrs. Margarette McQuesten, Brockport, New York

¹ This letter is written almost entirely without punctuation and has been transcribed with only minor changes.

² To learn more about Margarette Barker Lerned [McQuesten] please see W0609.