My dear Aunt,

This is the first time I have ever attempted to write to any of my friends. It is a very pleasent [sic] thought that I have an aunt Margarette who is so interested in the welfare of her nieces at the East. Although I have not seen you for more than five years, yet I very well remember your looks the last time you was here at our house. I hope the time is not far distant when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again at Hopkinton and be introduced to the little New York cousin. Mother often speaks of you, and wishes you lived nearer us. I suppose you would like to know how large I am, and what I am doing. Mother is only a head taller than I am. I can do little of almost any kind of work. I have finished working that muslin you gave me and it makes a handsome pair of pantaletts [sic]. I now attend the Academy and my studies are Smiths Grammar, Goodrichs history of the United States, Malte Brown Geography and Adams Arithmetic and write composition once a fortnight. Mr. Dickey is an eccelent [sic] teacher. He is from Epsom, and graduated at Dartmouth College. He is engaged to take charge of the male Department till next August. Miss Bean will commence in May to take charge of the ladies.

The Bible and thimble that you gave me remind me of you often, though my thimble shows the effects of the needle, as it has performed many a task. Timothy, Mary and Martha Jane go to school, and are very good scholars. Martha Jane is called the smartest of the lot, she has pieced most a whole bed quilt, and can read any where. We all send our love to uncle Edward and wish to see him very much. I hope my dear aunt you will visit us next summer with uncle Edward. We anticipate much pleasure in seeing you after so long a time. I have one letter which I recieved [sic] from you, in safe keeping, and hope I shall soon have another.

Give my love to uncle McQuesten though I do not remember him. The term of our school closes the 6^th of February, the day I am 12 years old. The vacation will be one week and I should like to spend it with you, if I could get there in season. But as I cannot, I hope you will accept of this letter as a substitute. Please to excuse all errors. I will try to write better next time. I should be very happy to receive letters from you and it shall be answered with pleasure by,

Your affectionate niece,

Margarette L. Flanders

[Envelope wrapper:] Mrs. Margarette B. McQuesten, Brockport, N.Y.

¹ To learn more about Margarette Barker Lerned [McQuesten] please see W0609.