My dear niece,

Not doubting that you feel anxious to hear from your sister Mrs. [Currier?]. I will say a few words to you in regard to her. Dr. Tyler, the Superintendent of the assylum [sic] says that there has been no material alteration in her state of mind since she came under his charge. He thinks that in one respect she has rather improved but she is still "very crazy." He does not seem inclined to give any decided opinion as regards the result of her malady but I infer that he considers it as one of the worst cases under his care. I believe she will receive kind treatment and I cannot but hope that the change will have a salutary effect on her mind. I went to Milford last week to ask after her furniture i.e., I sent Mr. Gillis there and as he holds a Mortgage on the best part of the furniture I thought the better way was to put it all in his care, as he says he has plenty of room and would take care of it and if Esther should be in a situation to use it again she could have it. Dr. Tyler thinks it would prejudicial for Esther to see any of her friends or receive any communication from any of them. Your aunt and cousins send love to you and Lizzy. With kind regards to the Doctor and Lizzy.¹

Your affectionate uncle,

F. French

¹ Likely Lizzie (sometimes called Lissy or Lizzy) Currier who may have been Mrs. Currier's daughter and Elizabeth Fuller McQuesten's niece, see W1193, W1205, W1211. There are letters in the archive from a Lizzie French (relationship unknown) who wrote several letters to Dr. Calvin Brooks McQuesten and with whom he appears to have had a romantic relationship. She died young of consumption, and he never married and carried her picture in his wallet until he died (W-MCP5-6.339 to W-MCP5-6.343).

Elizabeth Fuller McQuesten (sometimes called Lissa, Lizzie or Lissie), who was originally from Boston, Massachussetts but moved to Hamilton after she married Dr. Calvin McQuesten on Dec. 22, 1853. During their courtship and their first years of marriage, Elizabeth seemed pleasant enough but grew more and more temperamental and demanding, harping on her husband and stepsons, particularly Isaac who tried to intervene on his father's behalf. She would often demand money and sometimes made threats to get what she wanted. She also attempted to coerce her husband into changing his will in her favour but Dr. McQuesten and his sons thwarted her with a trust deed (W0234) and secret will which granted her a basic annuity while her stepsons received all of their father's property and investments. See W-MCP5-6.351 for more details and links.