Hamilton Dec 21st/70
Dear Lenns,

Yours commenced Nov 3rd and finished Dec 9th came July 10 hand and would have been answered before now only we have had sick children in the house all the time since I read it.

Our little Clara was very low for several days so low that we feared we where going to lose her, but she is now somewhat better although not out of danger. The P was taken with cough then weeks ago. Today and two weeks ago scarlet fevers set in. For more then two weeks we could scarcely get her to take any food at all. For the past few days she had taken a little but not enough to get up much strength. Her pulse has been 140 and very weak and irregular it is now some stronger and more regular but is nearly as rapid.

Last Friday Frank was taken with the same fever but seems to be getting along well. We have not been able to get any nurse so have had to do the best we could ourselves. I have been up every night for nearly two weeks but have slept a little in the day time. Under the circumstances you will hardly expect much of a letter from me.

I enclose a Draft in N.Y. for $55 10/100 being proceeds of $50, [gold?] you can send me your note due us your [??]. I do not recollect when the other is due and have not time to look it up just now.

I am myself rather short of money my expenses have been unusually heavy this year and it makes me feel a little poor but can spare this amount without putting myself to much [??]. I am, glad Dr Ormiston is being apreciated[sic] in N.Y. hope he will like it and be the means of doing much good there.

Excuse this miserable scrawl and believe me as ever
Yours truly
L.P. Sawyer¹

¹ Luther Payson Sawyer is one of the three nephews of Dr. Calvin McQuesten who purchased the Hamilton foundry from him in 1857. For more information on the foundry, search on Dr. Calvin McQuesten from the "Family" page. It is not known why this payment is being made to Dr. Calvin Brooks McQuesten. It may have been a debt.