Poe Archive

January 4, 1836

My Dear Mother,

I this morning feel just like writing a letter altho’ I shall not send it today as Lloyd is expected tomorrow and after he comes we shall probably know something about going to Lowell. I suppose you are now in Lancaster and pleasurably situated. I have not heard from there this long while. Catherine does not like it very well that Emily does not write to her, says she cannot think but that she might if she wished to.

How is Sally’s health? Hope she will write when you do again. I suppose it will be of no use to ask E. to. Mr. Bailey goes to Montpelier tomorrow—thought once of writing but supposed you have gone--Elizabeth also—did she go? Aunt Hannah Munsie is at Fairlee—I have been over to see her—she says she is going to Montpelier and Waterford this winter—Dr. Struck says that it will ruin Sally’s health to take laudanum and that if she has any decayed teeth they ought by all means to be drawn if not she can never be cured—he says the complaint in her case belongs to the teeth.

Have you heard from our Uncle in New York since the dreadful fire—how many sufferers it must have made. Last week I wrote to Hassie Baytor have not heard from her yet. Mrs. [?] Wheelen said that last week two ladies and a gentleman from M. passed through here—One of the ladies said she had boarded with us—it must have been Mrs. French. I have not seen anyone that I knew, since I came here but Mrs. Dorois L. down to the crosses. I have been there twice and staid part of two days since I came here—but do not like to visit there. They are much talking meddlesome bodies, yet they trust me with great kindness. I stay here nearly till the time—go to see Mrs. Wheelen and Cousin May occasionally—All our friends enquire for you Mrs. S. says she should like to write to you Mrs. Britton says she shall write after we have gone to Lowell but when that will be I know not—I should like to know why Emily and Mr. Trent did not approve of my going to Lowell—please tell me when you write. Yesterday was communion here—I [?] to approach the table in improper frame of mind hit. I did not feel as I ought to –the state of religion here is very low –the Church very small—none of the most influential men belong to it & its members are mostly very ignorant. I wish Mr. B. could come here. an excellent man. I like him much he is trying to [?] the Church—he has heard Mr. B but once—does not decidedly like him. I felt that there is need of my being constantly watching and prying (but I do not do it) I am to liable to err—I began a journal two weeks ago, but have written but little. Shall you not stop at Waterford and Littleton? Oh how glad I shall be when you go to house keeping again. I hardly know how to employ my time here. Mrs. B. has no sewing for me and I have no materials for doing any for myself—there cro-kniting work—do not wish to [?] my black dress [?] here—I will tell you what articles I need and you may do as you please about sending them—some white cotton—a little cambric for ruffling—cloth for stays facing and sleeve lining of two gown wrists since some [?] black silk for sleeve linings—[?] it is not fit—it is right for [?]. I want some shoes and can get none here-[?] I will finish tomorrow or next day.

Thursday morning. Loyd B. did not come last night but is expected this week. I should not send this until after he comes—but Mr. Britton says he shall go to Lowell very soon after L. comes and I fear if I went until there you will not have time to answer this [?]—I have been thinking that it may be foolish to send the articles mentioned yet I need them ever much and when I do yet every thing I am obliged to give as much again as it is worth—Have you heard from Lowell? Catharine has had a letter from her aunt saying that she should expect her every stage –[?] but she will not one word of [?] family—I should think they would write if they wished to see me—How is your health? And Aunt of all the others—wish I could see you all—After you last wrote, I took my hair down—but Mrs. B. and cute disliked it so much, I put it p again—it is too long and thick, it will not cure—I do not tie it but twist up and [?] an old trite comb. This afternoon I am going to see Mrs. Cupriphele, the minister’s wife—there is very little visiting [?] here. I think I never was in the Miller place—yet I do not mind this. I hope you will write us as soon as possibly can after getting this letter. I do not feel in a writing mood this morning—you will doubtless thinks so from the style of this letter. I hope you will show it to no one. I suppose E. will enjoy herself very much this winter in M. She must write to me and tell me all that is going on there.—Is Julia Wight engaged to J. Howes? Tell me about Mrs. Buschends meetings in Burlington and where is he going from there wish I could hear him preach again. I shall expect a letter as soon as you can have time to write one. Do not think that I shall write again until after we go to Lowell Mrs. B. will write to you. I have every reason to lover her and do. I could not receive more kindness than I have from her—For this and all other mercies I trust I feel thankful and realize that there is one to whom I could go at all times—love to all. How much I wish to see little Henry—so tell me all about him—do not fail of writing us as soon as possible. Sully must write—she has not for a long time.

Your affectionate daughter

My dear Mrs. Oakes
We thank you kindly for sparing Phebe to us for a little season—you have really done a charitable deed in giving us so much of her time. All we have to regret is that we could not make it more pleasant for her. It is so exceedingly dull here that I wonder she has not been homesick but she has borne it with a great [?] of patience. Mother desires much love to you and days she intends writing you a long letter after Phebe and I leave. We are happy to hear that your health is improving [?] it will soon be perfectly good. It would give us all much pleasure my dear Mrs. Oakes to see you here and before ere long you will visit us. Please give my love to your daughters as for Emily F. fear she has forgotten me quite. Yours sincerely,

Catherine M. Britton