French and Indian War soldier describing death of his wife to his father-in-law
Author
Recipient
Date Written
April 1, 1776
Wait Hotchkiss was 42 years old when this was written.
Wait Hotchkiss died 23 years, 6 months, 14 days after writing it.
It was written 247 years, 6 months, 4 days ago.
It was a Monday.
Waterbury April the 1 1776
Onered (Honored) father and mother after our duty to you and love to brothers and sisters and all friends hoping thes lins (these lines) will find you well. I would inform you in a short and broken maner and in grat hast (great haste) that we remain much distrest (distressed). I fear no better then when brother and sister was there. hur (Her) body very much sweld (swelled) and very helples a tedes cof (A tedes cough: tedes is Latin for dry) attends hur (her). hur triel (Her trial) is grate (great) our burden heavey. may god grant us grace to behave wisely under his righteous visitation for that is all writ. we want to hear from you pray send me a letter if you can by mr. nickels who I expect to bee the carier (carrier). brother sutliffs are well. so I remain you obedent child,
Wait Hotchkiss
*Punctuation has been added and spelling corrected to make reading easier.
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