Poe Archive

Burlington
December 20th 1838

Dear Brother,

After months of fatigue and trouble we find ourselves seated down here in a snug room with every comfort and convenience about us. We arrived the fifteenth, left Stoneham [Massachusetts] in an open wagon, rode to Vergennes [Vermont] where we slept; next morning took the stage and at twelve was at our own lodgings. We were kindly received although unexpected, and had partly made up there minds not to take us, for want of good help. They soon procured a woman and we shall get along very comfortably.

Our family consists of Mr. And Mrs. Griswold, two young gentlemen from Boston who are reviewing their studies with a favorite professor in this college and acquiring the German language preparatory for travelling in Europe. We only meet at meals when we find them polite and agreeable. Our host is a liberal educated gentleman, has been and is still in high standing, unfortunately generated himself in business with his son, who was gay, thoughtless, and dissipated, and before he was aware of it, nearly ruined, after paying thousands, he has [?] his business and in comfortable circumstances. The house he occupies is small and every way inferior to the beautiful situation he left and which they are again looking forward too, his children are all from home, the wife a second one, pretty and engaging a little [?] I think. No wonder after experiencing such a reverse, he keeps a horse gig and slay and a boy to drive. He says he must not think of walking to church, although a short distance as his conveyance shall always take us there.

Jane has been to Mr. Authur’s, they last evening returned the [?]. They appear well suited and hope we may be equally, so the weather has been cold and stormy of course, but little moving and no opportunity of knowing how we may like present appearance. Our home is more agreeable than any we have found since we left our own—how fortunate we returned. Welsch proved the greatest rascal that ever one confided in; he had wasted most of our property in drunkenness and extravagance, everybody knew his folly and everyone kept us ignorant, not very kind I think. Hannah was as much deceived as we were although so near him. I soon discovered all was not right and determined to investigate but had no idea of the extent of his embarrassment until Mr. Harris, the sheriff, informed me; we then began to regulate as well as time would admit, made a partial settlement, and got a judgement for one hundred and fifty dollars in a Justice Court, which gave us the third claim, and secured our own part in all the [?].

We next found a man who wanted to take the farm, had money to pay those two executions and take possession immediately depriving Welsch of all power or control over any part of the property, leaving him no other privilege than remaining in part of the house until the first of April with what furniture he bought. Two hogs and two bushels of potatoes and a large family to support, so much for a villain. Mr. Bailey has been upright from his youth, a member of twenty years in the Methodist Church, like yourself, temperate from inclination and principles, a great worker and came taken and has acquired several hundred dollars by his industry, his wife goes hand in hand with him, is Brother to the man who so many years managed Mrs. Deall’s farm. They are very decent different people from any we have ever had on our farm. He takes it on much better terms from us than we have ever let it. His own teams and farming utensils pays both land, road disc, keeps garden yard and strawberry in order, gives the one half of increase of everything in good order, delivers as we direct. Mr. Harris as been our warm friend and advisor. He had the power and exercised it in our favor for which we shall ever feel grateful. Without some disaster, we have a competency for the next year, and trust we shall be provided for in the future—the first rents received, our signatures sent to Mr. Arthur who will attend to the execution of them and transmit to you agreeable to my direction. I want you to advance the money for our insurance which must be reversed the first of February. Mr. Campenton will no doubt attend to it but we want him to know the money is ready for him. Jane is going to trouble John J. to [?] for the American hay for the year and direct to J. N. Deall Buntington, Vermont which money we will remit by the first conveyance and ask him to write me and give his direction. I am anxious to know what his future pursuits are to be. We look for something from him and hope we shall not be disappointed. We should like to take a look sometime and see how [?] is morning or, the Doctor is no doubt married and [?] one at rest on that subject, as we steared him about excessive love, he will never forgive a passion so [?] to such a high standing—however we are very easy under his displeasure.

I did not receive Joseph’s letter until the last of November or I should have answered it. Tell him to write again everything relative to him and his will be interesting—I hope Jacob enjoys good health this winter with love to all who think no worth in enquiring after. I remains so ever your affectionate sister,

Ethelinde Deall

Direct your letters to Burlington Vermont. We are near the office Mr. Griswold there every day.