Poe Archive

New London, May 7th, 1842

Dear Brother,

As time is precious, I will endeavour to improve an opportunity which is before me in writing you a few lines. I have been in good health since I left Saxtons Village and have enjoyed myself very well.

I am now attending school here at New London which is probably no news to you and I like the school very well. I board at Mr. Jonathan Everett's. I do not know whether he is any relation to us or not probably he is as near related as 99th cousin it is a first rate place to board there is no mistake as to that. But I should rather live at Rockingham & for all that the school has got to keep two weeks longer.

I think I shall come to Rockingham after school has done if nothing happens to the contrary. I have had a letter from Mother since she arrived at Warner. She wrote that you were at Mr. Guilford's. I had made up my mind that you would stay to Grandfather's this summer but it seems as if you will not. I hope you have got a good place to work. I suppose I shall have to work out somewhere this summer and I should like to find a place over there for I had rather work over there than at Warner or any other place in this state. I have been sorry that Mother bought a house in Warner for I think that it will not seem so much like home as it would in Rockingham. I never have seen the house but Mother wrote that she had been to see it and she liked it very well. I believe it is about 12 miles from here to where Uncle Brown lives. Mother wrote that Uncle Brown was going to Rockingham sometime this month after the remainder of the goods and if he does not go until school is done, I guess I shall come with him, but if he goes before school is done I think I shall come in the stage.

I want to see the folks in Rockingham and in Westminister. It is so long since I see them. I presume the time has not seemed so long to you since I came away from the Village as it has to me. It has seemed a great while to me all though it has not been but 6 or 7 weeks. Give my respects to Grandfather's folks and tell them that I am alive and well have bread and dinner enough to eat without any exceptions. I have to pay $1.50 per week for my board and find my own firewood so you see that it is rather costly going to school. The folks here are rather late doing spring's work though it is rather of a cold country here. Mr. Everett has not ploughed much and that he ploughed yesterday. I presume that you are about ready to plant over there. But the season is rather later here. It is getting to be about time for me to draw to a close. I wish you to answer this as soon as possible.

From your brother
S. A. C.