Pleasant Plains Jefferson Co Iowa June
The 24th 1855
Respected Cousin I received thy letter dated May 7th and read it as I walked home from town the contents of which was pleasant to me although I had hoped it would say that you were all ready to start to Iowa. We would be glad to see you all but I guess we need not look for you until we see you. Tell Uncle William (3562) when ever he gets ready to come just to step into the cars and start. He can come in a few days and hardly miss the time.
We are all enjoying usual health at present except Father. I believe I told you when I wrote last about his having the Tyfoid Fever. He recovered so far as to be able to be about the most of his time. He exposed him self more than was best. His limbs became bloated and turned a dark color almost black. The Physician advised him to keep them wrapped with cloths wet in vinegar with sugar of lead dissolved in it. He followed the directions for some time when his legs broke out with white pimples which were very painful. He quit the use of the vinegar and applied cloths wet in cold water. He has been mending ever since. He was for some time that he could scarcely walk from the bed to the fire but has now got so he can get around pretty well. He has been to see all his children five in number.
Nine of the conexion have been prostrated on their beds with some fever but have all recovered except one of Sister Hannah’s (3695) little boys (3947) who was called to his lony home. I said the rest had recovered but some of them have not as good health as they had previous to their being sick. Health is generally pretty good so far as I know. There are some members camped south of us one mile at a neighbor house. They have the scarlet fever among them. Some of the children have been quite sick so that they cannot travel. They are from Ohio but I cannot say what part but likely not from your settlement.
We have had a very cold dry spring but the summer so far has been very favorable. There was frost on the nights of 7th and 8th of last month which bit the spring wheat and oats to the ground. Fall wheat and rye were hardly injured. Even the peas were bit down. The tame fruit was nearly all killed. There seems to be some wild fruit left especially grapes and geberries and it looks as though black berries would be plenty. I wish thee would come out and go with me to gather berries. They will be ripe in the eighth month. Thee would have plenty of time to come against then.
Sister Martha (3700) received a letter from Aunt Jane Bell. She said they were all well. She said there was frost there on the second and third nights of this month that killed the corn to the ground. But there was hope of its recruiting. She said wheat looked well but the grass was short.
Well this is first day evening and some of the rest are gone visiting. I am seated on the porch writing. It is a pleasant evening. I have been to school and meeting to day. I there saw some of my associates. Perhaps thee will wonder what kind of school I have been to. I can tell thee it is called a first day scripture school. We have to read and answer questions and commit verses in the bible and testament to memory and recite them.
I did not intend writing so soon as this when I read thine and found that thee got the last I wrote and delayed answering so long. But they brought home thirty weight of rolls from the carding machine and I have to commence spinning this week. I cannot tell when we will get through for we have fifty weight more at the machine and I did not know when I would get another chance soon to write.
Iowa is full of young people and if thee will come there will be one more. I think perhaps Iowa could afford one young chap for a Buckeye gal for there is plenty of them here and some of them is not to be grinned at by them that have no teeth. Thee must let me know when thee is coming and I will have one picked out for thee. There was one wedding here week before last. A young gentleman of nineteen married an old maid of 27. That’s the way it goes. It is almost equal to one that took place here two or three years ago. An old bachelor of thirty married a young girl of fifteen.
If you cannot read such scribbling as this just throw it in to bookcase and tell it to lay there until I come and I will read it I can.
Write whenever thee feels like it or as soon as thee can. No more at present. I remain thy affectionate Cousin.
Anna Bell Pleasant Plains Peen Township Jefferson Couny State of Iowa
PS Martha requests me to say that she would like to have the pattern of the Whig Rose. Aunt Sarah (3563) was talking about it when she was here and she thought perhaps she could send it by Uncle William if he ever comes to Iowa.
No comments:
Post a Comment