Pregnancy: Grant-Burr Family Papers

[Addressed to]                        Mr. Ebenezer Burr
                                    Norfolk
                                    Litchfield Co.
                                    Conn. [Connecticut]

I will endeavor to write this letter more legibly that I did the last —
            And first to my dear little Ralph. [Ralph E. Burr]
                        So you like to go a fishing yet as well as ever. I have thought that perhaps when you were a very good boy, & helped nicely & did not make a cry face in the whole forenoon that Ma & Mary said you might go & get some fish & Sis Mary would cook them for your supper — I hope you will keep away from the deep water, bearing in mind that you are not yet a full grown man & probably have not the judgment of one.
            Wonder if you find plenty of chipmunks to shoot. There are here little animals very much resembling chipmunks, called gophers, when I see them I always think of you — When you come to visit us, had better bring your gun — I dont think you would find wolves, for I have neither seen or heard of any — but there are deer around — Daniel saw one the other day about the size of a little colt, & it looks some like one — If you should come this year, do not think you need fear snakes much for I heard but very little said about them, have not seen one of any description to D [Daniel]. only one — Last year they were here around considerable —            When you went on a shooting expedition you might take a basket & gather of the fruit about here, as you could find, strawberries, raspberries, red & black, whortleberries, blackberries, gooseberries, high bush cranberries, grapes, plums, crab apples, choke cherries, black cherries, hasle nuts & walnuts, or you might gather herbs & roots, wild balk with purple instead of red florets, wild summer savory, mint, pennyroyal, thoroughwort, mayweed, tansy sweet flag, leeks & cattail — And I am sure you would not leave unpicked some of the lovely flowers you would — thousands of wild rose bushes bearing sweet scented, single red roses, red, yellow, white & pink ladies slipper, painted cup, wild sunflower beside a few scores of which I know not the name
            But should you go into the woods in a warm day you would probably encounter several of musquitoes & gnats, <but> perhaps you would only feel the bite, & then think no more of it, as Daniel does, but should they poison you as they do me, & cause smarting, & itching & blotching, then salt & water or salt & vinegar is very good to put on.
            Almost every thing wild grows much more luxuriant here than on old farms in New England, pennyroyal & sweet flag are not nearly as pleasant as what you gather but have a strong rank taste. It is said that crab apples grow to considerable size, are hard & sour, but still quite eatable, if one can get no better —
            Should like to know if your <... some> prettiest kitten catches mice. We were quite troubled with mice & brought up Levi’s [Levi Grant] cat with six small kittens to clear them away — we put them in the chamber & the first night I awoke hearing the cries of a kitten & after a while rose, lighted a candle & found it on the kitchen floor with the cat by its side — It had fallen through a knot hole in the chamber floor seemed to be bruised & had a stiff leg — I had a great mind to cut its little head right off with the hatchet or if D. [Daniel] had some percussion caps for his pistol, dont know but I should have shot it — but I finally lay down again, & the next day it seemed better & after a while got well
            Now my dear brother if you can think yourself of some thing to write to me & do it without troubling Ma & Mary I should love to have you.
Very affectionately your sister,
Caroline Grant

My dear Mother [Pamela Benton Burr],
            Is often very often in my thoughts & sometimes the tears run down my cheeks as I think of her in her feebleness, oppressed with care & anxiety, or as I think that perhaps now is suffering by that disease with which she has at times been long afflicted O my dear mother, I want to ask your forgiveness that I have not always waited upon you with all the cheerfulness & patience becoming an affectionate dutiful, christian daughter. I know I labored to alleviate your distress, & should love <to> again to have the privilege, but then I think all would be of no avail without the blessing of Heaven, & with it all will be well — I am comforted by thinking that Mary is home, I hope that you will give your self as little solicitude about us as possible. I do not feel that we are peculiarly fit subjects for it, we are blessed with health, a sufficient supply of food & drink are among a Christian people with a devoted pastor, are in a Ter [Territory]. where with the Divine blessing we hope in a little time to be able to obtain everything desirable for our taste & I was a going to say comfort but we now have things for our comfort — There <are many more> is much more to enjoy here than I supposed, & it seems much more like N. England
            As for myself I have a kind husband whom I dearly love who is constantly striving to promote my happiness — I am not obliged to labor hard but have considerable leisure — I have not read very much — hardly know why — some of the warm days I feel languid & as if I didn’t want to do any thing or sit up — then I lie down & sleep an hour or two & it is considerable work to keep my dresses & stockings & D’s [Daniel] clothes in repair — & I do a little of this, & a little of that [text too faded to read] don’t really sit idle much — & read all the Miss. Heralds [The Missionary Herald, monthly publication of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions] & most of the newspapers & some in the Bible & in my cook books & a little moral. [...] pick fruit & write letters & read Mary’s compositions.
            Whenever I feel as if I wished for any thing go eat a bit of cheese or dried beef or raisin or black berry pie or stewed dried apples I remember what Ma said go right off & get it — & I believe it is a good way — Cas. E. Pinne put up dried blackberries for several pies — that bit of cheese that I brought is not gone. I do not often care for it & when it is gone I know where I can let a little stocking yarn go for some first rate — a year ago cheese was sold in Milwaukie for 18 cts pound — dont know the price now
Last Fri. Aug. 11 we received a sheet of foolscap well filled from mother Grant [Elizabeth Phelps Grant] — said was at our house not long before, sat to the table with you all & drank pure cold water — ‘twas a good letter — we also rec’d one from John — were glad of it — said he spent an hour very pleasantly about two weeks previous with Martha Woodward — she <was re> & her beau Mr. Cummings were riding about & visiting their friends with the hope that it might be a benefit to her health which is not good —
            We also at the same time rec’d [received] a paper from you & the letter send by Mr. Woodbridge & it was mailed at Milwaukie, have not seen any thing of Mr. W. or any of the Canaan people — You enquire what I did with those tins that were borrowed to bake cake in — I cannot tell — I think I clearly remember that Bill[al?] took only three, & I believe she brought that number — possibly I might have sent to Mr. Pendleton more than we borrowed of her — & her woman not have known — but I intended to make no mistake — Aunt Norton has only the one & I dont know as there was any other sent her — You also say you wonder what I took one of Mary’s good corsets for — when I read it I did not believe I had one — but I looked & found it if I put it in ‘twas by mistake — Mrs. Levi Grant expects to start for Ohio this week Sat. Aug. 9. & I will send it along by her for her Father Grant to take to you if he goes — I wish I had some dried plums to send but they are not ripe till Sept. I did not injure any of my clothing coming on more than one would rather fall — The Crocha shawl is in a good condition & I have thought some of sending it for M. but I do not think I can well get along without it — there are many here that dress genteely & with taste & I think this is no better [than I?]
            My dress is very good for the place — I have nothing but that I am glad I have — have seen no prettier hat than my white one — the roads are so filled with black dust that I cannot avoid getting it more soiled than if at home — but I am careful — wear a handkerchief over it —
            I wear my buskin calfskin high shoes when I walk at all, almost always change to go to Levi’s The socks are just beginning to wear through a little so as to need underlays D. [Daniel] says he can mend them — in the house I wear those calfskin [run?] rounds — the heels all stand erect yet —
& I have not [burnt?] them —
            I feel as if I should on no account suffer that large silver spoon to be made over —<I> intend to mind the suggestions in the letter so far as I can, but you know that I cannot exactly with regard to the spoons as we lost some — I wear no night dress & a plain coarse cap mostly — Should like the sheep skins — do not need the iron hook much as we use the holder & two crane hooks that D. [Daniel] brought. — presume we shall sometime be glad of the churn but have not needed it this summer — we nearly fill a six quart pan at a milking usually, set it in the cellar, & skim it in a 2 qt. pan, when it is nearly full of [cream?] I stir it with a spoon or paddle & have <from> generally about 1 1/2 lbs butter — have made this summer about 16 lbs. have put down three or 4 lbs for winter — & hope to more.
Shall like the beer keg —
            We did not find the pendulum belonging to the clock — D. [Daniel] also left a box of percussion caps for his pistol & a map of all <the different> missionary stations — he has two or three light vests here that need new button covers there are no pieces suitable — perhaps you or mother Grant could find some — do not put yourselves to much trouble — think perhaps you might send these articles by Mr. Harvey Grant & Lucinda Levi’s wife can bring them in the Spring —
            Of our neighbors you enquire — Levi’s people live down north east 1/4 of a mile — Mr. Hubbard the next nearest neighbor — lives 3/4 mile east — they are not religious people neither should I think them blessed with a great share of knowledge, nor a capacity for receiving it, but seem to be very clever, well disposed, & accommodating neighbors — very near them lives Tim Mayor & his wife, young Irish people — believe they are very <pretty> clever & accommodating —
            North west from here not farther than a mile lives Mr. Eggleston’s people English suspect they are not in good
Mr. E. rather [is?] a mean man — near them lives old Mr. Brown & his wife — Mrs. Brown is a smart, intelligent cheerful old lady — are Baptists — have a son an Anti Slavery <lecturer> & moral reform lecturer             His wife delivered a lecture on slavery to a crowded audience the other evening when she had concluded sung a song — we did not hear & not far from them lives Mr. Crocker — another Baptist family, believe Mrs. C [Crocker]. is called an intelligent lady they have a fine garden filled with vegetables & flowers We have no garden as we thought it necessary to go immediately to clearing — I miss it more than I supposed I should — but we have had sent in some lettuce, a few beets, squash, string beans new potatoes & green tomatoes — the tomatoes are pretty good fried & make very good pies —
Fri. Eve 10 o’clock. I intended to write Ma every little incident that occurred daily for several days in succession, but I thought I must write what I have I will endeavor to sometime Good night dear mother My health is good as it was last year — am not sick any only sometimes
very aff — Carry — [Caroline Burr Grant]
don’t feel much like work — Daniel wants me to give his love to all our people — he has intended to write in some of the letters but found no time —
            I want to tell my dear Father that I many times look at that little lock of hair that I cut from his head with a great deal of satisfaction — I do look at all the others too, but there is a peculiar emotion on seeing that, because there are silvery hairs there — I fancy that the next time I see my father I will find about the same number of black ones that I now do of grey —
            Believe we have not heard since we last wrote whether our boxes are in Milwaukie — Levi is going there to morrow & says he will search —
            By all that we enquire & hear abou[t?] stocking yarn don’t think that we can do any better with it than you & perhaps not as well — Give our love to Father Grants people — we wrote to Joel about a week since & directed to Millbrook —
If Mr. Harvey Grant has left for Conn. Before Mrs. Levi reaches there, or if he does not go shall ask her to mail this in Ohio
            D. [Daniel] is now cutting grass on our marsh south of the house 1/4 mile should think — has quite a stack a little distance from the house

My dear brother Erastus,
            Before <I> leaving we took Ralph’s height but I have forgotten it will you please see that it is taken again & sent — if you have grown any would like to know it — <You may>
            The time that the kitten fell D. [Daniel] had gone to Tenessee to [Ruluf?] & Frederic Grants for some potatoes they have been worth 50 cents [writing very faded] [a bushel about?] […] [very fair?] at that — the prospect of an abundant crop this year is very unfavorable it has been so extremely dry — we have had but about two bushels potatoes — wheat bread, & biscuit with milk & butter griddles & hasty pudding & milk of which last D. [Daniel] is a very fond — He has eat since he came to Wis [Wisconsin]. About as much as you do — says he never eat so much before
People that come here & settle on uncultivated <new> land are obliged to labor very hard to out & burn bushes & gather together & burn old logs dig a few stones & “break up” after the land is once broken then one can get [al?] with less hard labor then in N. E. [New England]
            My [dear?] brother I think of you often this summer & [in?] my prayers too — O I have wept again & again to think that I did not pray & labor & agonize more for you last winter when It seemed as if you had almost entered the kingdom of Heaven but O it is not now too late — the Savior says “come go to a meeting all you can, wont you” & try to be good every day — be assured you have my most sincere love & regard — very affectionately your [sis]ter Caroline
I want to know how your back is also your lungs —
To my dear sister Mary what can I say — My heart is full — You have my sincere sympathy a[s?] I think of you this summer laboring hard &c I suspect I don’t grieve as you do not because I love you less but because I have an aff. [affectionate] sympathizing heart here that lightens my heart
            You are remembered at the throne of grace —
            O dont grieve for me so — I trust we will yet spend part of our remaining days together —
            We want to hear from home often

[written in pencil, upside down on bottom of page]
Norfolk [Connecticut], Sept. 18.
My dear Mrs. Grant,
We received this last Saturday by Mr. Harvey Grant — Think perhaps that some portions will interest you Would like to read the letter which you last received from D. [Daniel] & C. [Caroline] & shall be much obliged if you will send it us the first opportunity should John not come with it you will notice that Caroline would like some pieces like D’s [Daniel] light vests — You may know what they are — We do not. Shall probably send something by Mr. Grant
Yours &c.
Mary Burr [Mary Burr Hill]

[Addressed to]                                                            Mr. Ebenezer Burr
                                                                        Norfolk
                                                                        Conn. [Connecticut]

                                                                        Waukesha [Wisconsin], Nov. 3, ’48.
My dear Parents, Sister, & Brother,
            I intended to commence a letter before my confinement & had Daniel finish it & send it on soon after, but that took place the first day of Oct. & my letter was then untouched but we did intend you should hear before this will reach you, but time passes before we know it. D.’s [Daniel] time & mind have been variously & busily occupied, & I have been negligent I will admit.
            We have a little son, a pretty child, plump & apparently healthy – he has thus far slept a great deal, but likes to be tended when awake. — his father has given to me the selection of his name & I am at quite a loss what to decide upon. Would like to name him after all of our friends, but our Parents & Grandparents gave to most of their sons names that sound rather graceless to my ear, have thought of the several names of our brothers with the letter E. for a middle name wh. [which] is an initial of the name of our Father, two of our brothers & other relatives but wh. [which] of the brothers names shd. [should] we take! I think John sounds the best. —   I have always fancied the name of Edward, & have thought of the name Edward Burr or Ralph Edward. what say you to all this? —    I got along very well indeed after confinement & at the time too had slight pains 16 hours or more but not [some?] more than 1 or 2 hours had some fever two or three days took a little cold I suppose the second week, but have had no trouble with caked breasts or sore nipples. I now feel quite well & strong – had good help – was with us between three & four weeks, & Daniel has since, as usual, been very kind & good to assist me. He has for several weeks past had some trouble with a weak & sour stomach – has & is taking some medicine —   two or three weeks ago he sprained his left wrist & has not been able to use it much since —   he has seemed to endure labor better this summer than for two years before & has earned a good many dollars. he is not yet decided what to do this winter, thinks <te?> of teaching school if he can.
            Abby [Abigail E. Grant Burr] is healthy – is generally a very good & obedient little girl – as you always wish to know what she says & I often think when she makes remarks that I will recollect them & tell you, but <all have> none come to mind now except these – when her Pa was putting out pea brush last summer she said Papa was planting trees – we last summer asked her who made the stars. she says why they come right out from the sky. once as the clouds were passing over the <sk> moon she says, “Mama see the moon run.” She uses such words as she hears us, as perhaps, probably, commenced, indeed &c. — We rec’d [received] the barrel about the middle of Oct. the things are all valuable & highly useful & we feel very grateful for them – the dried fruit we highly prize – have used the currants in the little <dipper> cup. Abby said they were very nice & we agree with her. Want Sister Nancy to receive as many thanks for those she sent as there are number of currants. the hankerchiefs & gloves I think a great deal of. there were two pair of india rubber,: one pr. [pair] had fur around them, were they yours or Martha’s. I am glad of them — & all the other things too —   You need not worry to get me any more stockings.
Nov. 4. I did not get time to finish this to send by to days mail am sorry – baby is in my lap, Abby is playing around the room & Daniel has gone to preparatory lecture. this forenoon I made six pumpkin pies & by the way we have a very good supply of pumpkins – have also an abundance of cabbage, beets, turnips & onions & a few beans shall probably be obliged to buy some potatoes before Spring have some corn & expect to have enough soon for our winter’s use — I have six gallons of cucumbers salted — the fore part of July got 5 hens – one died in about two weeks they have found their own living & laid 18 dozen eggs, but I suppose this winter will tell a different story – have 8 doz [dozen] in salt, sold 2 dozen Last summer we bought some berries – dried 6 or 8 quarts of blackberries – some while I think of say that I will have quite a curiosity to know what kind of dried fruit that is that was in a small bag in the large bag of apples – it has the appearance of sweet apples dried 2 & chopped 1. — From the first of Oct. last year to the same time this year we used about 50 lbs. sugar & 7 or 8 gallons molasses. so you see we had quite a supply, though we should have used more if it had been convenient to have always just as much as we would like.
Nov. 5 Sab. [Sabbath] P. M. – babe is 5 weeks old this P. M. – feel that we have got reason for thankfulness that I am so well & smart as well as for other mercies that we are constantly receiving — There has been considerable sickness here this fall but not much that has proved fatal — in the summer the<re> summer complaint prevailed considerably among children & there were several deaths — I learn by your last letter (wh. [which] we rec’d five days after my confinement) & also from Abigail [Abigail Cowles Grant] that there are cases of dysentery around you & some of them fatal — think of you a great deal – dread to hear from there, but still I wish to — we cannot too much feel the importance of being at any time prepared to die — O that we all might make that our chief concern — heard a few days since of the severe sickness of Mother Grant [Elizabeth Phelps Grant] – feel anxious about her – hope she may be spared to us yet — I did intend to write this time to Erastus & Nancy but am so anxious to have this letter on its way to you that I will not this time — do believe I shall before long, hope they will receive my love & many thanks for the beautiful currants — kiss the baby for me & Abby — love to all relatives & friends — Mrs. Pendleton
            Abigail says she hopes Mary will spend some time with them this winter. I should be glad if you could but dont suppose you can. O dear.
                                                                        Yours very aff. [affectionately] Caroline.
                                                                        [Caroline Burr Grant]
Mrs. Root returned two or three weeks since with her children & Mother — her Father expects to come in the Spring. I intend to go there while the plastering is being done & drying.

Nov. 6,            Dear Sister Mary [Mary Burr Hill]
            I am ver<r>y sorry I cannot pay you what I owe you now I know you ought to have it I shall make every effort to get it soon as possible think without doubt I shall be able to pay part in the spring if not the whole It appears to me I had not better make out a mortgage at present for it will be considerable expense and the probability is that you will get your pay in the spring and you are safe any how whether I live or not. But if I find that I am not likely to pay I will have the security attended to or if you really think it best I will attend to it at any time
                                                                        Your affectionate brother D. [Daniel] Grant

[Addressed to]                                                            Mr Ebenezer Burr
                                                                        Norfolk
                                                                        Litchfield County
                                                                        Connecticut

                                                                        Flemington, [New Jersey] Nov. 1, 1849.
Dear all of you
            Before sending my last Mother could not tell me whether to send for yarn. She has now decided & I thought that the sooner you knew the better. She would like two lbs. of the white – wishes it three threaded, soft wool & not much coarser than this sample – would prefer it not any coarser — She would like 1 lb. of the colored – no finer than the sample & no lighter color – is not particular whether black or blue mixed – but wishes it dark – what I gave her washed lighter than this. Mother thinks that 1.$ per lb. was very reasonable (& cheap I believe) for the other & expects to give more for the white.
Beside my regular weeks mending – have mended the night cap I took home – a pair of drawers that were washed there – the chemise I brought from there – my trunk cover (quite a job of it) & two bits of old carpet. Mother & sisters are doing considerable sewing for me. Miss Dorotha Exton dined & spent the afternoon & evening with us yesterday — She set up some socks for William out of the yarn you gave me — My health continues good William is almost worn out with hard work – he has some chores in which Ralph could be of considerable assistance – such as feeding the beeves – milking a kicking heifer &c. However think the hurry will be over in two weeks – perhaps in less time — When orders for lead pots come they must execute them quickly or be in danger of loosing the custom[er]. Immediately on getting home I got Catharine a calico dress at 10 cts. [cents] yard – which softened her for a while — The effect is beginning to wear off – but I do not at all mind her occasional ill humor – would not like to attempt a change of help — Have given up the boy’s room to her charge — The flannel is not thought right — & I intend it home excepting shawls — Why is not borax as good as white oak bark? I think it would be pleasanter & mother says it would be better — I want to hear about little Abby [Abigail E. Grant Burr]– tell when Eddy [Edward Grant] takes the first step & how Nancy succeeds with Mary — Do not fail to apologise for my not calling at Uncle Norton’s & Mr. Eldridge’s. All are anxious that I do not exert myself too much & I do not. Am glad Ma had been no sicker before the last – fear she has been since – please be careful in diet &c. William thinks that a porter would not carry a trunk so far as from depot to the “Merchant’s” – thinks perhaps the bill at the Merchant’s will be only a dollar – they did not charge him but a dollar a piece for us – though they charged me alone 1 ¼ doll. William is so very fond of the maple sugar I wish Ralph would bring him three or four cakes more if you can spare them. I want to hear from you all — Kiss the children a thousand times – how plainly I see little Eddy reaching up his hands to be taken –
                                                                        Affectionately your daughter & sister
                                                                        Mary B. Hill

It is now between 8 & 9 in the evening — William has been writing his books until this moment & feels too tired to write in this – besides he has to take this to post tonight & wishes to be off & back again & to bed — So you will please excuse him this once. He s[ends?] love with myself.

Flemington, [New Jersey.] March 29, 1855.
My dear mother & sister
            I thought of writing you last week but William went to Philadelphia & I concluded to wait until he should come home & measure the land. The state of the ground has been such (from frost &c.) that he thought it inconvenient to set stake much before this. The girls have gone to New York to buy furniture for Kate. Mr. Anderson by the advice of his mother in law sold the most of his furniture soon after his wife’s death. They are to <keep> live this year near the Presbyterian church 2 doors this side of where aunt Hetty used to live I believe Mr. A. [Anderson] thinks of building this summer just above fathers two or three or four rods above I suppose which will make it very pleasant for them all. Hetty borrowed my brocha shawl for her trip it not being so much faded as her own. The children are fat & hearty. Laura very active & full of mischief.
            I bought this pin of a pedlar for 31 cts. Mrs. Joseph Reading was in here at the time & admired it said she thought it looked like a higher priced pin.
            I expect to be confined the latter part of October. William has proposed my going home this spring (that is if I will go without him) but I think that a visit so soon again would probably give you more trouble than pleasure & I have very little idea of going. My girl is to make a visit to New York in May.
            My health I expect is about the same as when at home last fall. I have many bad feelings, of course – suppose if Carrie [Caroline Burr Grant] were here she would consider me about the same as last Spring. Mary continues to assist in care of children much more than Ann did & I put it upon her. Mother has been in since I began this & sent much love to you.
            I hope that you are not overwhelmed with care & trouble & that you receive support from above.
            Sammy [Samuel B. Hill] knows the most of his letters both large & small.   When I am reading he often comes & asks to say his letters & in this way has leaned them.
                                                                        Yours affectionately
                                                                                    Mary B Hill [Mary Burr Hill]

We have had a cold dry March and the winter grain is suffering much – The prospect for a large crop about here is not good – We are quite busy now in shop – making tile and ware – rec’d [received] an order the other day for 5.000 lead pots –
On the 27 of March bought a piece of land at the lower corner of land to make our line straight and out to the R Road [Railroad], so that now the R Road [Railroad] is the boundary in a straight line for half the length of the farm with the exception of about 2 chains a little square of land belonging to Asha Hill which I hope to obtain some day and make the line complete –
I measured the land for M yesterday and will have the deeds made out as soon as I can get them done – The piece contains about 10 acres –

Cheese now retails here at 16 cts per lb – and not very plenty at that – How do potatoes sell with you – here they are worth 237 ½ per bu – We have been getting up a car load of man [manure] 100 bu to try on potatoe crop and a little to top dress land (grass) – Cost about 15 cts. per bushel, about the same as lime, Do not know whether it will do as much good in small quantities as lime but want to give it a trial

Perhaps Super Phosphate of Lime would improve your pastures – it seems as if they ought to be renovated – now cheese is so high priced WB Hill
Wrote as far as above and went to breakfast taking care of myself and Laura [Laura Hill] who always meets one at table with a perfect string of Papa’s and no one else answers half as well as Papa – Poor little thing if she knew how often her Father wishes her in bed or somewhere else would she be so eager for a seat on his knee Must away to office and work with love to all I am yours as ever
William Hill

Dear Sister [Mary Burr Hill]
            <Y> I did not intend that so many weeks should pass away – before you rec’d [received] a few lines from me, but our little babe makes such an ado if most of one’s time is not devoted to her little self that I find it difficult to get time for other than household duties – She is now in my arms & has just been casting up her bright eyes & laughing me in the face – we can hardly determine their color for they seem to be neither blue black or grey – we expect however they will be black – her hair is dark, her mouth pretty, her forehead good & she is getting quite white – she has been called a puny little thing – had a very ill turn about two weeks ago but since her recovery from it has appeared better & grown more than before
            My health is good – my back is not as strong as before my sickness otherwise I have felt well ever since – have had a good appetite all the time
At the time of her birth expect I got along remarkably well – it was not nearly so bad as I anticipated – did not suffer more than I have many times before have since been afflicted some with sore nipples for a time they were quite bad I thought, but suppose they were not nearly as aggravating as many are. I kept them moist with whiskey loaf sugar & borax – think that prevented them from getting very bad – heard that the oil of hickory nuts was good – as we could find none of them procured some English walnuts & extracted the oil (by heating the tongs & compressing the meat between them) applied it – either that or the former application was quite healing, or the time had come for them to get well. *
*The oil extracted from Butternut meat is also very healing
            I have been a little troubled with caked breasts. I will mention some remedies & when you know any one similarly afflicted you can communicate the information. A brown paper greased laid upon the breast & a flat iron <as> warm as warm as can be borne rubbed upon it until the cake is softened, that was efficacious in my case – Cabbage leaves wilted & spread with lard or butter & applied are good.
            A poultice made of hot brandy or whiskey, (brandy preferable) & Indian meal is said to have done wonders – Also a poultice of blue flag root, the root simmered in milk, the root is poisonous so that caution is necessary to prevent the child from getting poisoned – some use scorched [tow?] & camphor, but camphor dries the milk            . Sweating the breast is said to be good this can be done by covering it over with a small wooden bowl wh. [which] has been immersed in boiling water – and last a piece of new calico applied for sometime is said to be good by those who have tried it.

Daniel has been looking over my letter & says he thinks I have lost my faculty for letter writing, but you know Mary that I never had any to lose.

[Addressed to]                                    Mrs. Elizabeth Grant
                                                Care of Dea. [Deacon] Elijah Grant
                                                Colebrook
                                                Connecticut
                                                Oct. 30
My dear Mother,
            It is always my first impulse upon receiving a letter from home, to sit immediately down and answer it and it is that feeling which induces me to answer yours, which came to hand yesterday so soon. We were very glad to hear from you, especially to learn that all were well. We have been expecting to hear from you through Mr Griswold, but had nearly despaired of this coming this fall before the receipt of your letter. He has not yet arrived but perhaps he will before I finish this letter. I am very sorry for his misfortunes but hope he will soon be in a more prosperous condition.
            You expressed some anxiety about my health, and speak as if you supposed I was still afflicted with sore breasts. This is not the case. I was troubled twice in the fall and early part of winter with sore
hands, but drinking the sarsaparilla syrup cured them in both cases and they have not troubled me since until the past week they have been a little sore. About a week after my confinement my breasts began to swell, we tried the usual remedies for swelled breasts in vain, they continued to swell, but were not very painful unless I moved my arms, and in less than three weeks they broke three times. Since then they have never troubled me but once, and then it was a cold which was removed by sweating. I have much reason to be grateful that I got through with them with so little pain. I was quite out of health for two or three months after my confinement, had a diareah which reduced me a good deal and was bought on by the least excercise, but I have got entirely over that, and for the lat two months have been as well as any body need to be, and have grown quite fleshy. I have done my work alone 8 or 9 weeks this summer and do not now wish for a girl. I find a good deal of excercise agrees with me. Mr Grant has been in very good health the most of the summer, but has for some past days been severely afflicted with the toothache. He went this morning to attend court in New Philadelphia, and Elizabeth and I are to spend the night alone. Elizabeth is very healthy and good natured. She is rather small featured but very fat, and I think resembles Jane very much. It is very gratifying to me that she does. She lies upon the floor a great deal, but sleeps very little indeed. We do not use a cradle let her wear caps, or give her paregoric; three things which astonish the people here very much. I put her in a pail or tub of water every day if I have the time, if not I wash her thoroughly all over. She likes either method of washing, but prefers going in a tub of water. I wish you could see her. I am afraid she will not be so good when she is older, but I intend to try to make a good girl of her.
            We recieved a letter from Mary about the first of Sept which had been three or four weeks on the way, which was the first time we had heard from her since April. She then wrote from Boston and said she would send us a paper and let us know where to direct a letter. I am glad she is to remain with you another winter.
            We had a letter from Elizabeth about two months ago. I wish they would visit us this fall but do not know that we have much reason to expect them. Mr. Grant has thought a little of taking us to see them, but has concluded not to go. He is very busy and finds but little time for visiting. He does not thinking of going east next summer, if I should go, Mrs Whiting will accompany me and a friend of ours, Miss Fish, from Mass. [Massachusetts] She has been in Mrs Hopkins school 3 or 4 years, as teacher. It is of course entirely uncertain about my going.
            I suppose you know that Mrs Whiting has a boy near 7 weeks old she is in very good health, and also the Dr. He is now very busy indeed although it is a time of general health here His cases are mostly in the country. Mr & Mrs Hopkins are here now and perhaps will remain, it is still uncertain. We are very much in want of a clergyman.
            Wed 31st. I was very much pleased by Marcus’ generosity. Tell him and Martha that we will take the will for the deed and feel as grateful to them for the things which they intended to send as if they really came. I talk to Elizabeth a great deal about her little uncles and aunts, and she seems to like to hear it very much indeed. She has now gone to sleep in my arms while I am writing. You mention the princes pine, I have used it a considerable, but never saw that it was of any use. I have never seen but one or two sprigs of it here. I think the syrup of sarsaparilla is the best thing I have ever tried, and would recommend to all who are troubled with scrofulae.
I do not know how it would affect Maria P. but presume it would not hurt her and it is a very agreeable medicine to the taste.
            I wish cousin Elizabeth would not wait for me to write to her, tell her when she has as many cares as I have that I will excuse her if she does not write often, but now I cannot. Is she to be married this fall? I was in hopes if I went home next summer that she would return with me. Give my love to them. There are so many things which I wish to write that I could fill several sheets but I must let them go hoping to see you sometime and communicate in an easier way. Mr Grants business is good. The crops are mostly small in consequence of drought. Wheat crop was about as good as usual, Potatoe crop very small. Sugar is 15 cents a pound in consequence of the Ohio being so low. Flour is $8, a barrel. Times are hard, but I am blessed with an excellent appetite and relish plain food.
            I want to know Mary’s plans for the winter but do not know where to write to her. Give a great deal of love to her & all of the rest of the family. If you see any of my fathers family give my love to them and tell father and mother I wish they could see how much work I have done today, and with how little fatigue. I wish you would try to persuade Mr Hubbell and Henrietta to come and see us. I think they might come.
            Mr Grant has not come home and I am afraid baby & I will have to stay alone another night, as it is now 8 o’clock. He may wish to write on to send some message, so I will not write any more until he comes.
            Nov 2nd Mr Griswold arrived yesterday with his family. I intend to call upon them this eve. and Mr Grant will finish the letter after we have seen them. Write as often as you find time and you will add much to the happiness of your affectionate daughter
                                                                                                            Susan B Grant. [Susan Boyd Grant]
Sat. morning Nov. 3. I could add little to what Susan has written, if I were disposed, for want of room. I returned from N Phila [North Philadelphia] Thursday Eve. Col. Griswold’s family are all in excellent health. Our books and G. Hall Jrs M.SS. came in good condition. Col. G’s [Griswold] other goods are yet behind and no word has come respecting them which makes him feel somewhat uneasy. A letter was to be sent on their being forwarded from Albany, but none has come.
            It is an exceedingly expensive time to support a family here, and while provisions are scare and dear, money is scare also, and collections difficult. Business pretty good.
                                                                                                            E. P. G. [Elijah Phelps Grant]
Sat. morning Nov. 3 (continued from 4th page.) Since writing a little on the last page of this sheet, I have got some red ink and concluded to add something further. One thing I wish to say is, that our Post Master never takes the wrapper off from newspapers when they are marked paid on the outside, thus “Paid 1 ½”
If therefore you wish to write to write a little in a newspaper, if you will pay the postage there is I think no danger of its being discovered. Our Post Master is one of the best natured men in the world and strictly honest, not withstanding his zeal as a Van Buren man.
            He has never yet discovered any writing in newspapers sent to me, or if he has, has never said any thing about it, though Asabel Rice once sent me a paper on which a great deal was written. I mention this that you may avail yourself of it, if disposed, to communicate occasionally some circumstance when you have no time to write a letter.
            Canton [Ohio] has been all the season remarkably healthy. Out of a population of about 2,000 there have been but two deaths (besides infants) since February last. One of these was an old lady who died of consumption after several years sickness; the other was a young man aged 16 who died of a fever. But all around us, and indeed throughout this western country generally it has been sickly
                                                Your affe [affectionate] son                        E P Grant

[Addressed to]                                                            Mrs. Elizabeth Grant
                                                                        Millbrook
                                                                        Litchfield Co.
                                                                        Conn. [Connecticut]

[Stamped on upper left corner of address leaf]            WILKINS
                                                                                    PA
[Written in stamped area]                                                May 19th

                                                                        East Liberty [Pennsylvania] May 17: 1839
Dear Mother,
            We received yours of the 5th inst. yesterday. In regard to visiting New England we must be guided, as we ought in everything else, by the indications of providence. Should an eligible opening for a location be presented it would seem duty to embrace it. But should nothing of this kind take place within six, or eight weeks we will if health continues come and see you. The only question in my mind is in regard to duty. Inclination very strongly tends to New England. I have then another dear mother besides yourself whom I have not seen for 16 years and whom I wish to see before she dies, besides brother and a sister. No doubt, however, that our desire to see our friends, like any other natural desire, cannot always consistently with duty be indulged, and needs to be moderated, or restrained according to the circumstances in which providence may place us. We shall I think know in 2 or 3 weeks whether it will be consistent for us to visit you this season and if anything should occur to prevent we will let you know. In the mean time we must endeavor to have our minds prepared for whatever event may be appointed for us.
                                                                        Your affectionate Son
                                                                        Wm. [William] Burton

Dear Mother,
            I have not time to say much. Little M. E. [Mary Elizabeth Burton Shurtleff] is less troublesome than when I wrote you, before. M. is nursing her. She says she thinks we must put her in the letter and send her on that our friends may see what a pretty baby she is. M. & L. would write but their father wishes to put the letter in the office, as he goes to school.
            M. E. [Mary Elizabeth] is almost 5 months old. Her eyes are still a little untrue, but I hope she will outgrow it
            I received a letter from brother [P.?] and another from brother J. since within a few days. I am glad to hear from you all, but wish <more?> still more to see you. Little E. Grant is better. Sister Susan expects to start for Ct [Connecticut] about the first of June.
            I expect Martha & Marcus are so much grown that I should hardly know them, but I want to see you all, much.
                                                                        In haste
                                                                        E. G. Burton [Elizabeth Grant Burton]
Love to all.