Florida June 14^th
My dear Henry, Another whole week has past since I wrote my last letter
henceforth I intend to write every day as you do. I did not know until
it was too late to write that the mail left here on Thursday. I can
hardly tell what I have been about for the last week I believe sewing
most of the time. Augustus has not been very well and has required more care
than usual. it has been so cold some of the time that I have I have been
obliged to keep a fire in the room. On Thursday we all went to Polydores
we had not got out of the village before we met them coming to see us
but they returned and we accompanied them. had a very pleasant visit
Augustus was very much pleased with Uncle Polydore's little baby

x

Mary Jayne

Birth: 1828 Death: 1905

. I wish
you could have seen him sit on the floor and hold it in his lap. he kissed
it a great many times. Lockey has a niece living with her and Jane
Woa Wood who is teaching school boards there. by the way I suppose you
know these Woods - sisters of Daniel - one of them Julian I think has been
married very suddenly since I have been here she was living at New York
with a milliner together with her sister Caroline. when the family at home
were very much surprised to hear that she was married and had gone
to Connecticut to reside. this is all that they are quite sure of yet do not
know what could be her motive in ^for^ getting married in this clandestine manner
her husbands name is Atwood. Daniel was there a few weeks ago but she
said nothing to him about it. Mr Wood and one of the girls have gone
down to try and ascertain what it all means. this will afford
a theme of conversation and speculation to the Florida people some
time. Dr Evan's people have not been out yet we expected them
all of last week. Last night Jennings and his whole family came
here in the stage they are on their way to Kingston. (your ma was
mistaken in supposing they were already there) they were very much
surprised to find me here. Marcia wanted to know what on earth
had sent me here to spend the summer. They go immediately to
keeping house. have sent all their goods and chattels on. I do not
know how long they stay here. they have not kept house since your
father and mother were in New York. Marcia and the children
were then at Bloomfield where they have remained ever since. The little
boy is quite well and about as much trouble as such little boys
usually are. Mr and Mrs Cummings returned in the same stage

so we shall have preaching today which I am very glad of as your people
consider it a crime of the first magnitude to stay at home preaching or
not. I must get ready for Church and conclude this in the afternoon.
Well we all went to Church this morning. Polydore and Lockey came down
so we were all here but you. I on account of having no beau walked with George
who was not in a very pleasant frame of mind because his Pa would not
let him attend Church at Warwick and he was dissapointed in seeing "gal" (as
Sackett would say). Mr Cummings gave us one half of a very good and very
long sermon and a prayer a long as the morning service. I had determined
not to sit down as I always like to see people conform to the usual practice
but he was too long for me. The congregation appeared to be principally
employed in looking at our pew I think by this time they must understand
pretty well the dimensions of the occupants. Marcia and I staid at home
this afternoon. Dr Austin came as usual immediately after dinner. On account
of Mrs Wickham's going to New York Anna Maria is obliged to remain with
her mother for some weeks. I have not seen her yet except at Church
I do not know whether to go there or not if I was sure they would not
insult me I think I would. Mrs Austin has been quite sick. some
kind of a fit was the commencement of her illness. Your Pa said he
thought I had better call and your Ma said I would undoubtedly meet
a very cordial reception. I shall consider upon it. do you think
Anna Maria would be much shocked. Polydore and Lockey went home
soon after dinner. Jennings accompanied them for the purpose of visiting a Sunday
School in that quarter. Jennings says you have not written to him in a long time
he showed me today his miniature taken by Spencer I think it an excellent
likeness. I do wish you would have one of the same kind taken. As for Gus
he has just gone with Charles to gather strawberries and I am afraid the snakes
will eat him up as I take it for granted that they are very plenty in the
meadow. he was so much afraid of his Uncles and Aunts that he could not
eat any breakfast this morning. . . The country looks delightfully. it is very
refreshing to me to look on a landscape the monotony of which is varied occasionally
by a mountain. I wish I could transplant some of them. would it not
be admirable to see one towering illegible ^above^ one of our beautiful lakes. but there
are no lakes here. after all I believe the beauties of Nature are equally
distributed. I have not been seriously homesick since I have been here and
and have looked only once in the Almanack to see what time in
August the Supreme Court sit at Utica. . Your first letter arrived
here on Wednesday just eight days from the time it was mailed this is
encouraging how shall I ever hear if you are sick. It is very warm and
I must write to Clary yet to night. Did Lazette get a letter at the
same time with your last. We were all disappointed that Pa did not

come and see us on his return. Saw a Mr Wesner of Goshen who met Pa
on the steamboat when he was n coming up the river. I shall expect
as many as two letters tomorrow. Your own Frances.

William H. Seward Esq
Auburn
Cayuga County
h Florida
June 15^th