Sunday 18th
My Dear Henry —- I yesterday recieved your letter from Providence
which was nearly one week on the road . it was very interesting and
after reading it to Grandma she advised me not to destroy any of your
letters but keep them for the children to read besides “we do not
know what may happen.” - dear old lady she does not know how carefully
I have always treasured up your letters or she would not have thought
the caution necessary. It is a clear cold day. Clary and Henrietta
have gone to Church. Henrietta talks of going home tomorrow. I believe
there were never two people more alike than she and Mary Ann Kellogg, in taste, in manners and in principle, or rather want of
principle. but Henrietta is far inferior to Mary Ann in beauty
for I did sometimes think Mary ann handsome but I could
never look on Henrietta in that light. Like Mary ann too she likes
flirting but cannot endure the idea of getting married. “Oh dreadful”
said she the other morning as I was nursing little Fred “what a trouble
babies are.” Perhaps she is not blameable for the idea but delicacy
should have forbidden the expression. Mrs Warren left here Friday
afternoon, is to meet her husband at Syracuse. Lazette spent the
afternoon here - went home in the evening quite ill as she then thought
the effects of eating unripe grapes. Yesterday morning Emery came down &
said she was very sick that the Dr had been there part of the night.
I went up as soon as I could found her somewhat more comfortable
but had suffered a violent attack of the Cholera Morbus.This morning
I sent up. she was still better. I shall go up again after tea and
read her your last letter. I saw Dr. Humphrey, there and obtained
from him a recipe for the medicine which always benefitted Augus–
tus when he had the summer complaint. I commenced to day
administering it to Frederick can hardly judge yet of its efficacy.
Grandma feels convinced that I must by this time feel satisfied after
all the trouble I have had at Romulus that home is the best place

for children and I often while there thought nothing would again induce
one to leave home. he has slept almost two hours to day and seems
so much refreshed—a thing he never did when away from his cradle.
Tuesday night. Last night Morgan brought over your last letter
written at Quincy. you say nothing about coming home but
I conclude do not purpose to go on to Baltimore. I heard
to day that George Throop was expected home next week. I am
glad to hear that Cornelia intends returning with you but shall
hardly dare believe she will actually come until you arrive.
Sunday evening I went up accompanied by Augustus to see
Lazette. found her sitting up—much better. Worden came in
and made some enquiries about your being at Providence. he
had learned you was there at the post office by the post mark
of your letter. I was very ignorant about your business. I wish
he would not talk to me at all I should be quite satisfied if he would
allow me to come to the house and would gladly dispense with any
other attention. He was or appeared to be very much alarmed about
the small pox. I do not know as I told you that there was a
case of small pox in Lumber street while we were at Romulus.
The disease was communicated to a woman by Dr Pitney’s visiting
her without changing his dress after he had been with a child
somewhere on the canal ill with the small pox. She was removed
to black Harry’s dwelling as not other person would recieve her.
On Sunday we heard of four more cases all persons who were
living in the house with the woman at the time she was taken.
Monday morning they were all removed from the village and
to day we have heard of four or five more cases. I sent
this morning for Dr Humphreys to come and vaccinate Fred
he came but said he had no good vaccine but should have some
on Friday when he will come again. Frederick appears to
be quite well but is very peevish and restless. I do not know
what ails the little fellow he does not appear diseased but is very weak.

Sunday evening when I came home I found Blanchard and Goodwin here
to see Henrietta. Blanchard has been every night but one since she
came. Saturday morning they rode out to Skaneateles. Henrietta went
home Monday noon, very much pleased with Goodwin. he called the
Morning she left. Clary called yesterday afternoon to see Lazette. she
continued better and thought of going to Miss Hoffman’s wedding in the
evening. Last evening Serene, Jane Dill, Mrs Dill and Amanda Worden
called. Sarah Hulbert called in the afternoon, report says she - is to
be married to Howe next week. Hugh was here last night. Clary
says this morning that he is a fool. This afternoon Mrs Fosgate
Mrs Hamilton and Mrs Richardson took tea with us. They have
now all gone home and Clay is over to see Serene. I have read
stories to Augustus until he has gone to sleep. I am now going down to get
Fred and then to sleep myself. good night dear one.
Wednesday night — Lazette has just gone home she spent
the afternoo[ n w ] ith us. the calomel she has taken has
roduced a very sore mouth - she can hardly eat an[ y ]
thing. This evening Debby and her mother Wood called
here Mrs Wood is a very pleasant woman—quite
unlike any of her children that I have seen - I suppose
they which the disagreeable from thier father.
Thursday morning — I wrote last evening with Frederick in my arms
and as he insisted upon having pen ink and paper I could
write only a few lines. This morning I sent up to Lazette she
was more unwell thinks she took some cold last evening.
We hear of two more cases of small pox one three or four doors
above Lazette’s and one on the upper part of Grover street
I feel considerably alarmed about it as it does not appear
to be a decided opinion that vaccination is always
a preventative. Beardsley recieved a letter from Pa
Monday evening he was to leave Albany on Sunday.
Your own Frances.

Frances A. Seward
9 Sept. 1831