New York — Monday 7^th Ap
My Dearest Sister – You will think there is no dependence to be
placed upon me for the future I am one day going to New
York the next going home and then staying quietly in Albany
in anticipation, while I am in reality continually doing
something exactly the reverse – I do think I have been more
than usually the sport of circumstances for the last fortnight
I am now as you percieve by the date of my letter in
New York where I had no idea of coming the day before
I left Albany – After my disappointment about going
home and feeling constantly a keen sense of the disappointment
I should occasion you, I felt very much as if I should
like to run away from Albany for a few days and
had partly determined to go to Troy and visit the Board-
mans when Mrs Cary proposed that I should accompany
her to this place – Henry kindly assented and Friday
morning I prepared in some haste to take the afternoon
boat — Maryann as usual washed and ironed some collars
for Augustus – I mended some things to leave and put
up some to take – all was in readiness by four oclock
and Mrs Cary & Walter, Augustus and myself departed —
Mr Cary and Henry Maryann and Fred were our escort
and left us on the boat at the ringing of the last
bell – The day was fine and we sat upon the upper
deck an hour, a long time after the spires and domes
of Albany had become invisible to our eyes – Cushman
came down with us and rendered us every attention in his
power – he inquired much about you and desired a
particular remembrance which I transmit at this time
fearing that I may forget it — The approach of night and
the cold sharp wind warned us to seek the cabin –
here we found matters much more comfortable than we
anticipated – we were on the Ohio the cabin is larger
and for once there was an unusually small number
of ladies and only three children – We had good berths
and an accommodating chambermaid all went smoothly

I went to bed at 8 oclock and did not get up again the next
morning until 6 although the boat came to the wharf
a little after four – Walter procured a carriage and we drove
to Mrs Sutherds in Broadway where the Brisbans are staying
we left Mrs Cary. Walter came with me as I was
a little uncertain about the number of the house
We drove to 150 Franklin street it proved to be the right
place an affirmative was returned to Walter enquiring
“Does Mr Seward live here”— the driver brought in the
trunk and band box and Walter went back to Mrs Sutherds
Marcia had just risen and gave me a warm welcome
Jennings soon returned from his morning walk and
added his greetings to those of Marcia and the boys —
I went to bed soon after breakfast feeling tired and
stupid from the loss of my usual sleep – I slept two
hours and continued in bed two hours more – Marcia
came and lay beside me she is not well and has
not been able to go out since I came — The family
consists of Jennings Marcia Augustus Clarence Mr Bacon
a clergyman engaged in the Sunday Schools, Matilda
and Jane a little coloured girl that Marcia has taken
with the intention of accomplishing that tedious hopeless
task ‘bringing her up’ — I pity any one whom I see engaged
in an undertaking of this kind – Saturday after dinner
I went with Jennings to see Mr and Mrs Sewards likenesses
they are taken by Mrs Spencer the same artist who took
Henry’s – they are both a good likenesses particularly
Mrs Sewards which I think is the better of the two —
We went from there to see Mrs Cary – found her with a
long face – Albert was sick, his wife could not speak
a word of English and Mrs Brisban the mother
very unhappy – very sure that her husband would
be excessively displeased with Albert for presuming to
take a wife without his knowledge or counsel. Mrs
Cary said she rather thought she should go home on
Monday although when we left Albany she thought
it possible that she might remain here three weeks
I told her she must not think of going until I did and

I wanted to stay at least three days – Jennings thinks some
of going to Albany this week and should he determine to do so
I shall wait for his company if he does not go I shall
leave here tomorrow or the next day – Yesterday I went
with Jennings to Dr Springs church heard a very good
but not a very great sermon – the day was unpleasant
the ladies all had on their pelisses or cloaks and winter
hats – looked very much as they do in Albany –
it rained in the afternoon I did not go out
any where – we had an interesting conversation on the
subject of religion– had a good Sunday – Jennings and
Marcia are entirely engrossed with the subject religious
affairs – They are very kind to me and do every thing
in their power to make my time pass agreeably
After tea Jennings went with me to see Mrs Cary – found
her with Mrs Brisban and a room full of ladies and gentlemen
gaily dressed – Mrs Cary was in better spirits than the day
before – thought she could stay a day or two longer
Walter goes back to day – I send this letter by him as
far as [ Al ] bany – It has rained all the morning – if
the walks [ are ] sufficiently dry I shall go this afternoon [ to ]
see old [hole] Phillips as I may return tomorrow – I ha[ ve ]
heard nothing from Mrs Cary to day and do not kn[ ow ]
whether she is going with Walter or not – Marcia still
continues unwell and Mr Bacon is sick – they are about
sending for a physician – I am afraid that I make
a deal of extra trouble but Marcia says she is only
sorry that she cannot make it more pleasant for me
I tell her any thing that seems like home is pleasant to me
after boarding all winter – Augustus and Clarence
are playing ball and shooting miniature guns for
amusement — I am sorry the weather is so unpleasant
as to confine us to the house — I received a few lines
from Henry this morning – all well – little Fred is very
cheerful Marcia and Jennings desire to be remembered to you
I direct this letter to Alba Auburn supposing you are still
there – kiss Frances for Aunty – your own sister Frances
My love to all at home I will write to Clary when I
return —

Mrs Alvah Worden
Care of Seward & Beardsley
Auburn —
ALBANY
APL
N.Y.