Thursday Sept 29^th
My Dearest Henry I received your Sunday's letter
yesterday but felt too unwell to write any, a slight
cold sore throat etc, then this very dismal storm
and the melancholy story which your letter
contained with the uncertainty about Harriet
and her family all combined to produce
unusual depression of spirits. This mornings
sunshine was quite reviving and I hope all is well.
I have been very selfishly thankful that I
did not let Augustus accompany Nicholas &
Harriet. I return to hope again that your
next letter will communicate the intelligence
of their safe arrival. Yesterday morning the
ground was covered with snow one inch in
depth according to Mrs Deans . measurement
the day was wet cold and uncomfortable so that
I went but once to the table. Pa had a fire
made in the south room for his accommodation.
I fancy he does not find the office as comfortable
as while you were there. Harriet Weed told us
all about the party which she & Mrs Laller attended
at Ezekiel Williams the evening previous. You
probably remember hearing that Ezekiel was
married, he seems to have spared no expense
in introducing his wife to the public. His daughters.
were among the guests though I am told Mrs Watson
still wears mourning for her mother. Harriet says
that Mrs Williams appeared like a sensible unassuming
woman. This morning Dr Humphries called and
heard for the first time that Georgeben was one of
the passengers in the Gen. Porter, he seems anxious
to have George visit home. I consulted him about
a small protuberance which had made its appearance
on the first finger of my right hand, he given me
the consoling information that it is a tumour
on the tendon, it may continue in its present

state or it may increase in size so as to deprive me
of the use of my finger entirely in either case its
effect will be weakening, thus I am deprived of my
last source of employment, knitting.
Friday afternoon. Dear Henry I went to bed last night
quite disheartened and feeling much the want of your
presence to cheer me. I felt that I was every day
becoming more and more useless, the little use I made
of my finger in writing to you produced pain
which extended to my elbow. I fancied the time
was not far distant when I could neither read
and write knit or sew and without occupation I
am afraid I should be very unhappy. I know these
feelings are wrong believing as I do that our duty
requires no less a cheerful submission to these dis-
pensations, than an active exercise of the faculties
with which God has blessed us.
Mrs Dean went home this morning to remain two or three
days. Mrs Benedict supplies her place. Harriet
wonders that her father does not write to her, no
letter from you to day. We have received the
‘Knickerbocker’ and “Museum” one number each
I will send them to Beardsley as you desire.
Lazette has many sick and many desponding days
I have not seen her since Tuesday. Worden has
not yet made up his mind where he or they
will reside this winter. She had a letter
from him last week, I think it most probable
that she and Frances will remain where they are.
Miss Gardner . She moved to Auburn to get married. has returned and taken lodgings
at the new boarding house kept by Mr Kimberly
in Curtis’ buildings. I do not think it will
be wise for you to take Rouse and his family as
tenants I think you will find them troublesome
and I know they will not increase Harriet’s comfort[ . ]
Poor Harriet how anxious I am to hear that
she is safe at Westfield with her little family.

Sunday afternoon. Lazette spent the great part
of the day with us yesterday so I found no time
to write, no letter comes yet from you, it still
continues to rain every day, the wind blew
a hurricane all night, the “little lassie” as
Mary calls her was very restless and I had
altogether rather an uncomfortable night.
Mrs Benedict was made rather unhappy last
night by the arrival of her husband . in town
he has for some time been writing letters
alternately threatening and persuading her to
come to him, he is a worthless intemperate
fellow and she is undoubtedly wise in her
determination not to live with him again.
She wishes to avoid seeing him, I tell her
there is no fear of his seeking her here. Mrs
Dean returns Tuesday and will remain until
Debby requires her services. I see no one
but our own family and can tell you no village
news. Yesterday was Augustus birth day, so
little Fred purchased a little book for him
and his Ma gave him a very pretty picture
which Harriet found at Mr Ivisons but
unfortunately the day was so cold that no
ice cream could be obtained in the evening
a thing much calculated upon, however
he bore the disappointment very well and
has the promise of the ice cream as soon as
it can be obtained. Cornelia is crying
very very loud so that I must conclude
abruptly your own Frances

William H. Seward
Westfield
Chatauque County
AUBURN N.Y. Oct. 3,
Frances A Seward
Oct 3, 1836.