Westfield Saturday Aug. 19^th
My dear Sister,
I am very weary of my prolonged
stay here I do not seem much nearer home
now than I was a week ago. Henry says now he
cannot get ready to go until the middle of next
week the only reason that I have to think we
shall actually get away at that time is that
he must go to Philadelphia in the course of
a few weeks and wishes to stop awhile at
Auburn. Last Monday we took a lumber wagon
and went on an exploring expedition intending to
return Tuesday evening to be in readiness to meet
the Bishop – the roads were horrible and the
country not interesting. Monday we only got
19 14 miles – we stayed all night at Mr
Walkers. I had the sick headache and found the
house so dirty that I did not stay very willingly
but there was no tavern near. Mr Walker is a
step brother of the Miss Wests who live here, one of the
sisters was there. He is a very agreeable Irishman
his wife dull enough, and the child so filthy
that I could not touch it. They were all very
kind and attentive to us and are what Lewis
(who went with us) calls "good livers" – which signifies
that the table is loaded with all manner of
good things that are usually found in the
country. This is in the town of Mina.

Tuesday we rode through the towns of French Creek
and Clymer, two of the newest towns in the
county – as the roads bear testimony. I often thought
of you when we were going through the "pitch holes"
or riding on two wheels winding about among the
stumps – would you not have enjoyed it? – We
reached Harmony that night having accomplished
the astonishing journey of 19 miles – the whole
afternoon we rode in the rain – we were now
20 miles from home, it was 6 oclock, the tavern
was good, so much in favour of staying – but it
was Tuesday night, we expected by nine oclock
the next morning the Bishop Parson Smith & wife
and Mr & Mrs Peacock with as many episcopal
brethren as they chose to bring along to dinner.
It would be placing Jennings and Marcia in a
very unpleasant situation – what was to be done.
We were soon brought to a determination. Henry who been
unwell all the afternoon now manifested decided symp-
toms of cholera morbus – he continued sick through
the night and in the morning was so feeble that
he did not feel able to proceed – the recollection
of the state of affairs at home induced him to make
the attempt so after taking a cup of coffee and a
mouthful of toast we set off at 8 oclock – the roads
improved as we went east and we reached Mayville
at 11 oclock – rested there half an hour. Henry
revived. Lewis drove like Jehu and set us down
at the back gate just as the bell rung for 12.
Jenning & Marcia had concluded that some dreadful
accident had occured to detain us – the Bishop

Parson Smith, wife, and daughter had all been here, robed
themselves and gone to church at ½ past 10. Marcia
was roasting beef, pig, &c &c with the assistance
of Lauretta Brown and Jane. Mrs Thompson and
the boys were in church. Henry notwithstanding his fatigue
and illness dressed went to church and was confirmed
As the Bishop administered the sacrament the services
occupied 4 hours – we had a good dinner. Mr
Baldwin of course came along with Mr Hues – church
again at 4 oclock. I went in the afternoon – very
hot – good sermon – one woman confirmed – too late
in the morning – Parson Smith & wife came back
to tea. 3 youg young men also & Collins' singers and
musicians. Parson Smith wife and daughter went
home soon after tea feeling very jolly – the Bishop left in [ the ]
evening boat for Buffalo. Father Baldwin went home and
Mr Hues I think must have been glad of a respite, the
great magnitude of his responsibility altogether overcame
him he was pale and dispirited looking as if he had
passed through a severe illness. Just as I was thinking about
going to bed Marcia commenced sending invitations for a concert
another Collins and his wife came – in about an hour Danton [ , ]
Augustus and Lockwood succeeded in gathering about 30 people[ . ]
The Music was very good but I was too tired to enjoy it
a little before ten we crawled into bed happy to be released
from the toils of the day. The next day I was more sick
than I have been any day since I came – yesterday better –
Henry has now visited every town in the county, the Bishop has made
his visit and we are about ready to go home[ . ] I hope Henry
will finish his business as early as Tuesday or Wednesday
I am very impatient to set out – Marcia and Jennings have

gone to Gerry – Augustus and Lauretta to Fredonia. Tell Frances that when
we came home from Mina the first thing we saw was Locke with
a young rabbit in his arms which he said belonged to Frances
there is but one it is just the color of Fred's and I think
rather the prettiest little affair I ever beheld – it eats milk
out of a saucer and Clarence says he saw it eating clover
Jane brings it up in my room occasionally where it hops about
just like any rabbit – it must be 3 or 4 weeks old the
mother has kept it hid all this time – we shall try to bring
them all along when we come. I suppose you have not written
because you expected me home. I have not heard one word from
my dear boy. Jennings had a letter from his father yesterday
they are home at Florida – went to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia

[right Margin] New York

x

New York, NY

and home all in about 2 weeks. Piteous Mud –
all send love – your own sister – Frances
Mrs. Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Ontario County
WESTFIELD N.Y.
Aug 20
hAug 19