Wednesday mor
Tuesday morning, Oct 29^th
My dearest sister,
I snatch a few moments before
breakfast to commence a letter which it may take some
days to complete. The dreadful intelligence we receive
from Westfield is a heavy weight upon
my spirits – A letter written by Mr Patchin announces
that Marcia, last Friday morning was found in her
room at seven o'clock in a fit of apoplexy – physicians
from Westfield and the neighboring towns were called
but gave no hope of her recovery – Jennings had not
returned from Auburn – he received the intelligence
at Fredonia and when Mr Patchin wrote had
just reached Westfield. Poor Jennings how he must
suffer – Marcia when here was in better health and
had more flesh than at any time since her residence
at Westfield – she said her journeying this summer
had quite restored her– What an unexpected summons
It was supposed she had been in the fit some hours when
found – Death seems approaching us in our own house
Nicholas has had a relapse – his fever has returned
with more violence and worse symptoms – I believe the
Dr’s now consider it Typhus – We called Dr Williams as
counsel on Sunday – he gives us very little encouragement.

Poor Harriet is almost worn out with care and watching
I think Nicholas more rational this morning –
York has been away nearly a fortnight which has
considerably increased my cares as we so frequently
have company to dinner and I have had no one but
Ellen to depend upon. York has returned this
morning but is sick with rheumatism — I received your
letter the same day that I sent my last – We all enjoyed
it very much – I hope you are tolerably well this
fine weather – Henry and I went last Friday to Niska-
una and made a visit at the other settlement
or “family” as they term it – how quiet and delightful
it was there – it seemed a haven of rest – The friends
gave us a cordial welcome and excellent dinner –
I think Henry shook hands with almost every member
of the “family” which we visited. Wednesday morning
the newspaper this morning brings intelligence of Marcia’s
death – you will probably see it before you
get this letter – Nicholas continues about
the same the only favorable symptom is that
he is no worse. Last night the house was filled
with the “Unionists” that is people from the different
wards in the city who seem to be marching about
with music and banner, who came here to drink
Champaine and cover the carpet with mud
tobacco spittle and lamp oil (from their torches)
O the beauties of democracy —

I believe you would be crazy to see the management
of my kitchen – but you must see it before you can
have any adequate idea of its intolerable character —
Company to dinner almost every day – York is home again
and he is the very slowest mortal that I have ever
seen in the capacity of waiter – as an evidence
it is now one oclock and the coffee cups are not
yet washed – – Mrs Rhodes sent twice
for me last week to make a social visit I
declined going but Henry when the time came was so un-
willing to go alone that I went with him – we met
Mr & Mrs Spencer - Kip- Campbell, and Mrs Corning
about 12 in all, had a supper of oysters at 1/2 past
nine and came home before ten. This was quite comfortable
for Albany. Mrs Spencer goes to New York this week
she is very busily engaged in refinishing her house
the winter – I do not get any time to go and see
dear Mrs Horner. Dear dear sis how I do wish
you were here – I am so destitute of sympathy —
Peter Miller is determined to have you come before
New Years – I wish you could —I see very little
of Henry or Blatchford except at my meals – I feel more at home
than I did last winter as I see none but familiar faces about
the house – Mrs Benedict takes good care of William and loves him
exceedingly. How I do wish you could see him – his eyes are decidedly
grey like his Grandpa’s – I left him 7 hours the day I went to visit the Shakers
he never cried at all but took three bottles full of milk – he continues
to jump boisterously, and talks so loud we can hear him up stairs
I have a franklin in the nursery but it is so cold a room

I fear I shall be obliged to exchange it for a close stove. –Mrs Rathbone
is ill – has lost an infant – Did you see Mrs Taylor wife of the
cashier last winter - she spoke of you but I had forgotten
whether you saw her – I was pleased with her – her manners
are much like a french lady but are becoming and do
not seem like affectation in her.
When shall I have time to sit down and write you a letter with
collected thoughts a mind not distracted with cares
I feel that my letters are poor return for yours, but
you will not say so – ever your own sister —

[right Margin] Milton Sherwood

x

John Sherwood

Birth: 1793-09-16 Death: 1871-04-16

dined with us Monday – he seemed to enjoy himself
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua