Auburn May 5^th 1847
My dear Augustus
The bright sunshine this morning
seems more spring like than any day we have
had for a long time – We have a cold back
ward Spring – have been able to do very little
work in the garden so far – Our house is still
in the hands of the carpenters masons and
painters – of course is very comfortless for the
occupants – it will be as late as the first of
June certainly before their labours are completed –
the house will be much more spacious but
we of course have been obliged to sacrifice
some conveniences to obtain the room –
Fredrick returned to college last Saturday
I have a letter to day announcing his safe
arrival – Clarence leaves us next week
when the family will be diminished to three
we can hardly count your father he is absent
so much of the time – He came home from
New York two weeks ago – spent two days at
home and then went to Lyons for a week –
at home four days and last night went
again to New York to be absent another

week– his business being chiefly out of the county
he is only a visitor at home – Grandpa and
Willie went to Seneca Falls last Friday and remained
until Monday evening at Mr Sacketts – Willie
came home so much in the spirit of returning
and becoming a farmer that we have had much
talk in persuading ^him^ that he is not old enough to
leave home – Mr Sackett jestingly offered to employ
him and pay him so much a month with
the privilege of riding the pony every day
this seemed so attractive the he could not under–
stand why we would not give our consent
to the arrangement – Fredrick went to Canan
-daigua and made a visit during his vacation
Aunty and Frances are to spend the month of
June with us – Frances was baptized last Sunday
at Church – she has been thinking of it some
time – I am very glad that she felt it her duty
to obey the injunction of our Savior- “Believe
and be baptized” —
Auburn is increasing the number of her buildings
for the first time in many years there seems
to be a revival of enterprise with the means
of executing –

James Hills goes in August to Yale College – We have
heard nothing from George in a long time but
suppose he still in College – Horace is married and
still at Detroit – I suppose there is a young
society in Auburn but when Frances is not here
I know little about it – Catherine Miller is with
Aunt Clara she remains until the first of
June when having completed her term of
instruction in music she will return home
She is a pleasant, good, girl we shall miss
her very much – William Henry left us
to go to his home about two weeks ago –
Our Church have called Mr Ayrault of Geneseo
he has been preaching for us two months at
the suggestion of the Bishop but has not yet
given the vestry a positive answer in relation
to staying – Fanny and Willie enjoy every
day of sh sunshine in the garden – Aunt
Clara is well and joins us all in love to you
A Dieu – your affectionate
Mother–