Auburn Sunday 16^th 1840
My dearest Sister I hope to be able to write you a letter
to day though the prospect is rather dull at present it
is now between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon – Maria has
just returned from Church and relieved me from the care
of Willie – dear little Willie – dont you think Snip
bit him yesterday on his leg – the skin was broken
but the wound did not bleed – it was sufficient however
to alarm me not a little in this season of dry days
Snip is an illnatured cur or he would not bite Willie
when he wants to play with him so much – he is as
perfectly fearless as ever and would still persivir in
pulling Snip's hair were he not withheld – We have had
a busy week – Last Tuesday Henrietta Ogden (Kasson)
came with her nephew a son of Williams to make us a
visit – She is on her return to Chicago having been on a
visit to her husband's mother at Delhi Delaware County
Wednesday Clara invited in some of Henrietta's old ac-
quantiances to tea – Mrs Pitney, Mary Morgan the Horners
and Richardsons – it rained as it has every day for
a fortnight but they all came and spent the evening
Between eight and nine o'clock who should walk into the
room but Mr and Mrs Sibley and Emily – I was
very much surprised to see them supposing they had
gone on with the delegation the day previous – They
stayed but a short time as they said because I
had company to entertain – it was rather malapropos

[right Margin] Did you read the list of 100 names in the Auburn Journal of those
who have renounced Van Buren

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Martin Van Buren

Birth: 1782-12-05 Death: 1862-07-24

– The Loco attempted to raise a
hickory pole Friday which broke and fell to the ground
is it not ominous —

one cannot introduce people on such occasions – Mrs Sibley stayed
however long enough to provoke my wrath by saying that
nothing ailed you except that you were nervous meaning
by nervous as people generally do that your disease
was altogether imaginary – she had sufficient sense not
to contend the point when she found I gave no encouragement
to the idea – how silly it is to allow oneself to be provoked
by such ignorant and unfeeling expressions of opinion
but I was provoked and after Mrs Sibley had gone
expressed my opinion pretty freely to my guests –
It is not to be expected that a woman fat strong
and healthy like Mrs Sibley can in any manner or
form comprehend the delicacy of an organisation like
yours – The next morning they called again to
complete their visit – they came about ten minutes before
one oclock and were hardly seated before they
were summoned by a messenger to return to the Hotel
to dinner as they were to leave at 2 oclock I saw
no more of them – Henrietta was taken sick Wednesday
evening and has been confined to her bed ever since
to day she is sitting up a little – she is very
anxious to be in Buffalo the 23^d to take the
“Illiniois" for Chicago which goes at that time – As she
cannot travel any more by stage she will not be
able to make you a visit as she proposed when
she came here – she is not in a situation to travel at
all I should be wild to be so far from home
as she is – Henrietta is very much the same she
was in looks, manners and habits seven years ago
she is much dissappointed that she cannot see you

her mother is in Chicago keeping house for Mr Ogden – I suppose
Worden has returned by this time I sent his cloak to William
Wood and trust he had no difficultly in finding it – The
result of the Convention you have heard or seen in the
Newspapers as I have – The enthusiasm seems increasing
for Harrison every day – What a meeting that was at
Utica – Morgan says the accounts are not exaggerated
I have no letter from Henry since the Convention –
Clara and I attended a party at Dr Pitney's Friday evening
there were about 50 people there – every thing was very
well arranged – Mary looked uncommonly well and
was agreeable to the guests but some how or another
it was rather dull – no music or dancing and
too many people to admit of rational conversation
the truth is I do not enjoy such things and always
think every time I go will be the last – The Conklings wer[ e ]
all there but did not speak – did you ever hear any thing
so ridiculous – Mrs Conkling insulted me by refusing
my proffered hand after that I did not think it worth
while to address the young Ladies so we passed each
other without seeing – I believe I will not expose them
unl[ e ] ss it be in self defence –I wonder Margaret has the
assurance to conduct in this way the recollection of
her impertinent conversation with me I should suppose would
restrain her – The Judge was as polite and friendly
as ever – I am glad you like the homeopathy system yet
I have less and less respect for the old school every time I am
brought in contact with them – We have had Dr Munson for
Henrietta – he is very much like the others – makes a great
affair of a trifle– I hope Dr Brigs will come along

Henry is still alone as was when he wrote last – I do not know when
Jennings will return but shall hold myself in readiness to go on
with him when he returns home – Henry says not a word about
coming home – Henrietta's coming prevented Clara's going to Romulus
last week as she intended – I shall try to persuade her to go
when Hernrietta leaves if I can but that will not prevent
my coming with Jennings should he return while she is away
Pa is not well to day –
I have suffered considerably with palpitation of the heart since
H— has been sick going up stairs often does not agree with me yet
I would have written yesterday but the whole afternoon was
consumed by calls – Elizabeth Choat is to be married tomorrow night
we all have invitations from Mr and Mrs Fitch to attend the
Ladies of our Church are wonderfully engaged in fitting up the
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN
AUG
17
N.Y.

[right Margin] parsonage for the reception of Mrs Croswell

x

Catharine Croswell

Birth: 1806 Death: 1878-10-13

– The Mr Wills

x

John Wills

Birth: 1796-11-20 Death: 1871-10-05

are about leaving Albany for Williamsport

x

Williamsport, PA

Pennsylvania

x

Pennsylvania, US

– Anna

Unknown

has bequeathed her canary bird to Freddy

x

Frederick Seward

Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25

– I should be tempted to
fill this sheet and enclose it in another but I must write to
Henry – Love to Frances

x

Frances Chesebro

Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24

– your own Sister –