Auburn March 9th 1849
My dear Son,
I received your letter dated the
2^d of Feb – yesterday – I am thankful that you
still continue well – I have been sick the
last two weeks with the prevailing influenza
am well enough now to be about the house
again – It is two weeks to day since your
father went to Washington – I did not
think it best to go with him at this time
but shall be obliged to go some time this
Spring to make arrangements for next Winter —
You have heard of your fathers election to the
United States Senate which will keep him
in Washington every Winter for six years
to come – I shall be there some part of the
time – There is an immense gathering of people
at Washington now – attracted by the change
in the administration and the ceremony of
the Inauguration – Your father likes Gen. Taylor
very much – thinks him a good, wise, and
honest man – The new Cabinet is formed —
the Senate will remain in session about a
week longer – Your Father expects to go
tt to Charleston on business some time in
April and wishes me to accompany him —
I think if I am well I shall go as far as

as Washington. You do not say when you
will apply for a furlough I hope it will
be as early as the traveling will allow
you to come safely – We are all very impatient
to see you – Fred will be at home again
in about a month – Grandpa will be very
glad as he has no one to read for him
and his eyes are constantly failing – His
health has been very good all Winter – he
thinks you might come home as early
as May but I hardly think that will
be practicable – We had good sleighing from
Christmas until the 1^st of March but it
is all gone now and I doubt whether
we shall have any more though the weather
is yet cold – We had some of the
coldest weather in February that I ever
remember, the Thermometer was below zero
a number of days in succession –
Aunt Clara was much pleased to receive
your letter of the 15^th of Jan – She is well
and sends love – There has been a number
of parties here this winter I have been
to two or three with Grandpa and Aunt
Clara – Mrs Hills is preparing to move
they leave their house some time in April
I am sorry to have them go – we have lived
neighbors for more than 20 years without

any disagreement – They will spend this
Summer at New Haven and after that will
select some eastern town for a residence —
James is at home – he goes to New Haven again
this summer – James Horner has lost all his
property – he formed a partnership with an Englishman
by the name of J Watson who has ruined him
Mr Horner has gone with his family to N. York —
I regret this on his own account but more
especially on account of his Mother whom he has
supported for many years – The house the
Compstons occupy was owned by James – Mr Compston
and his sons are still at Corning though the
failure of James will throw them all out of
employment – Clarence returned with your
father when he came from Washington three
weeks ago – He spent most of his time while
in Orange County with Augustus who still preaches
in Union Hills – Grandpa Seward has a very
good housekeeper and Caroline Canfield stays
with him all the time – he had an ill turn
about the time Clarence left – All the
cousins were well and made many enquiries
about you – Uncle George continues to keep
house – Miss Parsons has become dissatisfied
with Florida and intends leaving when she
finds a place more to her mind – The
school is as formerly —

Clarence says that William has given up
going to California – A large company leave
here to go by land in a few weeks – I believe
one route is by Ft Smith – but I do not
know which they will take – I think further
north – Willie still continues to want a pony
very much – his face was scalded last Sunday
by running against a pitcher of hot chocolate
he persevered in keeping cold water upon it two
hours when the pain decreasing he went to sleep
his face is somewhat disfigured at present but
that will disappear – he was very fortunate in
not having his eyes injured – Fanny is well – she
occupies herself with her dolls and tea setts when
Willie is not in the house to engage her in some
more boisterous amusement – They are both calculating
much upon your visit – Aunty and Frances
are still at Flatbush – they think of coming home
the 1^st of April – Uncle Worden has been in
Albany all Winter – he is here now attending
court – will return again to Albany – Henry Chesebro
has also been here at court – he wishes to
go to N. York to come home with Frances
if he can leave the office –Let me know what
time you will probably leave for home —
May God bless and keep you —
Your affectionate
Mother –

[left Margin] Your father says Gen Taylor enquired kindly about you –

[bottom Margin] Both Dr Nott

x

Eliphalet Nott

Birth: 1773-06-25 Death: 1866-01-25Certainty: Possible

and George Richardson

x

George Richardson

Birth: 1825-07-07 Death: 1919-06-25

have sailed for California

Lieutenant A.H. Seward
5^th Infantry U.S. Army
Fort Towson
Choctaw Nation
Arkansas –
AUBURN N.Y.
MAR 10