Macedon Center Dec. 31 ^st , 57
My dear Mrs. Seward
Yesterday I reached
home safely found my
parents in about usual
health and glad to have
me near them again –
near them I say, for I
have engaged to enter the
school at Palmyra next
Monday. The health of the
preceptress having failed,
the Trustees wish me to
take her place for a time.
I am pleased with the
prospect of having occupied
the rest of the winter, and
in the mean time shall
be thinking of the future.

I am very much occu-
pied with my parents and
with making preparations
for going into school, but
an under current of thought
and feeling is almost con-
stantly passing over the
past year of my life, and
dwelling most fondly and
gratefully upon the noble
and lovely objects a kind
providence has given me.
Still there is mingled
with all this such a sad
sense of my short comings,
that I ever humbly pray
that all the evils which
might result from my
many sh imperfections
may be turned from my
previous charge.
I hope William is

with you, and send all
a happy New Year.
I will write dear Fanny
in a few days, if my hand
will allow, but so much
packing and repacking
with the cold and the la-
bor have nearly disabled
it for present use.
Do you receive pleas-
ant news from Washington
and do you soon return
there? Pardon this very
poor note – when rested and
quieted I will write you
some of what is in my
full heart. May I hope to
hear from you soon! Love
to Mrs. McClallen – and to
dearest Fanny – please kiss
her for me many times.
Affectionately
S. D. Hance

h Sarah Hance
Dec 1857