1983.030.0113

Letters Ranger Family

Hoosick Falls April 17th

1836

My Dear Cousin Mary

I received you very interesting letter some time since while I was in

Greenfield but I was so much engaged in my studies before I left there that I could not possibly

answer it I suppose you are expecting to see me instead of a letter but Mary I am obliged to

disappoint you this time. I had anticipated much pleasure in visiting you this spring but I have so

little time it will all be required to prepare myself and Betsey (for she will attend school with me

next term) for summer I cannot tell where I shall attend school but rather think we shall go to

Schenectady We should probably return to Greenfield but the travelling over the Mountain is

so intolerably bad Father thinks he shall not send us that way at any rate I had a tremendous

time getting home from there I took the stage at 2 o'clock Wednesday morning and for your

information will tell you the stage was nothing more nor less than a large lumber waggon. This

vehicle we kept till we arrived at a little mean looking village which was called conway. Here we

took a lumber boxed sleigh & proceeded again on our way it was rather better after we took the

sleigh for we were not in so great fear of our necks and had much rather have been pitched out of

it than out of a waggon we did not however meet with any accident of the kind but I don't know

bu we shoud if we had not walked over the worst places. There was four ladies from the High

School beside myself viz. The music teacher Miss [?] and three scholars. The two miss

Fessender and Miss [Comloych?] I suppose you have never seen them. They are very pretty

girls and had we not been harrassed with the company of a gentleman (if I may so term him

though I doubt very much whether he is deserving of the title) and the horrid roads should have

had a delightful ride as it was however I was heartily glad when I arrived at my journeys end.

I was a little surprised to hear that Mr Patman is married I thought he had gived up the

idea of getting married but strange things do happen some times you know. If he has not joined

the temperate society I hope for his wife's sake as well as his own he will do so before a great

while

April 22nd

You will see by my dates that some time has elapsed since I commenced writing this

letter. Well Mary I shall finish it now I guess

Marcia Ann was over and made us a longer visit than she has done before since she went

to housekeeping she came saturday and stayed till the next week Wednesday Her health is very

poor indeed she has had two severe spells of the headache during the winter and I think she does

not look much better than when you were here. She went a great deal of love to you and wished

me to say she would answer your letter as soon as she was able so to do. I called on aunt Patience

about a week since she was not very well her health has been miserable through the winter.

Uncle [Hial?] was in good spirits and his heth is "pretty good for him." Father went to Pownal

last week He found all friend in tolerable good health though Grandmother thinks she is not quite

well enough to ride home yet I was in hopes that she would come back with him I have not seen

her this long time. Ellen Parsons is going to start for the West next wednesday. She is going to

stay with her brother Andrew who has lately married as is now in Springfield Otsego County

about 90 miles from here. Seth Edward is going with her. Aunt Ruth has broken up keeping

house and lives with Mrs Burtis. Foster is here yet and I rather think he has given up all idea of

going to Chicago. Miss Hurd (the teacher who boa[r]ded here when you was down) left here this

afternoon she has been over to make me a visit abd if she does not succeed in getting a school to

her mind is going to attend school with me this summer and since I commenced this letter it has

been to my infinite satisfaction decided that we go to Schenectady. We shall leave in a fortnight

from yesterday at which time the school commences and if I could possibly spare the time I

would most gladly visit you but as it is I shall be obliged ti defer it till a more convenient season.

You say Henry has gone to Augusta South Carolina. I thought he was going to Augusta in

Georgia from what Mr Clark said. By the by Mr Clark has gone to uncle [Hial?]'s to board that

he may be nearer his office. He left a few days before I came home. Well Mary I have written

about all the news that I know of and now as a friend I want to ask a favor of you It is this that

you excuse all imperfections in this horrid [serall?] and write as soon as you can possibly do so.

Will ye do so? All friends wish to be remembered to you and the rest of our relatives in your

village. Do answer this immediately. from your sincere friend & cousin S. M. Parsons