August 21st 1820
My Dear Brother
My constant wishes and sincere desire is to see you and your
little family. I started a letter to you the seventh of last
November by the male [sic] but have received no answer. I shall
inform you that I have been very unhealthy for some time past, but
thanks be to God I have recovered and enjoy as good health at
present as common. I expect you would be very happy in knowing my
station of life. I shall inform you that enjoy that holy station of
syllibasy [sic] with much happiness which I hope is God's holy will.
My Dear brother I shall also inform you that by the hand of God
[__] I am [__]
I am in a very low circumstance and all my grief is that when I
become old I shall be destitute of money and friends and become a
misery to myself and to those with whom I dwell. I received a letter
from you dated August 4th 1819 which gave me much satisfaction to
hear of you and your family's good health. In this letter you
invited me to come and live with you, which I would do with all the
happiness that life could enjoy if it was not out of my native
country, but as it is not, I would not be willing to come, for
perhaps I might come and in a few years Death might [__] you away
and leave me in a more worse disposition than I would enjoy here. I
should recommend you particularly to look into the vocation of your
children and see if none of them has a design to devote themselves
to God; as you well know, they are the gift of his holy hand, which
he has rindered to you as the happiness of your life, therefore you
ought to be particular in bringing them up to bear and sanctify him
and watch over the as the apple of your eye. Your sister Polly
"Hendrix" daughter Mary Ann has become a nun, and Polly has married
and has one child. I shall also inform you that I keep house for the
Rev. Mr. [_____], a catholic priest here there is a small school
commencing where they take children to be educated and it would be
the greatest happiness of life for me if you would send one of your
boys; for I should take as much care of him as if he was my own
child.
As I was writing my letter I being so well blessed that in a fit
of laughter I bursted my cleave.
Now in triumph of joy in hopes you will send a piece of cloth
that unfortunate for to mend
My love and complements to your wife and children and to the
priest of that parish if his name is Mr Brassia [?]. A Dieu my Dear
Brother with the complesence of everlasting love
E. Wells
John Close