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Transcription of a letter from Elisabeth Wells to John Close

August 21, 1820

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


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