Monday night 7^th Feb
My Dear Henry, What a wonderful easy thing it is for me to write to
those I know and love. here I have been the last hour writing one
page to a third or fourth cousin whom I had never heard of
three weeks ago, but she wrote to Grandma and of course the
answer fell to my charge. her name is Sarah Titus, the daughter
of Grandma’s step–brother who lives in Duanesburgh. that
is all I know about them and on this hint I spake’. yesterday,
I had the ague all day and drank gin, and applied plaisters until
I was too stupid to do any thing. it was an intolerable cold day
did not see any one of course, felt when night came is if I must have a
letter sent to the office did not get any, went to bed expecting one in
the morning, left Pa and Pete down stairs cooking oysters, which amuse–
ment they have every two or three nights. This morning Pa handed me
the letter as I expected which contains the account of the party
and sundry other interesting articles I am sorry you are frightened
about little Fred, his cough continues yet and Grandma continues
full in the belief that it is the whooping cough. I should think it
was myself had he been exposed in any manner. you shall have
notice as soon as I make up my mind. in the mean time there
is nothing alarming about his cough. it is not accompanied
with any fever or other bad symptoms. he has cut another upper
tooth, now has four in all, I wonder that he is not more sick
I believe it is quite uncommon for babies to get their teeth at so fast .
Clary says I may tell you that Hugh is about jilting her. he invited
himself to call last evening did not receive meet with any
opposition, but never came, after she had been to the trouble to have
a fire made in the south room, being afraid Grandma would
say something about his deranged relatives or something else equally
improper. Mrs Throops stories are perfectly in character

George I hear has arrived in town. Clary has been out this afternoon just
returned. She went to Dr Pitney’s, Jones, Compstons and finally finished
at George Woods where she took tea with Eliza Horner. Maria Harris
went home this afternoon in the stage. She says she does not
think much of Mrs Pitney’s appearance says she is stiff in
her manners talks but little and is evidently striving constantly
to appear genteel. I never could believe the woman very
intelligent or interesting if she had been what on earth would
have induced her to have married the Dr. was receiving
a number of calls at the time Clary was there. does not appear
at all easy in her new situation. talks about her cook & like many
silly people. Mrs Hardenburgh called here to day she says She
likes Thomas so much that she will be very unwilling to part
with him in the Spring. asked a number of times when you was
coming home. why you did not come home and make a visit. She
is rather weak but I am teased to death with these questions what
should I tell them is the reason? I have never made any answer only
that you did not intend coming home only in case of the sickness of
some of the family. Mr Compston and E Horner talk very freely again
about Bronson. I take it that that courtship has come to an abrupt ter–
mination. The Miss Wallaces are very obnoxious to on many accounts
rather given to b[ u ] ying and wear bombarette cloaks . Mrs Rudds party
has created great schism in the church. Jenung and his hounds are going
to withdraw on account of his wife having been neglected. did I tell
you Mrs Powers and Lydian were there , so her apology of dear’s absence
only applied to our party I imagine. Dr Rudd is very much censured
for his extravagant panegyrics about Dr Morgans e practice. by the
way that brings to my mind that Edward said Dr Morgan brought a
small packet for me this morning which Pa took into his posession
and intends to retain[ . ] I should think I have seen nothing of it yet.
I think it must be the cards. Clary called also at Hoskins they had

just recieved a letter containing the intelligence of Williams death. he died
at Savannah sometime in January. Teusday night— This morning I
succeeded in obtaining the packet of cards at the same time a letter from
Cornelia. She says they are almost buried in the snow. She thinks she
would like to come and see us next summer if it could be so arranged
that the Dr would not be obliged to leave home for any length of time
tell me what you think about it. you do not answer half the questions
I ask in my letters. To day Lazette sent word she would like to go to the
house after a man had made paths and Lazette came down I put on all
the cloaks and handkerchiefs I could find and went over. every thing
remained the same as I left. the poor rose trees were all frozen to
death. Mr Cherry came with a sleigh and took the piano. I did feel sorry
to see it go it was like parting with an old friend. it was a selfish sorrow
after all. Lazette always was entitled to the posession of it if any one as it
was purchased for her and I will not regret it if it serves to lighten her
heart of [ any of its ] numberless cares. she would not take it only with[ out ]
the co[ ndition t ] hat it should be returned in the spring. I am afraid
by that time Worden and Frances will have somewhat impaired the concord of sweet
sounds! After I came home Clary went to call on Serene and while she was
absent Abijah and Maria came to make their annual visit. Maria sl says
she does not like to have company in the winter ever. They are to stay with us to night
and go to Isaacs in the morning. The[ y ] are pretty much the same as they used to be
Maria thinks it the principal end of living to have handsome caps and dresses made
in the newest fashion. I think she has the most happy faculty of making every one
dissatisfied with themselves of any one I ever knew. They consider people who
have children as objects of great compassion. Sally Maria has another
daughter. I do think she is to be pitied. Dr Foot proposes calling this one
Wolly, he is very disagreeable from their account, a perfect brute
I think. Wednesday night— This morning Pa and Abijah went to Seneca Falls. Maria
went to Isaacs. Clary and Lazette took tea there this afternoon. Pa and Abijah
came home this evening. coming home they ran against another cutter and broke the
shafts of Abijah's cutter of course they could not ride home in that. Pa got
in with Dr Pitney who came along about that time and Abijah came with some
one else. Pa felt rather inclined to scold but Abijah laughed him out of it.
Tomorrow they expect to go home after the cutter is mended. To night is the
first cotillion party dont you think they have not had the civility to send
me a card. I think it is a judgement upon me for [ rejoucing ] that Mrs
Smith was neglected last winter. They called for Clary but she did not go
this evening. Fred continues about the same, appears quite well when he is
is not coughing. I expect we shall all freeze to death when the eclipse comes it is so cold
now. Your own Frances —

Auburn NY Feb 12
William H. Seward
Albany

hF. A Seward
12 Feb 1831