Goshen March 23^rd
My dear Cousin Frances I have delayed writing
to you so long that I am ashamed of myself; and
know not how to ask your forgiveness for my neglect.
I could tell you of numberless disappointments, that I have
had when I have set apart a time to write to you
some of business and some of pleasure. it is an old
saying that "Time" grows short, as people grow old." and
I never was so entirely satisfied of its truth as I have been
the last year. This Winter has flown away so rapidly
and I have really accomplished nothing in comparison
to my intentions, it has been to as a pleasant and a
happy one. Our Home is comfortable and often cheered
by agreeable friends. we have all enjoyed uninterrupted
"good health" and often hear of the health and well-
-doing of our absent Brothers & Sons whose Mothers
look ^after^ "with proud hope as their future protectors, and
supporters: if their lives are spared to require either
I am confident that each would be ambitious to do
best and most. Cousin F I know you think me weak
and foolish for talking so much about our "Boys" who
have now all grown into "Manhood" it is true in the eyes
of the World, yet my heart retains the freshness of youth-
-ful love for them, which can never grow old.
You have never felt my dear Cousin the heavy anxiety
ever attendant on a Mothers & a sisters heart when Sons
& Brothers are cast Fatherless on the Theatre of Life all

inexperienced to carve their own fortunes and form their
own characters and the gratification of knowing that they
have done it well certainly must endear more tenderly
to the heart where fear & anxiety are lull’d to rest.
for fear that you will think me too much of an
egotist I will defer my own individual story
for some other time. Henry said in his little short
letter that you did not expect to visit O^. County this
Spring. I do hope you have changed your minds before
this time, I cannot bear to think that you should
not unless business of an indispensable nature
require him in Auburn. Mr Vanduzer expects to
come Home next week. I wish you & the children
would come down with him and stay untill the
Legislature ajourns when Henry would come for you.
I want to see you and the children very much indeed.
I want to know how you have enjoyed yourself and
if Augustus has been to school and dear little Fred I
suppose he talks plainly and is almost a man. They
there has not any of the Florida people been here in
two weeks. the travelling is so bad that no one goes
from home if they can help it. Your Father had a vendue
last week, but did not dispose of his Coach I believe
as there always are many speculations afloat when
a great Man proposes a change, so now the busy
ones say he is agoing to England to N. York to live,
to travel as far as Michigan &c &c. we do not
know what his intentions are farther than to give

up the Farm to Washington & Tempe, but doubt not
he would tell Mama & Aunty anything that he thaught
they wished to know for he has been very Friendly and
kind this Winter. he invited me for the first time
peticularly in a great while to come to Florida
I regreted that I could not go, and intend to this summer
if I have an opportunity. Aunty had a letter from Cousin
Jennings last week. They were all well. Cousin Marcia
attending Auction much engaged in preparing for
house- keeping. they have taken a House in Provost St
and expect to move 1^st of May. Dear little Clarence
we all want to see him very much indeed. Fanny
talks a great deal about him and
often wishes for him to play with and
to go to school. Cousin Harrys little
daughter is a great affair at the Bank they were all
here visiting a few days ago. she certainly is an uncommon
fine Baby. When have you heard from Cornelia? we
have not in a long time. I hope when you write Home
you will give my Love to your Sister Grandmama
and Aunt Clara. Mama & Aunty send much Love
to you all and hope to hear from you soon. and
hope you will come down, when ever you please
I shall be happy to hear from you. I am your
sincear Friend and affectionate Cousin Frances.

Mrs. Wm. H. Seward
Albany
N.Y.
GOSHEN N.Y. MAR 24
hF.A. Tuthill
March 24, 1833