Bargain town, Oct^R 9^th 1836.
My dear Mother,
I have waited long, and anxiously,
for a letter, not one word since I left Florida—this
is cruel, almost, considering the delicate state of Pa’s
health, & the situation of things when I left. I thought
Julia Ann would have written, sometimes, to inform me
of your welfare. I almost persuaded myself when I
was at home that I could induce Mahlon to move
to Orange Co., but he had a serious attack of
illness which left him with a cough & strong symptoms
of decline, which occupied us more than anything ^else^ —
he concluded a journey would be of service to him.
he solicited & obtained permission ^from the Department^ to be absent six
or eight weeks to travel westward, he set out last
Monday Oct^R 3^rd I believe, was better before he
started, he is not altogether content to remain here,
and if he can be suited better in the far West he talks
of trying to get my consent to Emigrate—which
I am inclined to think will be reluctantly given.
If it had been our lot to have gone West 10 years
ago, I would not have objected, but after spending
a solitary 10 years here, I cannot bear to think of going
further from home and friends to an Exile still
longer, nothing seems to be so hard to bear as the ^almost^ entire
absence of all my family.
I had a beautiful letter from Henry a few days ago,
the second since my return, he says if it was not for
the horror he has of seeing us move West any where, he

would be delighted to have us join him and share
with him his lonely house. Frances was pretty smart
the last accounts. I sincerely hope she may be restored,
to health—& her family.
Washington wrote a few weeks since in pretty good
spirits. Marcia is mending I believe.
Our children have been complaining some, but are
pretty well now, I have a sweet Cousin, Julia Dickerson
staying with me, otherwise the time would be very
tedious, I have been entirely alone for some weeks past,
Elizabeth went home on account of her Mother’s health.
I did not see any one who I thought would be likely to
suit & I preferred to wait awhile, I have a very good little
girl now, our family an is small, the boys still board down
shore. I feel very anxious to hear from you all how
Polydore gets along & poor Locke, I do hope it may not
be very long before I hear from you all.
I had a letter from Mary Cummins sometime since she
talked of coming on the 1^st of this month—but
declined my invitation to visit me on her way—I regret
it very very much. My Children are at home today (Sunday
have been running about all the time I have been writing.
Caroline talks a great deal about her Grandma, says she
gave her the yellow coat & bonnet & red frock & O, I wish
you could see how sweet she looks in them.
Please try to write or ask Julia Ann to do so, it is so
long since I heard—Excuse all blunders, I cannot write
when my children are buzzing about me.
Remember me in much kindness to my dear Father
P. & Locke Julia Ann Dr. & Mrs. C. Israels family &c &c
Ever your, affectionate Daughter
Cornelia.

Mrs. Mary Seward,
Florida
Orange Co.
New York
M.D. Canfield
Bargain Town
N.J. Oct^br10 .