eAuburn Dec 28^th 1836
My dear boy, Frederick has written his letter
on the wrong side of the paper so that mine
comes wrong too – he has taken a great deal
of pains to get some red ink and this sheet
of yellow paper to write to you – We received
your letter last week and were much pleased
with it – Freddy could read it all himself –
I suppose you would like to hear all about Christ-
mas – Freddy has told you the contents of the
stockings – I have a Christmas present for you when
you come home but believe I shall not tell
you what it is – Christmas eve Freddy had his
Phantasmagoria – Laura has cut him some papers
to add to his former stock – Frances was here
Laura had gone home and Maria went to get
her bonnet from Miss Rigg’s so they were all
by themselves – I believe they enjoyed themselves
very much – we all wished that you were
with us – Freddy kept Christmas all day Monday
he had a store on the sofa where he kept all
his things for sale – Maria and Frances came
to buy – We have very cold nights now I hope
you will wear your flannel night gowns and
the flannel shirts which I made you to wear
under your others – I have dressed little Cornelia all
in flannel & think she is much more comfortable – she
sits in the cradle and plays with her new rattlebox
I cannot write you a long letter to day because I

have written two letters before & my eyes are weak –
Aunty and Frances have gone to Canandaigua –
Aunty was so sick that I feel very uneasy about
her – When you write again you must tell me
all about your going to Jamestown that cold
Tuesday – I hope Harriet will not get homesick
this winter – next summer we will all come
and see her and make her so much trouble that
she will not have any time to be homesick –
Aunt Clary sends her love – your affectionate mother
Frances A. Seward

Augustus Henry Seward
Care of William H. Seward
Westfield
AUBURN
Dec. 29
N.Y.
hF.A. Seward
Dec 29 1836