Monday July 23^d 1838
My dearest Sister,
I improve one hour of reprieve to write
to you. Henry came home Saturday morning before
breakfast having traveled all night - he was
at Florida one day - left his father able to ride
out - his mother was very feeble but about the house.
Henry was very much fatigued went to bed before dark -
in the course of the evening William Boardman called
and left his card saying Mrs Boardman was at the
hotel. Henry went over after breakfast and told them
I would call and take Mrs Boardman to Church
which I did - here we had a scene - just as we
arose to read the Psalter Mrs Boardman signified to
me that she was fainting which interesting communication
I immediately forwarded to William. Then we had a
great bustle. Bill carried his wife out - or rather supported
her as she did not faint entirely. Henry and I accompanied
them, after some deliberation I persuaded them to go
into Mr Lucas house which we fortunately found open -
here we remained until 'Rosa' recovered sufficiently
to ride home that is to the American where she
seemed to prefer going. Bill appropriated a horse
and wagon belonging to some of the congregation in
which the lady was placed - after seeing them set
off Henry and I returned to Church in time
to hear a good sermon. I called at the American
on my way home - found Bill looking as grave as
man of family should. Rosa in bed but much
better - she declined going to our house until afternoon

they came round soon after we had finished our afternoon
meal - we gave them tea at six oclock. Mrs Boardman
is I think pretty (Clara says she is very homely looking
very much like the Van Volkenburghs) and intelligent
has red hair and an exceedingly fair skin with
dark hazel eyes. Do you know her maiden name?
they resided about a mile out of the city of Washington
her mother she told me was an intimate friend of
Mrs Madison - by the way Mrs Madison is living at
Washington and though 70 years of age retains her
fondness for society with much of her former good looks
I must acknowledge it diminished my respect for her
when I heard of her mingling in the gay society
at Washington giving and attending parties she seventy
years of age and the husband of her youth but two
years dead. I think with all her affability and
urbanity vanity must have been the ruling principle.
William and Rosa have been engaged a long time - she
spent last summer in Troy with Mrs Boardman.
They are all well. Columbus' widow remains there
with her little Clara. William and his wife have been
to Rochester by the way of Oswego and returned by
the way of Canandaigua - he regretted very much
that he did not know you were living at Canandaigua.
I suppose you are not very sorry as they were there
that exceedingly warm day Friday. They staid here
until nine and then returned to the American. This
morning I was to take them to see the Owasco lake
I sent Nicholas an hour ago to see if they were
ready but received an answer that Mrs B. was not
so well this morning - thought she would feel well
enough to go in an hour. Nicholas has gone again -
I wonder if the world will ever grow wise enough to

stay at home after they are married at least for the
first three months. I suppose not - do you know whether
Willis Clark's wife is at Stouts - he is in Philadelphia
again Henry says. Henry will go soon to Chautauqua
I do not know how soon shall I send your forks
by him but I have begun wrong. Henry purchased only
six having forgotten the directions - they are plain
I think heavier than ours - about between them in
size. Henry proposes to give Boardman one and let
him purchase the other set and send them on - shall
I keep the five remaining and have them all marked
together or shall I send them as they are by Henry
in case he should not remain long enough at home to
receive the others. Clara mentioned some other things
you wished sent on. I suppose you have told me all
about them once but I am like the old judge. I think
the carpet to be light ^not white^ small figure about 1$ per yard
as I have seen none lower priced - how many yds.
Maria Miller has a very pretty sofa bedstead I think
the price was 35$ dollars but am not positive. I
suppose Clara told you that those mattrasses were all
soiled in making and that we had found it impossible
to get one made quite clean so you must expect
to wash it in places with a brush as she did - the
ordinary size for a double bedstead is that it? then
they are to be shipped at the basin for what port but
perhaps Henry can tell all about that. I will ask him.
Clara talks much of her visit she says she never saw
any one living altogether so pleasantly as you. I tell her
I have been trying to convince her of that since last Spring
but she never seemed to realize it. Judge Richardson
says Henry ("my son Henry") was entertained in princely
style. I suppose you revelled in all the good things
of which he so frequently speaks. Henry sends love - he is at

the dentists. I have just returned from my ride with the
Boardmans - of course have the headache - they leave this afternoon.
Tell Frances Freddy has been to the dentist and had two teeth with
long prongs extracted this morning. I have seen nothing of
Oliver Twist yet but Fanny Goodwin will return it in time.
your own sister Frances
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
JUL 24

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Lazette Worden

Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03

July 28. 1838