Worcester Massachusetts
Sunday June 20^th 1841
My dear Sister
I wrote you a letter last Friday
on board the steam boat which conveyed us from
New York to N. Haven which letter I left without
seal or superscription at the Hotel in Hartford —
I have since sent word to the chambermaid to destroy
it — The truth is that the steam boat traveling
which I accomplished nearly destroyed me I was
very sick the whole t time on the boats and
when I reach Hartford was confined to my bed
the whole time of our stay there — We left
Albany Thursday afternoon (I was sorry not to be able
to write before I came away) in company with Weed
King Sam and Dr Canfield who came to Albany
Tuesday evening — They all intended going with us
to Boston but finally changed their minds, except
the Dr, and went to Washington — Mr Blatchford and
Mary joined us on the N. Haven boat which
left N. York at six oclock in the morning
I had been very sick all night and was rather discouraged
with the prospect of my journey in the morning — my
sickness continued through the day — We found Mr
and Mrs Norton with their pretty little boy on the boat
I was pleased to see them as they were some of the few
sincerely good people whom I found in Albany when I
was there 9 years ago — We reached New Haven about 11
oclock in a brisk shower of rain and came

immediately on to Hartford by rail road — I was sorry
not to see more of N. Haven a it had the appearance
of being a beautiful town — but I could not stop
there with out prolonging the time of my absence
and I came away very reluctantly leaving dear Willie
at home — Brown was better and they all promised
to take care of him — I am anxious to get to Boston
where I expect a letter from Mary— We should
have gone to Auburn Saturday had I remained at Albany
but Henry was anxious to have me come with
him — I think he will have cause to repent as my
impatience to get back I know will prevent
many excursions he would otherwise make — Dear
little Willie I suppose he thinks Ma has deserted him
with Aunt Gus and — This place you will
reccollect is the residence of the famous Mrs Davis
and "Honest John" — One of his aids came soon after
our arrival to Au annouce his illness and propose
that we should come there — so After tea and
a visit to the Lunatic Hospital we proceeded
in two carriages to the residence of "Honest John"
it is a plain neat dwelling about half a mile
from the town — Mrs Davis looks and acts
just as we supposed the writer of that letter
would — she is a plain woman in her personal
appearance with a strong mind and manners
rather masculine than coarse — Thought me very
childish to be troubled about a boy 2 years old
said she left all 5 of hers five months at
a time and never gave herself the least
uneasiness about them — I looked at her and
did not doubt the truth of the assertion

There was something about Governor Davis which reminded
me of Mr Lucas perhaps it was the sincerity of
his manner for he is not as well looking by any
means & much older — Their family consists of 5 boys
we saw but one, the oldest an awkward sensible
young man of 20 — Henry stayed until I was very weary
and finally left with a promise to pass this evening
there should we remain in town — It appears that Sunday
evening's in New England are all devoted to visiting — So to
night we are to go first calling on Mrs Lincoln wife
of the Ex Governor who left her card for me this after-
noon while I was lying down — The Governor called and
accompanied us to the Unitarian Church this morning
where they all go — Gov– L– is a precise little man con-
siderably appressed with the dignity of having been the
Chief Magistrate of this state 12 or 14 years —
We came from Hartford to Springfield in an extra stage
at Springfield we took the W. Stockbridge railroad
which continues to Boston— tomorrow morning we
on to Boston where we shall remain until Tuesday night
and hope to reach Albany Wednesday returning to
Hudson by land — How many times I have regretted that
you did not remain in Albany so as to make this journey
with us it would have enhanced the pleasure immeasurably
but I believe that is not to be our good fortune — Worcester
is a pretty town of about 4000 inhabitants embodying
my ideas of a New England village quiet neat
and orderly. I was rather disappointed in the appearance
of the country through which we have traveled in
the state of Connecticut — large fields covered with
buttercups daisy's and sorrel contrast unfavorably
with ours of rich waving grain — the houses were very
old and unpainted, the fences out of repair every thing
exhibiting a want of enterprise — but the line of the rail
road may not be a fair example — The villages exhibit
much neatness and taste — Fred has gone to church

this afternoon with his father not a little against his inclination
having been in the morning — I had not heard a word from
home when I came away — Brown was so much better
as to be able to ride one or two miles — Willie was also
much better though his face was not entirely well. I found
myself the day I was at Hartford covered with a rash
precisely similar in appearance to Willie's measles
Sam has left his office — Loveridge is appointed in his place
Sam says he shall go west when he has completed his studies
he had a long love story to tell me all of which you
have heard — Miss S-r was the heroine — he has had a talk
with his father on the subject — but I [ mus ] say good bye and sleep
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Ontario County
New York
WORCESTER
JUNE 21
N.Y.

[right Margin] a little preparatory to the duties of the evening your own sister —
I hope to leave Albany for Auburn next Saturday —