Tuesday Jan 4 ^th 1842
My dear Sister,
I commenced this letter with the intention
of sending it by Mr Sherwood as I expected him here
to dine but am just informed that he is not coming – I
will however proceed while I have leisure – "New Years"
has come and the dreaded day has past without any
very important circumstance to mark it – As wine and
punch were dispensed with Henry thought it best to substitute
meat and coffee – coffee for the table up stairs – We had
the table prepared as usual, above, for the Common Council
and military – below there were two tables with ham,
beef, alamode and corned, bread and butter, crackers, cheese
new year cakes, lemonade and cold water – I doubted
the success of the experiment and thought it probable Henry
would at least be insulted by some of his guests for
withholding spirits – But nothing of the kind occurred
there were as many people here as usual being those who
came to eat and not to drink they were much more
orderly and quiet than heretofore – after making a
pretty hearty meal they withdrew – apparently satisfied –

Mrs Bowen fortunately came in town the day before New Year
and as Mrs Cary had not made her appearance I was
very glad to have her come and spend the day with me –
I found her quite agreeable without being extraordinary in
any way – she is well bred and unpretending, sensible
and altogether one of those people with whom it is comfor-
table to associate – this is a judgement formed from the
acquaintance of one day – I had more calls from the
country people and fewer from the citizens than heretofore
a violent headache the consequence of a wakeful night
compelled me to retire from the room and seek my bed at
2 oclock – Mrs Bowen would not remain without me
so she also went to her room and sat quietly by the
fire in a rocking chair with a book until four oclock
when I called upon her to accompany me down to the
parlour where we found Henry and his aids the other com-
pany all having dispersed – At five we dined – after a dish
of coffee Mrs Bowen returned with her husband to the Eagle
The Trojans went home and Henry went to make some
New Year visits – to see Mrs Horner the Weeds &c – Our
house was left as usual the lower hall remained in that
unclean state until Monday morning making the house

comfortless enough as you may imagine – Henry and the boys went
to church I had not courage to go out – as Abbey took
Willie home with her to spend the day I found no
interruption to a long nap which I took in my chair –
^ – evening^ I have many more things to write but Mr Underwood
proposes to take this letter to Mr Sherwood so
I will conclude and write again by Henry –
who thinks he will be in Auburn next Sunday –
I was sorry that a misunderstanding prevented
Mr Sherwood's dining with us – I mentioned this
morning before Henry that our cook had gone home
sick from which he it appears inferred that
we were to have no dinner – I had dinner prepared
when Henry came home and said he had told
Mr Sherwood not to come – so we ate our dinner
alone – Please remember me to all who enquire
particularly – Mr S. takes you a copy of the Message
and documents – all are well – tomorrow I
commence making calls – Mrs Bowen is to spend
some days with me – your own Sister –
Frances –

Mrs Alvah Worden
Auburn —
Mr. Sherwood