Friday Dec 23^d – 1842
My dear Sister,
You may expect a very disagreeable
ill-looking letter from me taking it for granted that
the letter will bear a striking resemblance to its writer –
I have been sick all the week partly in consequence
of a hurt and partly on account of the horrible
fate of Philip Spencer – I cannot conceive any
thing more awful – if it does not nearly kill
his mother she has more philosophy or less feeling
(rather synonymous) than other women – Though I
might hope under a similar dispensation by the
grace of God, to attain resignation under an affliction
so terrible, I should never expect entirely to recover
from such a soul subduing affliction – I felt
precisely as you did in regard to the sudden
infliction of punishment for a crime let it be of
what nature it might but further accounts
seem to palliate what at first appeared so aggravated –
The official account may afford still further

information – The men all seem to think it just right to
hang a boy of 19 without an hour for preparation,
and some of the women too – Dear Clara came
near having a nervous fever – as neither of us
slept the night the news came – she had chills
and fever all night – thinking of course that
Augustus although he is one of the best boys in the
world would one day be caught and hanged without
judge or jury – No mother with 3 boys can
know what trials are in store for her but I trust God
will preserve mine from such fearful crimes –
My nervous system has received another shock from
a blow upon my head – I was washing the dining
room closet, one of the upper doors was open when
I rose suddenly under it whereby the sharp edge
was thrust into my head – I felt as though my
head was crushed – the blood gushed from the wound
I ran into the kitchen and employed Maria to
pour upon it cold water in abundance – I continued
to apply cloths wet in cold water all day
(hydropathy) – my head has ached much of the time

since one or two day violently – I have also suffered
from nausea – the cold water had the effect to
prevent any soreness and had my head been like that
of any other person I presume would have prevented all
ill effects – Your letter came yesterday morning – I
think you had great moral courage to venture out that
cold Sunday – as you say nothing of your cold I hope
it is better – Mrs Miller has not recovered yet from
hers – I called there again this week – Sarah Miller is
spending two or three days with her – Mrs Miller says
the state of her finances are is such that she cannot any longer
afford to keep house – she wishes Clara to take her house and
board her – I am afraid Clara will find it an uncom-
fortable change if she does – Mc Clallen is rather inclined
to go – nothing decided yet however – We went to Compstons
Tuesday and saw all the boarders Mrs Wood, Perry and Dill
Mrs Dill and Perry are in the third story – the house is
large – Mrs Dill’s rooms are the same as Debby’s – Leonard
and Amanda have moved back to the old place –
Griswold keeps Leonards house – so they change about –
I cannot say much in favour of Clara’s visit – the
Cloak is here yet and the man sick – if she had
it I doubt whether she would get away from home
this cold weather – you must come if Worden goes
to Albany – Will Frances go with her father –
I have no doubt you have had much difficulty in [ decyphring ]
the veto – I find Henry’s letters illegible and they are
written more carefully – Willie’s eyes continue bad
I have two letters, and medicine from Dr Ward –

with a very nice note from H. Underwood who sent
them – I hear nothing of the N. Y. people – Weed has
gone to Washington – Love to Frances – your own
Sister
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
DEC 23