Auburn Nov 30^th 1845
My dear Son,
Fred came home a week ago
quite unexpectedly – his examination closed
sooner than he anticipated – I am much
obliged to you for so soon attending to
my request – Fred told me as soon as
he came that he had a letter from you.
You will find it a source of pleasure
always to correspond with one who
has for so many years been a playmate
and whose recollections of the days
of childhood are so intimately allied
to your own — My correspondence with
my sister has been among the chief en-
joyments of my life – I always find
a sympathetic response in her letters
to every joy and every sorrow – Ties
that are built by nature withstand
many storms which would sweep away
friendships and affections of a less en-
during character – Fred has good
health and is pleased with his
situation at Schenectady – even better
I tell him than with his home
which however he does not yet admit

Our winter seems to have commenced in
good earnest – these are cold days for
November and tomorrow is the first
of Winter – Your father went
to Albany the same day that Frederick
left Schenectady – passing each other on
the road– from Albany he went to Orange
County taking with him Miss Parsons of
Albany (sister of the Mr Parsons who taught
in the P. S. Academy) – She is to become the
principle of the "S.S. Seward Institute" –
They were at Florida two days in which time
they made numerous arrangements to be
put in execution next month – The school
opens the 22^d of December – Grandpa Seward
thinks that a long time to wait – At Poughkeep-
sie your father took a pair of horses and
a wagon for a counsel fee – then he drove
to Florida and back as far as New burgh
from whence they came on a freight
boat and are now expected here on the
railroad – Willie is in [ extacies ] and
John appears rather pleased than otherwise
though he avers that there is no place
in the stable to accommodate them
Grandpa says they will eat more
hay and oats than they are worth
this winter – Fanny and I do not care
much about it though we shall not
object to an occasional drive –

William Hills was married to Miss Swain
last Wednesday afternoon – they took the
evening train for New York – The wedding
was a very quiet affair her sister being
low with consumption – They are to live
with Mrs Hills for the present - William
is 25 years old – I spent an evening
at Mrs Porters last week – Charles is at
home in his fathers office – he is much
improved since I last saw him – made
many inquiries about you – Anna is
17 plays on the piano more than passably
which is rather incommon for young ladies
Charles accompanied her with a flute.
Mr Weed was here this week before your
father went to Florida – spent a day with
us – he wished to take Willie home with
him and Willie was determined to go
but I persuaded him to stay with me –
Catherine Miller another daughter of Uncle
Ezra's is with Aunt Clara – she is a year
or two older than her sister Clara and
every way more agreeable – she is obliging
and attentive to Aunt Clara who I
think will keep her all winter – The
boarders continue there yet – The
new rooms are not finished but were
all enclosed before the cold weather

came – We have your report for October
demerits are 6 – 18 in the whole – Do you
find your studies more difficult this year
than the last? I wish you would
tell me unreservedly all your perplexities
I know it would contribute to your
own happiness – The navigation of
the river will soon be impeded and then
I shall have to wait long for a letter
Write soon to me or to Fred as you
choose – I enclose $5 – Fred and
Willie send love – Fanny would kiss
you if you were here she is just learning
how – I had a letter from Aunty
yesterday – L. Lathrop is there again
I am sorry he has no employment –
I suppose Pat

Unknown

is too – I do see how Fan
manages two houses at a time – Aunty
and Frances will come here when Uncle
Worden goes to Albany – Remember your
promise to have me informed if you
are sick – your affectionate Mother
F. A. Seward