Sunday afternoon June 14
My dear Sister,
Our church does not go to day, I have
been to the second Presbyterian – The vestry have come
to an open rupture with Mr Cox – he is not to preach
any more – I can give the female vision from which
you may make proper allowances – Debby told
me that the vestry had a meeting and represented
to Mr Cox (this time without interruption) that
he was exceedingly unpopular with his congregation.
After the communication Mr Cox said if this were
really the state of the case he should resign –
soon after the vestry adjourned a letter was received
(described as very abusive) saying he should retain
his place as clergyman of the parish until he was
dismissed by the Bishop! that he acted in
pursuance of advice of friends &c &c – To this letter
the vestry replied that they no longer considered
Mr Cox their pastor and he must seek another
parish – to day the church is closed – we went
up found Mr and Mrs Dennis leaving – they had
seen the sexton who informed them that he had
been directed to ring the bell only in case Mr Cox
should call upon him to do so – here the matter
rests for the present – when I hear any thing

[top Margin] Willie

x

William Seward

Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29

is not very well – the chickens and rabbits are –
– says you owe him a letter and he wishes
as soon as possible – H. Cook

x

Horace Cook

Birth: 1822-07-22 Death: 1897-05-28

was at
with a new leg – I dare not look at it much –
his appearance vastly – he uses his crutches yet

[ a ] uthentic I will inform you – For myself
[ I ] [ ha ] ve always been inclined to like Mr Cox but
[ I ] have heard many reports which if true show
that he is not calculated to please a country
parish – all his wrong notions I presume are
supported and strengthened by the family of his
fatherinlaw – Henry is decidedly in favour of Mr
Cox but he has been away and knows nothing
of the progress of the disaffection – The Conklings
impute all the difficulty to Mr and Mrs Gardiner
and speak of them in unmeasured terms of reprobation.
Mrs Conkling called to invite us there to a party Friday
evening – she talked to me very unreservedly on this
subject but did not mention the letter or the
determination of the vestry – she might not have known
it – We all went to the party – Henry first took
Judge Whiting and John Van Buren – then Sam
and I – Christopher took Dr Doane – We
arrived about 10 were there about an hour
there were 30 guests I should think selected
from those considered most favorable to the son in law
Mrs Smith was there with Caroline – they with
John Clary walked up – Mrs Smith says she
has lost all sympathy for Wyatt considering
him a very degraded being – The women all
assailed Henry who declared he never saw
so ferocious a set – all but the Conklings –
Mrs C does not believe in capital punishment

an opinion which I find myself internally supporting
Good Dr. Brigham and the books I have read have
convinced me of its inexpediency to say nothing
of the inhumanity. The trial will take place this week
two jurors are retained and more than half the peremptory
challenges exhausted – I am still very sorry you did not
conclude to come now instead of next month – Dr
Brigham will be here again this week, probably Dr McCall
Dr. Doane remains – I had Augustus room all ready
for you last week – the rooms are very beautiful
and abundant – I have a letter from Augustus
who has passed his examinations and is pronounced
proficient – he says – "I am at a loss what to say in answer to
your letters (though as to resigning or being dismissed at this
time I have not the slightest idea) – I have now finished
three years of my studies here the three which are most
difficult & cannot think of throwing anything away, when
I am on the eve of graduating – But even did I not wish
to graduate, if it were something to be avoided rather than
desired I should not feel myself at liberty to resign
under the present circumstances. When I came here I
took an oath to serve 8 years unless sooner discharged,
with things at present as they were then, when there was
a great sufficiency of officers, I should think it perfectly
right now or after I had graduated one or two years
but if my services are wanted as things at present
indicate I am not at liberty to do so & home would
be the last place where I should wish to be seen after
such an unworthy action – In the mean time I
do not think you need give yourself any uneasiness for in

all probability the war will be brought to a close before I
graduate" – I know that my boy is right and
I wrong yet a mothers heart shrinks from the fearful
alternative – I have no confidence in a permanent
cessation of hostilities – The same injustice which
commenced will continue the war – May God
preserve my child –
Clara is well – Polly McLaughlin is with her
she came from Romulus with Aunt Zeviah and Sophia
Sly last week – goes back Friday – is sick in low
spirits – Smith from Syracuse is here spending the
day – Do you know of a girl by the name of Catherine
who lived with Mrs Mal 2 or 3 years Clara says she is
here and wants a place – Anna leaves in a week or two – I would
prefer to have an American girl but [ no ] of none to take
her place – Sam cannot go for his wife while
the trials last – I wish she were home
1846
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.