Auburn Christmas day
1847 —
My very dear child,
How often I have wished
to day that you could make one of our
circle at dinner — it is a long long time
since I have had the gratification of having
all my children with me at this season —
I have not written to you since the 9^th
of this month the same day I received
your letter from Jalapa — I have been
watching the papers for a report of your
further progress but have learned
nothing until yesterday when it was
stated that Gen Pattersons train left
Jalapa the 26 of November — your
progress is so slow that I presume you
will be much longer reaching the
City of Mexico than you anticipated
The same paper mentions that the
Mail came through from Mexico
to Vera Cruz by the way of Oriziba
this inspires the hope that I may
hear from you sooner than I
expected — You cannot conceive
the joy that the arrival of one of your

letters produces — Aunt Clara has the last
still in her possession — She gets along
very comfortably with her new boarders
finds them much less troublesome than
the Seavers — Last Sunday your father
being obliged to go to Lyons

x

Lyons, NY

Geneva, took
Fred and Willie in the sleigh as far
as Canandaigua — They stopped at Canandai
gua ^Geneva^ and took Clarence with them — your
father proceeded on his journey the next
day leaving the boys to bring home the
sleigh and horses — Willie stayed with
his Aunty while Frances returned in his
place — She is still here for a visit
of two or three weeks — Aunty is to
come out with Henry Cheesbro the day
before New Years — Uncle Worden goes to
Albany about that time — Willie (who
was to await the return of his father) came
home quite unexpectedly last evening alone —
He says he could not wait for his father
as he must be at home Christmas — Fortunately
I had supplied myself with Christmas toys
so that he and Fanny both being up
their stockings last night and to day
the table is covered with — guns, swinging
men, soldiers horses, tea cups & saucers
chairs and sofa's dolls &c &c— they
are very happy — To night Abbey is to make

molasses candy which is usually the
conclusion of the Christmas sports —
I went to Church this morning — was much
affected by having Frances accompany
me to the altar to take the Sacrament —
It was unexpected to me and brought up
so suddenly a thousand recollections
some pleasing some painful that I found
it very difficult to restrain my tears —
You and Frances are so nearly of an age and
were so long playmates that every new era
in her life seems intimately associated with
yours — I should be very thankful my dear
Son if you too could feel it a duty
to make a profession of religion in
compliance with the wish of our Savior
who says "He that confesses me before
men, him will I confess before my Father
in Heaven" — I expect your father
home to night but he will soon be obliged
to go again to Albany — Mr Morgan leaves
next Tuesday — but not his family —
Miss Fletcher a young lady from Boston
is with Mrs Blatchford — they are very gay —
Frances is invited there to night —
I believe no event of any importance
has occurred in our village since I
wrote before — I write little on the
subject of polotics or the war it is

so uncertain whether my letters will
reach their destination — The last time
I heard from Henry Smith he was about
leaving Mitamoros for Vera Cruz — His
mother was here and made very particular
enquiries about you — I was from home
if you have time write me a long letter
Are any of your classmates near you? —
I see Gen Worth is about going to hueretaro & am wondering whether the 8^th Regiment
of Inf. will accompany him — As I think
it my duty as much as possible to direct my
mind from sad thoughts I am at present
engaged in taking French lessons with Fred
from a Mr Sparks who has a new method
of teaching with which I am much pleased
I am sorry that Fred will not be at home
long enough to complete his course of lessons
Sunday 26th Last evening Aunt Clara came
up to spend the time with me and attend
a party of Willie's — Your father returned
and we had quite a cheerful evening — Frances
went to a small party at Mrs Blatchfords but
came home early — The weather is very cold
we find our furnace much more comfortable
than we anticipated — All join in love and
kind wishes to you —Once more I command you
to His care who never fails to watch over his
children — May He guide and keep you —
Your affectionate Mother