Auburn Sunday Sep 16-/49
My dear Augustus,
I have just returned from Florida
where I stayed three weeks instead of one –
I found much to occupy me– Your
Father and Fred have been constantly occupied
with Grandpa’s papers – The personal property
is to be sold at auction on the 25^th– The real estate
or the proceeds of it together with the
personal property to be divided as far as
practicable among the heirs after the expiration
of one year – In the mean time the care
of this large estate probably exceeding $300,000
devolves upon your father – He is almost over
whelmed with the magnitude of his responsibilities.
Uncle Polydore and George with their families
have their property left in trust to the Executor
which seems to require constant guardianship.
Your father thinks the land should not be
disposed of in its present unfavorable condition.
If he retains these farms you might aid
him essentially by superintending them or
some of them – I think you would find
it agreeable employment – Uncle Polydore is
very much out of health and George is not

capable of assuming the responsibility – Should this
fail to attract you your father will
gladly establish you in some other business –
many places are open to those who have capital.
One thing my dear child has occasioned me
much pain, it is the fear that I may
have led you to suppose that you would
be a direct heir – This was at one time
a suggestion of your fathers when he was
embarrassed by creditors whi whom he thought
unjust – but that matter was settled
and Grandpa made his last will accor-
ding to his original intention – I am
satisfied now that it is as well as it is – If you
have any doubts, which the generosity of
your nature with a knowledge of your
fathers goodness, hardly allow me to
suppose, I think I could satisfy them –
Your father thinks our united letters sent
from Florida will not fail to bring
you home –I trust it may be so –
Your mothers heart yearns for a meeting
after a separation of more than two years –
I have your letter of the 10^th of August
It came three days ago –
Your father came with me to Albany

when I was met by Clarence – Uncle George’s
daughter Sarah came home with me
for a visit – – Aunty Worden is here – she
is very much out of health – some of her
symptoms are alarming – I wish I could
keep her with me until I go to Washington–
You can imagine how many preparations I
have to make for housekeeping there which
are yet hardly commenced We leave here
the last of Nov – Aunt Clara I think will
come to take care of Grandpa – Fred will
also stay with him – Clarence wishes to go
to the law school at Cambridge – I think
he will go – Willie is very much engaged
raising chickens – Fanny is very well she
went with me to Florida – Your father
and Fred will be there two or three weeks yet.
Grandpa went with Mr. Sackett to the
state fair held at Syracuse – it was
a great disappointment to many persons
that Gen. Taylor did not attend the
fair as was expected – but his illness
made it necessary for him to return
to Washington – Your father did not
go to Portland – God bless you my
dear child – Your affectionate mother –