Letter from Augustus Canfield to Frances Miller Seward, April 17, 1858

  • Posted on: 14 January 2021
  • By: admin
xml: 
Letter from Augustus Canfield to Frances Miller Seward, April 17, 1858
x

transcriber

Transcriber:spp:cjb

transcriber

Transcriber:spp:cms

transcriber

Transcriber:spp:vxa

student editor

Transcriber:spp:msf

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1858-04-17

In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's persons.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "pla" point to place elements in the project's places.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's staff.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's bibl.xml authority file. verical-align: super; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration: line-through; color: red;

Letter from Augustus Canfield to Frances Miller Seward, April 17, 1858

action: sent

sender: Augustus Canfield
Birth: 1829-12-04  Death: 1867-10-25

location: Paterson, NJ

receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24  Death: 1865-06-21

location: Auburn, NY

transcription: cjb 

revision: amr 2020-10-05

<>

Page 1

Paterson April 17th 1858
My dear Aunt,
When I wrote last Wednesday
I was sick with a cold and consequently
my letter was very brief, much more so than
its ought to have been, or would have been
under any other circumstances. I am
much better now, and will write more at
length, tell you all about myself, and hope
that you may not be fatigued with my
letter, although I fear you may be. As to the
appointment – If I am so fortunate as to
be confirmed by the senate, I shall as soon as
possible leave for the place to which I am
appointed – I am resolved upon this because
I believe that my health will never be restored
so long as I Remain here in the office. I
think this myself, and all myPhysicians
Unknown
think
the same and are united in prescribing a
change of life scene & place – Some of my
friends
Unknown
think I am not well enough to take
so long a journey safely, this I will not
Page 2

think of at all – for I cannot afford to take
Frank
Birth: 1832-02-20 Death: 1876-01-14
with me. The little means that I
had collected together with hard labor has
gone to the maids since I have been sick
or rather to the Doctors their large bills &
other expenses consequent upon sickness
have swallowed up all – gladly would I
take him – but I cannot so there is the end
of it – I will go alone – for to stay here
will be but to drag out perhaps years of
sickness & perhaps death — worse than this
Cannot come if I go, whether alone or with
a multitude. So you see Aunt I am
Resolved upon going – and I have a strong
belief in getting well thereby.
I must tell you aunt that yesterday
I went to see one of the most celebrated
Physician
Unknown
in New York, told him everything
and he said in the end with proper
care & prudence I would get well. I think
that his opinion alone has made me
better, for to day I am very well – and in
the best spirits –
Page 3

Well dear Aunt I have written you
a long letter – have been interrupted
several times since I commenced, for
I am writing in the office, which to
day is very full of people – therefore if it
is incoherent, unconnected & full of
mistakes you will please overlook them –
Give my love to the children & Dear
Aunt believe me very servantly
Your affectionate
Nephew
A. Canfield