Schlesinger Library

think of our dear Grandmother & Father, and dear little sister who are laid in the cold, dark grave, and think of conducting in this world, so well as to meet them in heaven when you shall leave this earth. I hope when I shall return home, (if permitted) to find that you have corrected this fault. This I say, washing it, promote your happenings in all the love a sister can feel toward another. If I have set a bad example in any thing do not follow it. There all things cultivate patience with our brothers.

I send a few shalls that I picked up on the sea shore. Those in the loetter box are for [Massitte?], give him a kiss for me & tell him to be a good boy. The rest are for you. I also send a fine gray linen pocket handkerchief to be yours whenever you think you have corrected that fault, then ask [Q?] if she will mark your name[?] on it and then call it yours soon. Mother had letter be the judge, it must be used carefully.

Mary S. Anthony Centre Falls, Wash Cty. N. Y.

Curtisville 7th mo 12th 1839

Respected Neice

Thine of the 12 & 15th ultimo mailed the 18th was ree'd the 19th should have answered it ere this but have been very busy & time occupied as far ashealth would admit in the discharge of the duties relative to my business here & it being near the end of the half year. Paid our help last week $5.800 for 1/4 Yrs work. Went to Adams & M. ago last 6th day with all of us Ann & Cynthia & Hannah left Cynthia to be cared by a woman from Mich who says she can sweat the complaint away & by doing it will prevent a recurrence of it the medicine is simple principle ingredients are wormwood charred in a close vessel & burned to ashes & put into brandy certain quantities of it taken 2 or 3 times a day - Sweats no time only during sleep - Have not heard the result or effects of the medicine - In usual health there [waud?] Mother about the same Betsey La Sure takes care of her & should think very good help - Susan A. was in her school; not so large as at first has between 30 & 40 scholars some rogues Have reed 2 letters from Melissa since I saw thee we have given up looking for her this season Harriet has the ague every other day right smart she says - The business is nearly suspended for the present owing to scarcity of money at the west or that which is good - no news have the monotony of a factory village

In relation to temperance affairs Ann E. says tell thee we are temperate drinkers & hope to [reucaiu?] so should think by the shape of thy letter thou hadst robbed those little worms of a good [hom?] from the [conteuls?] of the cider barred pictured in thy imagination

a part of thy letter being written one side up & a part the the other & it would need some one warily in the same predicament to keep track unless it is some new fash -ion & if it is we have not learned it yet Hope thy Cranium will get straightened when the answer to this is penned so that we may follow thy varied throughts with less trouble over the next sheet - a bitter advice perhaps would be good on both sides & they [thas?] give should be willing to receive - It needs a great deal of conciliation for persons when they become help meets through life to bear & forbear - It is a great thing to say what any one will & will not do before having any experience - I think we may all say we have seen the effects & consequences of that one thing - It produces animosity & discord in all stages of society & the family circle - For my part I have thought much of an anecdote I once read of 2 children at school a brother & sister sitting on the same bench the brother struck the sister it produced a spirit of anger in her to raise her hand for realiation the teacher discovered her hand raised & says "Stop kiss him" she did so the brother seeing her requiete [him?] so differently it produced feelings which subdued him she repeated ithe commenced sobbing she took her handkerchief & wiped his eyes he was sorry for his infliction upon her & she gratified in having winned him so effcetually - Were enough of this spirit cultivated throughout the universe society in general would be what it is not there would be sweetness & peace in the family circle the discord among notions would cease

scripture testimony verified "the sword converted into praising books & nations would learn war no more" It is necessary for us to be cautious in all our movements temperate in all things & not condem for an [officer?] when we ourselves may guilty of worse things - Am reminded of another anecdote of two officers of different nations meeting one says to the other you fight for honor & I fight for money the other makes this [laconic?] reply man is more apt to fight for that he has not if the coat does fit very snug thou must put it on We are to apt to fit the coat & hear for other people (Enough of this at this time) See to it thou hayest me down for I trust none should be glad to receive it more punctual than I have returned vice versa - I expect to be in New York next week & think it very probably I shall take ale & wine in preference to the water there if th[hole in paper] will come here could give thee wine & cider if would if not no compulsion Ann E says come & see us & I say so too dont forget it If time & opportunity present, shall call on the same time during the season Hannah is so but will say she does not look as delicate as anson Laphamy boy she is out doors in the sun nearly one half of the time David Ray & his wife were here last 6th day & staid over night with their youngest boy their 2nd boy is much better than for months past Have heard nothing from thy folks since I saw them wrote thy father sometime ago All in usual health [shout?] the 4th [ucst?] at the desk all day & e

Respectfully thine &e

A. F. Dickinson

Curtisville Ms July 13th

ch[?]

18 3/4

1839

Susan B. Anthony New Rochelle N.Y.

Received Monday the 15th

From uncle [Nse.?]

D Anthony's letters

Centre Fully 7 [?] 12 . 1839 Dear Susan Thy Leter of the 7 to Aaron was this day Jantte the old Mansion thy Mother + self are intending to go to the old meeting tomorrow that we may see thy Misthers hear more partion lar[k?] from the shool send our letters foudard Sundy while Small trinkets More pleased to learn of thy contentment in the Shool + do hope that no pains will be Spared on thy part to [infroul?] the minds of those committed to thy [chossn?] and also to Share barely thyself in the many invaluable treasures of the mind which I Suppose are now full in thy view - Hannah L is well Suited with her Shool has about fifteen Shallow [?] 12/ & I has to fly around some - there are some measly to get for travelers about evry day - M board four of our Carpenters + [huv?] of [Coreys knew?] - Bill is now quite high - the wheather [uncomnony?] wet at Battervill they had a hail Storm a fud weeks [S?] say two. that make 1800 light Stass in that [?] 60 oz 70 out of our former Mansion - ours are repaird. Curtis Coles + [Hne?] M Leans Crops nearly Spoiled any ploughing up Some of their corn for Buck Wheat Some hail Stones mesurd 5 1/2 inch [?] these accompese in with a hot of others the time of heus eggs + clows to Robbin. eggs - all thrown with a tremendious gale of wind -

In the Bar Daniel [R?} sells a multitude of good and harmless drinks and eatables but none to make drunk [Nuncle?] [Benjamin?] Read Brother to Father Read who resides in Allegany [County?] left here this morning for Adams. he very much resembles Grandfather Saw Mill in [?] [plight?] all [is?] operated well. are now repairing Barn and sheds. Carpenter been some three weeks. No trouble from that official [class?] or the old affairs yet. Theordore Stevens came into the front stoop the other evening and without the least provocation commenced in battle with fist and nails Succeeded in getting me upon the floor and pounded on but did not hit me fairly at any one blow. he was complained of on behalf of the people and find 25 dollars A process before the Supreme court is now under way for my own damage which is put at 3000 dollars. It is thought by all that such a call in that court will not be trifled with He was well [teaed?]. [G?] Mother Anthony the first of [Cost?] which was same as [?] some time past Our friend, West all well We are trying to get a Post Office at this Place but do not know whether we shall succeed or not.

New Rochelle [November?] 14 1839 First day morning.

Esteemed A.

Thy letter of of the sixth [?] was recieved on the tenth and most acceptably too, though not from the paternal roof yet from one who condesends to relate the particulars concerning that dearly loved spot called home. As to formalities I do not accuse myself of having participated in them, no, not in the least, therefore the caution was not demanded. Thou spoke of my home sick feelings, I acknowledge I have thought much of home and friends, but yet I do do not attribute these feelings to that distressing cause. Indeed to feel that we have a friend to whom we can frequenty write and freely express our feelings, is an unspeakable relief to the spirits and a blessing for which we cannot feell too grateful. But I cannot agree with the sentiments that communications from friends increase this malady (as thou art pleased to call it) at least with me, for to the contrary a letter, when my mind is depressed, seems to soothe those bitter feelings. I am happy to hear that H is pleased with her school and hope she will endeavor to do justice by her pupils, which of late, I am not [more?] persuaded than before cannot be done without the aid of a higher power and better judge than enervate [praise?].

[Right side of document, marked with number 2 ]

This has been a cool and rainy day. I feel quite motherly now a days, having the care of a family of 5 children myself and one domestic [?], Every thing so far has been agreeably to my wishes But it is no very small task I assure thee to take the responsibilty that now devolves on me.

Did not rise early enough this morning to finish and send this important letter, therefore was obliged to leave it until to morrow morning. This has been another rainy day. Can it be possible that this is the 15th of the month, dear me Fall will be here before I shall be aware and I shall with a joyful heart be sailing up the Hudson with the pleasing prospect of once more visiting my home if nothing occurs to blast this blooming hope. Where are our folks have they entirely forgotten to write Please tell Father a line from him and Mother would be most joyously accepted; notwithstanding he is no longer Post Master I hope he will not entirely forget to write. I called at at F. Brown the Post masters last night. he asked me who this post-master was that wrote to me. I answered him as well as I could and he said it was a very convinient way. I said yes. Just ask Dr. Corliss if he wants some abolition scholars, tell him they are handsome and sick and every thing that is amiable and good but the stick is they are black. G.P. spoke in her last [?] G [Portens?] visiting New Rochelle this month he will have to come ere long if he does

Susan B.

[Left side of document, beginning from reverse side, marked with number 3]

P.M. Theodore has really met with quite an accident. I should think his pride (if he has any) would be mortally wounded I feel quite anxious to know the decision of the Police. I am now fully convinced of the debased state of Theodores mind and hope this misfortune may prove a sufficient warning for his reformation. I have long thought the antipathy of that family towards ours would in some manner be exposed before the public.

We had quite a noise in New Rochelle last fifth day, for nothing more nor less than that [Malte?] had been visiting a friend of his near this village, and was going to pass though it that morning. A band of music was sent for from the City, and most splendid the music was too. Malte, called at a friendlie house, where a large number called to look at him, as if he were a poppet show. Really a person would have thought some angelic being from the heavens above had descended, for human beings to look upon, to have heard and seen commotion the whole village was in, here was a mother after her children to go and see the great man and there was a school teacher running with one child before and half a dozen behind her, but where was I, why I, by mustering a little self government conluded it would be as well for me and my family to remain at home and suffer the President to pass along in peace without beholding his noble face. He was to dine at Washington Irvings near Tarry Town and then to proceed to his native home. Malte drinks wine therefore I do not like him as that past

[Writing in the center of the document, perpendicular to the left and right sides, marked with a number 4]

I have just recieved a letter from [?] [A?] [J?] Dickenson, and such a dressing as he has given me for talking to about wine and cider as can't be beat by any body, the quantity of blackgaurd can't be measured but hardly, but I guess it is tit for tat with [us?]. He says he was at grandfathers about three weeks ago, grandmother about as she had been. I do sincerley hope our folks will not by and by begin to think wine is harmless and therefore they can offerit to travellers but what have I written that or are they not strong as some in the [faith?] than myself. I wonder if the Battenville and Comstall folks are as puzzled as to [?] out my letters as Uncle A. J. says he was but it is sometimeshard work to read the truth.

More about the President

1839 FREE Aaron M. McLean [P.M.} Battenville Washington Co. NY

New Rochelle Jun 21.1337 First daymorning

Esteemed Although I have received no letter from you this or rather last week, I last night apenede most a precious packages of letter, billets, raisins, cegar [?] malotres etc. from the old masions, ^al C. Fralls. [?] P cried & laughed, felt glad & sorry all together. P also secured a paper from P., last Second day morning, when P put the last letter in the office. [P?] seems as if P can hardly be sufficiently [Hurrkful?], for the ma^n y messages of live, I have, since my stay in Rochelle, received from my most dear friends in C. F. & B. With respect to the Theodore scrape. I do not exactly understand Father, about the firing husing; who received the sum of the fine on behalf of community? & who is to receive that ^for which, he , Theodore is [?] now before the supreme court, if I should be decided against him ? Do let me know ^the particulars relative to the [decisiory?] as [loan?] as convenienly - I very much upset I could not have seene Uncle B. Reade [?] would have seemed like once m[?] beholding the [sainter?] form of that dear Grand [?]ther, who left the shade of earth & winged his way to those brighter sealing where [happened?] dwells without alloy when this heast was far away from the loved home circle so apart from all convexing, &are one lene Sisters, who helped to cheer ^those lonely ^house of separation but now I have no loved sister with ^to whom I can freely open all my heart & in whom to confide all my little grief, I can place a great deal of confidence of E. yea almost the same as if she were a sister, yet she is not one that makes the difference Tell D. R. by all means, to avoid smashing cigars, for I would not have smoke or how to [hacea?] for under an circumstances. I thank him for my presents.