Mary (Chapin) Burt - December 30, 1860 - Unk.
[margin: Miss Mary Chapin was then that]
Dennis Father long longer Letters
Dear Father & Mother, Mother S since
It is a long time since I wrote to you and a longer one since I received any letter from you. It is almost impossible for me to write any more for the children make so much confusion that I scarcely know what kind of marks I am making, however I will make an attempt and write a little. Thomas is living in Illinois, Fulton Co. He went there last fall. He talked of renting a coal bank till spring. He does not like it there very well, not well enough to settle there, says, “there is so many shaking with the ague. The weather changes about six times in twenty four hours.” He went with the intention of going to Missouri [in small superscript: four hours] or Kansas, but on account of the drought and hard times, [in small superscript: 25] said he at present could not go any farther and would try another place. I do not know [in small superscript: day] what his opinion is now, I did not get any letter last [in small superscript: of] week. Uncle Maurice & Aunt Sallie has been here. Aunt [in small superscript: May] Sallie went home three or four weeks ago, brags on her place [in small superscript: 1861] wonderfully, likes it so much better than Urbana. [in small superscript: 1861] (I can’t see the lines) Uncle Maurice drank a great deal before he left, there were afraid he would have the delirium [illegible] , he acted so, one night. pity he ever came here, said he was doing so well there. Jane Smith is at home now. I do not know how long she is going to stay here. She says that there were no vegetables raised in Kansas this year. She is going to take some things home with her. Her children are as fat as pigs, said they had never been sick a day in their life. Where is Hannah? have not heard from her since Margaret Carle was here. I wonder if she would read the letter if I would write to her now. I have almost a mind to try it, and see if she will answer it. If I did not have so much trouble when I was writing, I would write more than I do, but the room is so small and when they are all playing I can not write (They have all gone to the land of Nod now). Since writing the first I have received a letter from Tommy. He seems to like it better than when he wrote before, but I think that he likes Ohio about as well as Ill.
Josephine and myself & children are living by ourselves now. Father has gone to Columbus, Mother has gone to Newark to stay with Welling two or three weeks. I expect you would not know Fene now; she is the largest of the family Lizzie has grown some since we were out West. She had learned more the past year than she ever did in all that she has went to school. She would like to see you all, especially Denny. The baby is crying and must quit till next time.
Dec. 30/60
This is the third time that I have commenced writing) I feel very lonesome tonight as I am all alone. The children are asleep and Lizzie is in to Mr. Taylor’s I wish we had a home and was settled for I feel as uneasy as a fish out of water. I do not know where, or what next - I would like to drop in and see you awhile tonight, it would do me good to chat a little, as I can talk better than I could write, and then I could see how you was and what you were doing. I think you must have taken “mortal offence” and dropped all correspondence. Hannah & Oscar might write if you do not have an opportunity. Where is Marcia? I would like to hear from her, how she is getting along &c.
Uncle Maurice and Aunt Sally tells their stories about Urbana & its doings but how much of it is genuine I can’t say. I suppose that you have heard of Ellen Burt’s & Clara Johnson’s weddings long ago. Mrs. Nora Glover has a young son I never hear from Ange and Harriet so I can say nothing about them. May McNeil lives in town. Ella lives with her. There has been quite a change in that family since you left. I was over to Uncle John’s and eat roast turkey with Jane & Lib. Christmas
Jane expects Mr. Smith in February. He is going to bring out some Indian ponies with him to speculation. Jane would rather live in Kansas than here and if the times get better I suppose they will return and I do not know but what they will if it does not. Give my love to all that wants it and keep as much as you want yourself. Write whenever you can, if you cannot some of the rest can I would like to know how you are getting along, yours aff.
Mary L. Burt
[NOTE: The remainder of the page is covered in what appears to be signature practice.]
Mary L Burt
Miss Burt
can if you cannot some of the rest can
1861
Dennis Chapin
Mr Thomas Mr Thomas Burt of Coshocton
Mr Thom Mrs Thomas Burt
Mr Thomas Burt
Mary Burt Mrs Mary L Burt
Lousia Joshua M D
Mrs M L Burt M D C C C L X I 1861
Mrs Thomas Burt M D C C C L X I 1861
Mr Thomas Burt Esq
Mary L Burt
[illegible] nice for Mary L Burt
[illegible]