Harriet (McNeil) Pepple - Janurary 29, 1865 - Lancaster, OH

Lancaster Jan 29nth 1865

Dear Sister

I have thought for some time I would write to you but have been very busy this winter we have a large family and Angie is away teaching her school is twelve miles from home she has been gone three weeks was at home last Sunday she dont like it where she is but has to make the best of now she has commenced we have five boarders besides our own family and it keeps me busy to keep the house in order I have a very good girl but she cant do anything out of the kitchen but I dont suppose you care about that we are all well I have had very good health this winter I am quite fleshy Ella and Kate go to school Ella grows so fast that I am afraid she will be larger than I am. We are going get some pictures of her as soon as we can and will send you one Kate’s is a very poor picture I dont like them one bit We got [?] and [?] [?]. I think they are very good I would like to have yours very much I was looking at Maggies today she looks so sweet I thought I would like to see the original. Tell Hanna and Marcia I would like to hear from them very much. I think the McNeil House is doing a land office business they will have to build a condition if they increase much more give my love to all inquiring friends and Mrs Goll in particular are they in Urbanna now. Have you you seen John Matthews wife and how do you like her have they bought out towards your house? Has Chapin given up selling his farm? if he has not I think he had better I suppose you feel quite pleased to think you have got your house finished the cold weather we have had more cold weather this winter than we have had for many years before we have had three weeks good sleighing and a prospect of more snow I like such weather much better than [?] I hard from Akron last week Mother is well Mary says she takes a great deal of comfort with the Boy they think their boy is a great child weighed 17 1/4 pounds when he was three months old they call him Grant Georges family are well what did you do on Christmas we went out to dinner on Saturday and had a Turkey at home on Sunday we had a very pleasant time but amidst it all I felt sad there was one missing that would of been so happy with the rest of us. What is [?] folks doing this winter give my love to Mag and Jane when you see them I must quit for supper is most ready and its [sic] getting [?] [?] soon and I will try and [?] better next time we all join [?] [?] love to you all

Yours affectionately

Harriet A Pepple