Mary (Chapin) Burt - July 23, 1865 - Burtsville, IN

Dear Friends at Home,

Received your letter Marcia and was much pleased to hear from home once more. Your Photo came safe and looks [illegible] think you look as though you had [torn] much of a decline yet, (that is) if yo [torn] is a faithful representation. Was glad to [torn] that you all enjoyed good health. I fear [torn] if you have as much rainy weather there as we do here that you may some of you be on the sick list before long. We have had a touch of the “hand of disease” among us during the past week or two. Nearly every family in this [illegible] has been afflicted with the “ague” more or less. I had a few shakes, Willie had it every other day. Tommy has been sick with the billious fever or (as the Doctor terms it) remittant fever. He is a little better now, able to crawl around. Lizzie is still living with Aunt Joe in Delphos She seems to like it there real well.

I expect you have fine gardens out there by this time, peas, beans, cucumbers, beets &c. &c. The bugs are so bad in our garden that many vegetable do not do much good, in fact I do not think any thing with the exception of tomatoes) does as well as in most places. The ground I expect is not very good though the top soil [torn] rich. I was not a little surprised [torn] that you had another added to [torn] ur family; by the way, if you wish to know whether any thing serious has taken hold of me, you must come and see for yourself. I was up to New Haven to spend the Fourth. They had quite a celebration When I came home brought a basket nearly full of currants quite a treat for us in the woods. I went up to Wayne in the evening to see the fire works but those that had seen them before said they were not very good

Was sorry to learn of the death of your excellent neighbor, Mrs. Eaton. Two brothers that are widowers now, unless Mr. T. C. Eaton is married again.

How is Mrs. I do not know her name now Miss Osgood that was. How does your [illegible] thrive by this time? I thought Hannah would be “school marm” before this time but I suppose she is chief maid at home I wonder if she has forgotton the horse back ride we took over to Mr Love’s, that is the last ride I have had. How does Lizzie Love get along now has she become quite a scholar? Tell Hannah McNeil that I do not feel badly scared about her proposal to make a tour to this rural place. I do not think that the spell would last long enough. Wages must be good out there if you can get three dollars a week. Father is still working at his trade and does he keep well and hearty. I thought he was coming out here to see us, but I expect time is money with him and cannot leave. How does the boys get along, and little Maggie, does she sing as much as ever? I suppose she has to rock & sing that baby to sleep.

I was in hopes that I should hear from Oscar ere this. I wrote a letter to him some time ago but received no answer, since that, I have not learned his address. Do you expect him home soon?

There is nothing of much interest transpires here so you must excuse me if this epistle fails in that respect. The saw mill with its accustomed noise, the musquitoes & frogs and the cars constitute the exercises of the day. I expect your Illinois boys are most of them at home by this time. Some rejoicing, and some mourning over the lost ones that will never return. Tell Mr. Compton that I thank him, but I had a few messes of greens here this spring; but I feel some what uneasy about our cabbage crop I am afraid there will not be as many as I can eat, and as for turnips can’t raise them at all; the bugs will eat them up as soon as they peep out of the ground. Now I hope you will not laugh at this paper, for we live in the woods and when we get out of paper cannot get it only by going to Wayne and I thought I would not defer writing on that account as I expected you could read my nonsense just as well on this -. My respects to Mr. & Mrs. McCullough and all the rest of your neighbors. love to all and a kiss to the little ones. - good night - hoping to hear from you soon I remain as ever yours -

M. L. Burt

Mother you must not forget your promise.

Direct to Phelps

Allen Co.

Ind.