Nelson McNeil - February 1, 1869 - New York City, NY

New york Feb the 1, 1869

Der sister and Brother

I thught I would write and let you no that I am in the land of liveing yet and I am well at presant and famley to I am boating yet I dnt boat a nuf last summer and I am lightern grain a boat the harbor this winter and I hope that it wont be soe long a gin but that we can here from you Dan is liveing at Chittennango this winter sister hannah is here with ous now and she is a going to Carlile agin sone she sed that Chapin health was varry por and I hope to here that he is better and if you will write to me and I will [illegible] it and not wait so long a gin I have got four children a liveing I have lost thee gurls ouer two last is boyes and if you will send your picters to me I will git mine and famley and send in return it has bin so long sense that I have rote a famley letter that I have for got how and we send ouer love to you all and If we cant meate a gin fase to fase in this world I hope that we will mit in the next

From

N McNeil

Direct youers letters

in care of Jenneson

and Robe No 10 Bridge St

New York

Citey

you did not tell me whether to direct to Champaig or Urbana when you wrigt to N tell him whare to direct) Capt N McNeil the rest as he tells you

New York Feb 1st 1869

Dear sister + Family

I seat my self to finish Nelsons letter you see I have treeed him at last in New York I have had a sail on East river this morning from the Brooklin navy yard down to Atlantic basin whare N is a going to take on a load of corn I went out on deck had a fine view of the navy yard then another fine view goverment Iland It is butifull, but the greatest trouble is cant see the city for the houses I have benn here with N over two months I start to night for Carlisle then I shall go to sister Marthas in Dee I wrote to Hannah for her to come to New York and make us a visit she wrote rite back + for me to come there she did beg so hard for me to come there if I had the money I would have went I could hardly give it up some times I allmost see my self there but I had to give it up

Thomas wrote + urged me vary hard to come he said I never would be sorry if come and if I come he would pay my fare back when I wanted to [hasck?]

Marcia I should have answerd your letter before this but I had gone to the citty before it came it was sent to me I was so glad to here your father was better I hope he is still better I have had a pleasent winter so far when I up in the Country I shall have some slay rides it has benn here like the Illinois winters I cant tell you much to day as I am hurried to day as I am a going to night

when you write gain direct to Southvally then I will write you a letter now you see that your uncle Nelsn is answerd + if you do it your self he will be glad to here from you all he has a daughter 16 yers old her name is Marcia they have one eleven her name is [Ionna?] Isabell the folks says she looks like your Mother use to did

my love to Mrs [Fowl?] tell her I will write to her soon my respects to every body my love to all your folk I cant name them all write me good long letter tell me all the news I want to here from you all

H McNeill

your uncles wife name is Martha