Fanny Knapp Austin writes her children from Halfe way Brook, January 11, 1859

I thought you might enjoy seeing a page of the letter Fanny wrote her children.

Halfeway Brook
January 11, 1859

Dear Children,

You must excuse my not writing sooner. I have been waiting for something pleasant to write but sicknefs and glome over spreads our Neighborhood. Our house had escaped untill yesterday, Henry was brought from Moscow very sick. …had the Doctor. He pronounced it the Billous feavor, but he is better this morning. I feal in hopes it is a lite case. It is the prevaling eppidemic and the scarlet fevor. The Doctor says he has 40 patients down with them and many that will not recover.

My health is about as it was. My cough is better, my appitite is good if I do not work to hard. A little work goes a good way with me. I have not been able (to) go any more except when they come after me. Mr. Stage took me up to his house. I was there over a week and would have stayed longer, but Mrs. Stage would wait on me so much I thought that I would come home, but it has been so cold. I was sorry but Old Mrs. Eldred makes my fire in the morning and washes for me and I knit and work for her. I have not been up to Mr. C P Eldreds. They have been down for me several times. Last nite, Mr. Eldred was here. He said he would send for me. I promised to go and stay all the week. They have some gloves they want manufactured. I will turn over a new leaf. My hand shakes so bad I can not write much.

I had a verry plesent New year to Mr. Stages. We had good vituals and good company. George was home and Albert. They inquired after you and Lucy? George said I must give his compliments and best respects to you both. Albert said he would rather fetch them himslefe. Mrs. Stage said you promised to write to her.

George and Albert was up to Mr. Clarks on New Year Day. He said Mary was grieving about you going away, but Clarry was in good spirits and found it was his birthday and when he started for home, she gave him such a snowbawling, it was a caution. They heard I was there and would have come, but it was so slipery they gave it up.

You would like to ? from Mr. Kytes donation. Well they must have had a very agreeable time at evening. All the Gentleman except their sons was Mr. Squire Clark and Mr. George Eldred. He went over to Mr. Mannys and got Catharine and sister Polly and fetcht them up to Stages after George. But was diappointed and had to wait on them both.

Isaac Bradley was hear last evening. He has been driving team for Mr. Gohara. They tried to get him to take Liza Mariah. They offered him the team and would pay her way. He tolde them when he wanted to go, he was able to pay his own fare. He is sick of the whole of them. He talks of coming to New York in a few weeks. Mr. Waterman has made him a good offer.

Wednesday morning
I waited to see how Henry got along. He is better. Mr. CPP Eldred is a calculating to come to New York next week and I want you to be shure and come with him. If he does not come soon, you must come the first opportunity. The sooner the better. Perry and Ann was up here and said he would ? $1 a week. They have got Priscilla Killpatrick.

If you come back, we will go and stay untill you are better suited. Ann is poorly. She thinks she cannot live until spring. Give my love to all. Tell Mortimer to write and I will tell him all about the weddings. Oliver Dunlap and Caty Devenport was married on New Year. Their is 3 or 4 more such a coming soon. Tell Adelina I will answer her soon.

No more at present. I remain your mother with affection.

Fanny Austin

Dear son

If you will assist Laura something to get back with, I think she will pay you when she can earn it. I was not pleased with her coming. If she had laid out her money for clothing, it would have been better, but I thought she would not be contented untill she tried it. I found she was working too hard, but Mr. CPP Eldred is coming soon. He expects next week and she must be ready to come with him. Without fail, we all miss her much.
No more at present. I remain your loving mother

Fanny Austin

2 Responses to “Fanny Knapp Austin writes her children from Halfe way Brook, January 11, 1859”

  1. Mary Austin-Mom Says:

    I wonder if the Mr Stage’s name is pronounce Sta-ge? There was a
    place in Eldred that belonged to Sta–ges. Mary Austin

  2. Mary Austin-Mom Says:

    This was very interesting. Mary Austitn

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