Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Lt 17, 1860

Hall, Lucinda

Battle Creek, Michigan

October 24, 1860

Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 428.

Dear Lucinda [Hall]:

We received yours and your mother’s letters in due time. We felt anxious to hear from you sooner and felt some like scolding you because you did not write. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 1

I am now gaining strength as fast as could be expected; stay in the sitting room and eat in the dining room. We have just weighed our nameless one. He weighs twelve pounds and a half—good weight. He is fat and healthy. The small clothes we made for him can but just touch around him; shall have to exchange for the larger set very soon. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 2

It is very difficult to get any kind of help in the house. After Sister B. [Benedict] left, we found we could not get along. We hired C. [Caroline] Grant about a week, and Addie Jones is now doing our work for a week or two. She was already on her way to the cars to go to Burlington to her mother. Jane insisted and she consented to stay one week and has partially promised to stay two. We must have help. Baby has to be tended much of the time. I am too weak to tend him. Jenny is an excellent hand to tend baby, yet she cannot do this and the housework too. When I get strong I shall try to do without a girl, but fear we shall have to whether we want to or not before that time. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 3

We miss you very much. I have felt so lonesome that I could not prevent two or three crying spells. When I get stronger I hope I shall bear up a little better. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 4

Sister Abbey, thank you for your sympathy and kind regard for me. I wish I were with you while James is absent, but this is useless. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 5

Mary Loughborough dresses the baby every morning. Jenny sleeps on the lounge as Sister B. did. Brother and Sister B. spent the evening with me last Monday. Had a pleasant interview. They have moved up in the Fults house where Sister Pratt used to live. They have rented their house down street and pay for the Fults house only fifty cents a week for winter and seventy-five in summer. They can rent their house for double this. Brother Frisbie has moved back to the Creek. The children have had no ague since their father left. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 6

I wish I had just such a girl as Lucinda with me this winter. I sometimes despair of ever gaining my strength again. Yet I have committed my case to God. He will order all things aright. Pray for us, for we need help from on high. You are very near to us. May the Lord abundantly bless you all is our prayer. Much love to all the children and your father and mother. I feel disappointed that I could not have had a visit with them myself. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 7

In love. 1LtMs, Lt 17, 1860, par. 8