Letter from Charlotte and Mary Cowles to Samuel Cowles, 1833 August 14.

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    Farmington August 14th 1833


    My Dear Brother


    Unpleasant as my feelings are with regard to writing, I could not lose so good an opportunity. I think you are quite inexcusable for not answering my letter before this, and we have been disappointed in not hearing from you. I understand that Mr Richards has sent for Mr Lewis to go to Windsor again. Mother hopes he will accept the invitation, but it is yet uncertain whether he will nor not. I have quite exhausted my wit in trying to think of any thing more to write, and have received little assistance from Miss Chloe, who says, “Tell Samuel they are charmingly out for clocks out to Bristol” Mrs Bronson has returned from Saratoga. She says the rail-road cars pass close to the door of the Hotel every day. She went with a party to Ballston on the rail-road, and said it seemed more like flying than riding. The most distinguished personage at the springs, was the belle of Congress Hall, a lady from Pensacola. She is about 20, speaks fluently French, Spanish, and Italian, and plays the harp, guitar, and piano. Mr Van Buren is expected at Saratoga, if he is not already there; and the report is, that this lady intends to catch him if she can, as the lady of Woodbury of courting the President. – I suppose you knew that Miss Eunice G. Treadwell is now Mrs Sparrowhawk, and her brother Thomas was recently married. They are new in town, and also John Perry, who has just made us a call. I suppose you have forgotten him, although I had entirely, as it is 7 years since he left town, and 4 years since he has been here. Father and mother think him the pleasantest young man they have seen for a long time. Mother requested him to write to you; he said he should like to.



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    I hope you have answered Isaac’s long letter, which he told me had written to you. Aunt Lucy is now in Berlin, with all her children excepting Ann, Julia, and Grace, who are in Boston with their father. We expect Aunt over here this week, to make their final visit, as they intend going to Boston this month. – I shall pardon you if you are so negligent another time, & shall expect a letter in a few days.


    Your affectionate sister


    Charlotte L. Cowles


    Monday Afternoon


    If my dear son knew how sadly his mother has been disappointed in not receiving a letter the last week, I think he would exert himself to let us know immediately how he is, and where he is, and what he is doing. I want to know if you enjoy good health, whether your business confines you so much that there is no leisure evening for writing home. I am sure if you were any ways sensible how much pleasure it gives me, it would be no task to write. But, my dear child, time flies, and is rapidly bearing us on with it, to that eternity which will, sooner or later, open to our view. Do we duly appreciate the value of this probationary state, the worth of time? What beautiful lines in your last Chronicle on that important subject. We had a most animated discourse from our dear pastor yesterday, from these words. “Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live”; occasioned by the sudden death of one of our inhabitants. He said while he was addressing his people the Sabbath before from these most emphatic words, “Work while the day lasteth” he was seized with the fatal disease which on the third day terminated his earthly career, leaving a wife and child to mourn his sudden departure in the world of spirits. And Oh! What a change in one short week, to be taken from the busy and active scenes of life, and introduced into the presence of our Judge. He was Col. L. Wadsworth’s tenant, and much lamented by him./p>

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    I have been interrupted by a call from Mr. Ellsworth and son from Windsor. The former, you know, was classmate with your father in College. He has brought his son to this town, and placed him under the care of Austin and his clerk. He is about your age. His father is evidently anxious as to the result of this trial. His eldest son received his education at Yale College. After he was through, went a whaling voyage, and has lately embarked for England. And now, my dear son, I enjoin it upon you to write as often as possible. Tell me whether you have got a winter coat, & when you will come and see us again. I wish it might consist with Mr. Richards’ engagements to send you this way before winter, but be that as it may, it will be equally agreeable to my dear son, and to his affectionate mother, M.S. Cowles. –


    [along the left margin of the last page:]


    We have got two new cousins one at Uncle Solomon’s and the other at Uncle Timothy’s. Both boys, and both named Horace.


    M.S. & C.L. Cowles



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    Mr. Samuel S. Cowles


    Windsor, Vt


    Care of Mr. H Wadsworth


    [annotated by Samuel Cowles: M.S. & C.L. Cowles/Aug.17, 1833.]


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