A Letter written on Feb 17, 1840

Providence Feby 17th 1840

[Sent to Juliet Blanding]

Inclosed you have Ten dollars [no longer with the letter] I had intended to have forwarded it all before this and should have if I could have collected where I have it due, last week I paid out one hundred and ninety and then expected to have been able to forward you what you want before the week was out but we cannot make any calculation on money here unless it is in your our hand I send you this that you may know you are not forgoten [sic] and will forward the remainder in a few days, the most of the money I paid out last week went for a Pew in the new meeting house the money near obliged to be raised to pay the Carpenters for their work or I should not have neglected you

Your Aunt Elvira Carpenter departed life on the ninth of this instant she had been a failing for some month[s] but was not considered to be in amidiate [sic] danger until the thursday [sic] before she died

You see I date from Providence when I left home I did not expect to write you to day and will particulars in my next.

Your Mother Brothers and Sisters at home are all well and I expect Susannah & Elizabeth are

You must excuse the shortness of my letter for it is most night and a very muddy road home.

And must Subscribe myself your affectionate father
James Blanding