Foxboro June 25th, 1850.My Dear M. Ann
We received your letter last night and as I am not very busy this morning I thought I would commence one to you, though I may not finish it for several days. I am very sorry to hear of the sad state of things in your beloved Seminary, how can it be that young ladies who have enjoyed such advantages as you all have done who are there, can be so lost to all sense of propriety as those must be who are unwilling to submit to the requirements of that institution? I do not know the particulars to be sure, but I have confidence in those self sacrificing teachers and presume they would not require any thing very unreasonable. O, Mary Ann how can you ever wish to be a teacher? 'tis such a responsible thankless task! only think to have those that you are toiling so conscienciously [sic] for rise up in rebellion against you! it would be more I think than you could bear; and yet such in all probability would be the case if you were faithful. Mark the future course of those insubordinate ones. "He that ruleth his own spirit is better than he that taketh a city"
Friday, I did intend to have sent this so that you would have gotten it by saturday but one thing and another has prevented it yesterday day I had the sick head-ache and did not feel like writing; the children are very busy strawberrying these days so that they do not feel like writing Sarah & Aunt Beth have got off a letter to John to day which makes only two since he has been away so you see that he does not fare any better than you in that respect you know how it is when you are at home one little thing comes up after another to take up the time and attention and we put off letter-writing as we do too many other more important things till a more "convenient season" I believe you commenced some when at home that you did not finish[.]
I do not think of any thing new or interesting amongst us our Sabbath school was reorganized last sabbath the same officers as last year with the exception of Mr. Grover who has resigned Mr. Shepherd is the 1st, & Mr Bicknell 2nd disperintendent. [sic] I have very reluctantly assumed the great responsibility of teacher to a class of young ladies I feel very incompetant [sic] in every respect to appear before them as their teacher feel the need of being taught myself hope you will pray that I may be by the spirit of God I have the class that Mrs Genl Sumner had last year the rest of the teachers and classes remain as usual except Miss Barrows she I believe has left, or is going to leave town her class has Mrs L Carpenter for teacher it is expected Miss B. Knapp will have quite soon. "Lizzy" spent night before last with us she & Miss Ellis have 2 weeks vacation commencing to night.
I suppose you will think I might make a long story about Bridgewater of Hanson but I do not know as I can your Grandfather is very feeble he seemed very dull and stupid indeed lay in bed the most of the time when we were there we had a letter from Aunt C. last night she says he has not been as well since we were there seems as he did last April quite irrational thinks he is not at home &c Uncle E's children have had the mups James has been quite sick with them I feel very sorry for Astin and Willie to have them but suppose likely they will many have been quite sick with them (by the way Dr Larkin's wife is dead she died in consequence of having the mumps)
The Hanson people seem very natural those that are left death has made great inroads there since I was there last.
You recollect of telling us of some bride an[d] groom calling at S. Hadley & inquiring for you; it was she that was Lucy Ann Briggs now Mrs Noyes of Abington I saw her in Hanson she said she was treated very politely I was much interested in looking over the Seminary &c was sorry you were not there.
Some of our people have been engaged for a few days past in looking out grounds for a cemetary [sic] have decided upon a lot near the village somewhere not far form Mr Wm. Paysons
Susan spent the day here day before yesterday & Anna & Charlotte & Ellen the afternoon S. seems very comfortable for her; Ella Louisa is not very [..]
They are just going up town & I hasten to direct this & send it along so good bye. with much love from all to all
from Mother