[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Granby March 1. 1844
Dear Cousin,
To be sure we were glad to hear from you of your safe arrival home of your welcome reception and that you found your friends all well and glad too that you have not forgotten your friends in Granby west parish all of whom are well. Grandmother is at her accustomed work every day the rest of us are budgeing [sic] about as usual you know how[.]
This week has been a very busy one Monday washing Tuesday examination of the select school had a very good one indeed wish you had been here to have gone with us as we went in Mrs Eastman Omnibuss 15 of us from this neighbourhood went out together. Lyceum in the evening expected Mr Oviatt to lecture but was disappointed. Question for debate which tends to make the man circumstances or natural talent both I think don't you. Wednesday and Thursday had company Friday meeting all day at the lectur[e] room.
Amelia has been home several days returned yesterday likes her work as well as ever all well at Mr Goodells. Martha has another son two weeks old to day gets along finely Calvin will be well supplied with blacksmiths at this rate won't he? Samuel and Mary get along nicely at Aunt Claras Aunt Pamela comes in to see all their company and now and then fetches in an apple or two specked rot thats clever to be sur[e]
Louisa came home to attend the examination she is very well enjoys her school much has three weeks longer to keep Angeline does not attend school next term which commences two weeks from Wednesday I do not know what she is going to do. Henry I believe is going half the term. Edwin wants very much to go do not know as he will[.] your man does not attend dont you think he had better?
My face has been troubling me again is now well have been able to dress myself ever since last thanksgiving morning. It is now after nine oclock the folks have all gone to bed and I must go too as you know we do not hold to sitting up late when I shall begin this again I cannot tell[.] I do hate to write not because I do not want to hear from you or that I do not want you to hear from us[,] it is for want of ideas. Good night hope you will have a good nights rest and dream as good dreams as I used to like enough I shall dream something worth writing if I do I will tell you.
Well it has got to be Monday again[,] two days has this letter lain still and I dont see as I love to write a bit better to day than I did when I left off but I must write something we have been washing did not get through until noon do not have you to push us ahead like a steam engine. With us it is a cold blustering stormy day was in hopes we were not going to have any more snow but must take it as it comes to be sure.
Mr Pierce has gone to Boston this vacation Mrs. Dexter Dickinson has gone with Nina. The young people have made Mr Bates a visit understand they had a very pleasant time about 100 present did not go myself as we had engaged to go to B. that eve. Saw Cousin Sophronia was very well, M. is delighted with his situation at the south she has $600 a year only two scholars that is doing pretty well.
Uncle and Aunt Pease are very well Sophia has been quite sick for several days is now some better. Cousin Asa has had a letter from Cousin Sophia her eldest daughter is so blind that she has to be led about I feel sorry for her and her mother too she has to work very hard guess they are pretty poor she said they were all well Mr Walker and wife Sarah and Cousin S. came down here one evening we were all gone but Grandmother and Edwin they did not stay long went out to Dea. Asa so we lost that visit. They have had a tea party at B. to raise funds to blind [...] Meeting house raised $100 Fanny was one of the managers they have got a little minister at Mr Griatts.
Mother says have you wrote any thing about me I am going to tell you what she is doing she is on her knees trying to make a box out of that old pastboard that used to be lying about the bedroom when you was here she has on that beautiful wollen [sic] dress of hers no cap on her head. I think you would know her if you should see her.
She says she misses you as much as any of us without it is the boys but I dont now about that I grow poor every day for want of your company to cheer me up I wish you could have stayed here all winter but I suppose E. thinks she has the best right to you and so she has. You did not write one word about Mr have forgot his name was it because it makes you feel so bad or did you forget it I wish you would tell us next time all about it[.] Was that agreeable Mr. Lee a married man? if not perhaps we shall hear of our Cousin Mary in N York City.
Grandmother says she thinks of you pretty after how you look how you act and what you are doing and the like of that. Has Mills fallen in love with that pretty Miss Nancy. How are all the good folks at W. Mr and Mrs Reed Doct Bundy and family have not heard a word from them since you went away, is Trippy Bundy as cunning as ever? our little Bug [?] is [fine] he can sit in lap just as he used to when you was here.
We heard from Ludlow week before last Gilbert Fuller has lost his baby it died with the rattles. pretty child how bad they will feel.
Mrs Jefferson Alden has another son. Franklin is not very well has a caugh complains of his lungs being sore hope he is not going to be sick. I have written all the news I had rather burn this than send it to you hope you will as soon as read[.] Dont let Taylor nor Mills see this they will only make fun of it[.]
Tell Uncle Cold Mrs Taylor is very sick do not think she will live long and Mrs Dex Dickinson also. Mary if you will come down here to night you may havea piece of cold meet before you go to bed
Charles says tell Mary he and Lois get along nicely. There has been parties and sligh rides this winter without number. A. has been to one sleigh ride with Warren Moody[.] Mr. Eneas Moody son Mr. Root has left town Lucima Smith is getting ready to be married[.] Franky they say has got the Mitten Mr. Hunter the fugitive slave lecture here this week Friday eve at the Town House.
Uncle Sam Uncle Thin and Pepanas [?] have been quite sick but are better now. I dont know but I have told you all the news but nothing interesting Oh! the old Bug has got a calf. Please let us hear from you soon. All send love too all.
Receive this from your aff Cousin G. Smith