A Letter written on Oct 5, 1879

[The envelope indicates the letter is for Emma but the salutation is to Emma's mother, Mehitabel Howe Cogswell. Perhaps Mehitabel was living with her daughter Emma at the time.]

E Wilton Oct 5. 79

My dear mother

Another year with all its changes its joys and sorrows has passed so many have passed the narrow-bound never more to be seen this side eternity yet has God in his goodness spared you to your children and friends not only that but he has given you (for one of your great age) a comfortable degree of health for which we all feel to bless his holy name, if we can only turn our minds from our own troubles, and our own selves towards God and all he has done for us if we can but realize some thing of his great love to us how much happier we should be. I often think of the [...] you use to give to keep all his goodness before us and all our troubles behind us then shall we have wherewith to praise him all the time I know you have tried to live in the way and have been richly blessed

How gladly would I come to see you on this birthday were it possible but I shall be with you much in mind all the children would love to see you so much and wish they had some thing for grandma dear mother will you take the will for the deed? I hope brother C and Mary will be there they said they should certainly visit you then.

Mina is in Wakefield I expect she come home with Addie she will remain but a few weeks short time dont know how long but S- says she will not leave Wakefield so we do not expect to see her she may change her mind hope she will call to see you Sam remembered his father with a nice cane and his mother with a handsome pearl ring fine settings that was very pleasant but I rather have had less and he brought the children some little token they all felt it so much it spoils the pleasure intended for me. We have not heard from Frank since he went to [...] except by the way of S- he called on them there. I think perhaps that is one reason M- does not visit us a little dreading to see us but she need not feel so I should not mention F to her unless she did to me none of the children come with her - her mother will have some thing to do while she is away. Too look after them and care for Annie. I suppose you know Paiges wife has another boy so the Ballard name will be kept up if their lives are spared.

S- is busy with harvesting his potatoes turn out well for numbers but are rotting so badly I dont know as we shall have any long our sweet corn (like almost every ones) was a very small crop yellow is very good they think but I will not worry for "Our Heavenly Father knows we have need of all these things" he will care for us I know

S- has gone to bed not feeling very well to night Mittie is at work in the corn shop will probably have two or three weeks more Charlie will try it for a week or two if his arms will let him work Gilbert is here a little while. If C- comes ask him if he is not going to send me some peaches. I must say once more a blessing on my dear precious mother and mother dont forget to pray for your Abby and her whole family Gods richest blessing be with you my ever dear mother, all send so much love to all but yourself in particular

Lovingly yours
Abby.