[A few paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]East. Bloomfield. Feb. 1st 1855.
My dear Deborah.
I am afraid that you will not be glad to read my letter, after so long neglecting your letter, written from your Uncle in West Stockbridge, but the fact is, that I have not taken my pen but twice since you saw me, so that you are not more neglected than others. We are usually well this morn (it is only 7. o'clock) except Mother who is complaining some, though engaged making butter, as she always does that you know. I little thought when you left us that the months would roll round till Feb. ere I wrote one letter to you or the rest of the friends in Litchfield country, but you are well aware how we were situated, in regard to help, when you was [sic] with us in the summer, and that little or no work, was done except get the meals, and the washing from week to week, that we had no time for making the needle move: so that when my own health gave out and we were obliged to procure help in the kitchen, it was more than I could do, to set down and endeavor to put thoughts on paper, for any of my friends that are absent[.]
This may appear strange to you as you have not heard one word about it, for no one knew that I was anything but lazy, except myself, for I could eat and sleep as well as ever and made an endeavor at work of some kind or other, but it is but little that I have accomplished in anything. I would promise myself that when so much was done, then I would write some letters but found that when my task was accomplished my strength was all gone so far as thinking of writing a letter was concerned. You are aware that Elmina was married according to what she told you I suppose and by that event we were thrown out of our usual tailoress to do our winter sewing for the boys. I made an attempt to do it myself but found it too hard, and got Miss [...] Chase to come and make the panteloons and vests. She was here three weeks and we had a merry time of it: Cyene's [?] boy came to town the first day of Nov. and is consequently 3 months old this morn, it is a great, nice looking, fat, baby. (Mrs Hamlin says lovely thing) and just as good as can be, and C. is very well. I had intended to go there today, but Mother thinks she is not well enough to go with me.
I have made an endeavor this winter to have Mother go with me visiting, have succeeded some. Cousin Jane is in Michigan this winter. The cousins are all well I believe and some of them have been visiting. Cousin Olive has been to Michigan with Mr Sprague I am not sure that she is at home yet though Mr Sprague came home on Monday. Politics have made great innovations this winter among the young so that you can hardly find a young man that will not say I do not know and it makes a great difference in the social circle. There are but three that I know but what are some well [?] connected with this Know nothing lodge movement: these are our Joseph, Henry (he is a [...] now) and Horace Simmons. I mean in the circle in which we went in last sinter and whenever they meet there is not much else talked except politics, which is very interesting you know. I have made a great blot on my paper you see and hope that you will forgive me if I persist in sending it is it [...] like a great task to think of copying it. I am as much interested in my Bible Class as ever our lesson now is in Romans and I find it almost as interesting as Hebrews. Mr Monson takes great pains to prepare the lesson from sabbath, to sabbath.
It is nearly time for the boys to go to school and I will not write any more. Give my love to all the family, and also to Uncle Logan tell them that I would like to read letters from them even if I do not like to write them. Write soon and let me know where Margaret is for I have not heard from her since you left.
Excuse all mistakes and receive this as a token of the love I bear to you.
From your affectionate cousin.
Eliza. Steele.[A separate sheet of paper in different handwriting was found with this letter.]
Do wish me to write you that she has your thimble her sister found it I think in her Reticule. It came there some how through for mistake, & says that I may return it to you when I go to S. Hadley next year, & I will then bring it to you. Please answer as soon as you receive this. Dora sends her love.
Please address Miss Clara H. Hannum Monson Mass. Box No 12.