Union, Conn.
October 26th, 1897.My dear Susie,-
None of the family went to church Sunday there fore you were disappointed in not getting your regular letter. I shall have a chance to mail this tomorrow if I get it done to-night.
There were four ministers at Mr. Hopkinson's funeral, - Mr. Briggs who took the lead, Mr. Randlett, Mr. McLeod and the minister from Holland. The church was full, every seat occupied. Of course many of the people were strangers coming probably from the Staffords, Westford and Holland. Mr. Noble was obliged to go home before the funeral. The body was left in the church over night and taken Monday morning to New Haven. Mr. Hopkinson was buried in the old Grove St. Cemetery, which you probably remember as it is opposite the Scientific School, and the place where we boarded the first time we were in New Haven.
Miss Hopkinson was alone at the parsonage the last I heard. She has asked if she might stay there awhile. It was so sudden that it will take her some time to plan for the future. She must be very lonely. I must call on her.
The church has had a present of some second-hand hymn-books from Dr. E. P. Parker's church in Hartford. I believe Mrs. Merrick Marcy was the one who asked for them. They came late last week. I should really like to know what books they are, but those who have seen them "didn't notice the title", etc.
I am wondering whether they will sing the hymns in them to the tunes in the old books. I am prepared to believe that they will.
Mrs. Horton and Addie called Saturday afternoon. They had been to the doctor's and also to call on Justitia. Addie looks extremely well and happy. She has a school of seventeen pupils this fall.
Mr. McLeod has arranged with other ministers around here to supply the pulpit at Union gratuitously until the first of January, and let Miss Hopkinson have the money, or rather the salary for the rest of the year. Mr. Randlett preached last Sunday.
The Old Folks Concert is to be given again at West Woodstock soon.
Amanda went after the mail Friday afternoon, and returned safely though much disgusted with Peter's lack of ambition. I asked her just now what I should write to you and she said "Tell Susie cone [sic] home, eat up tomatoes, tell her must come." We picked the green tomatoes when frost came and they are now ripening. Amanda has eaten several saucers full but does not seem to enjoy them enough. I have sent a few to Neighbor Sam.
Amanda had a letter from a girl friend in Summit New Jersey last Friday. This girl is very anxious to have Amanda visit her, and Amanda seems to want to go but thinks it would cost a good deal. I would be willing to have her go by and by, if I knew she would come back. Perhaps she will give up the idea. I was glad it was so you could go to a Board meeting, for once, at least, in your life. It seemed too bad though for the Baldwins and Lawsons to have any guests to entertain when they were having such a hard time. I would go and get little Evangeline if I knew they would let me have her. I think Amanda and I could give her as good care as she is probably getting.
We had a letter from Harvey Friday. He wrote that Mrs. B. was very sick and it is doubtful if she gets well, Eva all worn out, and so on. I am very sorry for them. I wonder if they do not wish they had good Amanda. (P.S. over). P.S. Addie told me to give her love to you, and Mrs. Horton said "Me too."
Max has been growing fat so rapidly so Amanda and I thought we would weight him. He lacked only two ounces of nine pounds, which is much more than he has weighed before.
I hear that there are, or soon will be, eight steam mills running in Union. Those nearest us are on the Newell place not far east of Mason Horton's, on a lot just sold by John Corbin and one in Breakneck.
I am some what better than I have been and think I shall be all right with the coming of cool weather. You need not feel called upon to worry any about me.
Amanda is learning to cool all the time. I have taught her to make our famous doughnuts, and she can make quite a respectable apple pie. We have had several old hens lately and Amanda can dress and cook them quite well.
Amanda seems to be getting her wisdom teeth and it makes her feel rather uncomfortable some of the time.
The black cow Dinah has a calf which father says is about the prettiest calf he ever saw and wants to raise it to take Dandelion's place. Dandelion is getting so important that we think he will have to be made into mince meat this winter. We have two of Mr. Marcy's little calves, and as Emma's milk supply has failed she gets some milk here so we do not make more than ten pounds of butter a week. The hens have almost stopped laying, which is discouraging for I wanted some egg money to send you. You must be almost out by this time. We can forge an order and get some for you from the bank if we cannot spare any from home if you want. Like my distinguished predecessor I wish I could draw my pay every week.
Lovingly yours
Mary.[The grave of Rev. Benjamin Hopkinson, who died Oct 14, 1897, is in Grove St Cemetery in New Haven, Conn.]