A Letter Written on May 14, 1854

South Hadley May 14th 1854

Dear Brother & Sister

With great pleasure we received your letter last Thursday after waiting so long expecting we are all well and hope you are the same we have lived through the great flood and are can now walk along the green banks of the Connecticut where but two weeks ago was nothing to be seen but water and the mere tops of trees the water rose to such an immense hight [sic] that it surround[ed] the barn we had to go in boats to get to it it was up to the depot at Smith's ferry and all over the bridges on all of the streams far and near cars ceased to run and no intercourse could be had from any of the towns arround [sic] the water was all arround [sic] Mr Collins house men could ride in a boat into his windows in Hackanum the[y] went with the horse boat up to Amaziah Lymans and at Northampton up to the Nonotuck house folks had to flee their cattle & hogs to the mountain & at Rock ferry it was almost to the shop in Hadly [sic] bells rung for help the whole of the west street was all overflowed to Cranes tavern men could went in boats up into the piazza nothing could be heard from Westfield from Saturdy [sic] until Tuesdy [sic] when two daring men took a horse and waggen [sic] and came accross [sic] the bridge & the water ran into the waggen [sic] on the bridge the water attrasted [sic] a great may [sic] people we had a good deal of company[.] Lots of girls & myself with gentlemen with us to be sure took a boat ride we went over fences & brush at our Leisure it presented quite a novel sight but I will not enter into any further details on the subject you can imagine the rest only remember it is (Franklin Pierce) I would have said the Nebraska flood of 1854 which was two feet higher than in 1801

Mr Joslyn is still remaining still doing nothing I know not how long he will be so he has been to Boston to buy [?] the water privelege [sic] but he has not heard from there yet his wife has gone to the water cure for her health the[y] have had a subscription paper for Mr Joslyn Mr Faber headed the list with 10 dollars I have not heard how much he did get Mr brewster [sic] wishes you would come on & live in his house if you will not live in the brick house you could go into the house with him he says I should think by your description that you had got a very pleasant place & cheap to[o] we like our new home very much plenty of fruit of all kinds. I am out to work as seamstress at Mr Bates have been there near three weeks like it very [much] think some of learning the dressmakers trade this summer when I get through to Mr Bates but I do not know when that will be they have got a great deal of sewing & they want me to do it & I told them I would I had much rather do that than work in the factory Mother is braiding as usual & Father is working on the farm time will not permit me to write more so good night

our love to all write soon from your affectionate sister excuse all mistakes.

Fanny L Lee.

(Angeline Death has invaded Mr Griswold family and chosen him for its victim and thus she is left a lame widow to mourn the loss of the chosen companion of her early dys [sic]) do come & see us this sumer [sic] in of [sic] pleasant country home now do come wont you