[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. The letter has no year date in the dateline, but is from circa 1873, when Mrs. Mateer lived at Monmouth, after moving from Henry, Illinois, and where Robert was attending college, before transferring to Princeton.]Monmouth Ill July 4
My Dear Daughter
Your welcome letter was duly recieved [sic] and with Mary' [sic] was appreciated. I have deferred writing hoping to be able to report myself improved but as yet I cannot say that there is much improvement I have become quite discouraged but last evening a neighbor boy kindly took me to see the Dr again he changed the medicine and should this fail will apply a fly blister to the back of my neck[.] I have tried mustard and horseradish and croton oil but to no purpose. Father would have me just sit and nurse my hands and wait until I get well but this does not suit me I fear to wait longer something must be done if it is only my head it should not be thus trifled with[.]I have been staggering around now ever since Robert Mateers were here unfit to do anything and yet I am obliged to see after the work and do part of it though Father does try to save me it is so hard for Lillie to go to the kitchen the washing we get done and are now buying our bread as I cannot now bake atall [sic] the heat just ruins my head it was baking in the stove in our little hot kitchen that injured my head at first I cannot sew at all and can neither read or write without without [sic] injury to my head my appetite is good and I can usually sit up mu head is not painful but just a dead weight on the top when sitting still when I rise to walk I cannot control my head and am constantly afraid of falling[.]
Our China boxes have not arrived as yet Robbie is visiting Braly [?] Fowlers the last week will probably be home tomorrow he had been confined so closely to study that he needed a change. Horrie is trying [?] farm work five miles out of town I do not know how long it will last Lillie is about cracked to get off to Henry on a visit is busy making her own dresses and fixing up her clothes. She is finishing her third dress one grass cloth one gingham lawn and one calico she grows out of her clothes so quick that they do not last her long and further she is very hard on her clothes so careless should I be called away any time soon I do not want her to undertake to keep house for Father it would not be wise she would become confirmed in her careless habits while he too would be the looser [sic] she should be sent off to some strict boarding school but I hope the Lord will spare me with them a while longer I have felt that the success of this movement depended verry [sic] much upon my own [?] exertions but perhaps I am to see differently.. [sic]
I should like ever so much to visit you and stay awhile with you and all but cannot at present[.] I am not able at present to go alone if I get well I shall not have time. I am thinking of going to Willie and on to Danville to see the Nelson cousin should my head get better in time I had anticipated a pleasant vacation at home, but cannot enjoy anything my sewing and everything else is just laying undone.
Mrs Lambert or Rea Divers motherinlaw is visiting her brothers in Monmouth she and her daughter called on me a few evenings since they are verry pleasant I think Rea is favored in having such a mother. Rea was well and living on the farm they are five mules from Carlisle I had a letter from Mrs Weirman and Sue Neely they were all in usual health Sue had just had a baby baptised she wishes to be remembered to you and says she has not had a letter for a long time from you[.] I had written to Mrs Weirman and she appeared to appreciate my poor letter very much I shall try to write her again[.]
John A has three children lives in Oxford Mrs Dr Stewarts family are all single but Mary J she does not speak of a New Church[.] Mr Norcross told Father that he had met Mr Henderson in Baltimore and was quite favorably impressed. Mrs Lamberton told us that Mr Stewart Lizzie['s] young husband had died of Typhoid fever quite recently they had moved to Harrisburg and he had gone into partnership with Mr Hench [?] in business they have five children. Now my poor head warns me to stop scribbling.
Much Love to all
Aff
MotherFather says to [?] tell Mr H that his letter and draft came all right tell my Mary that I will answer her letter as soon as I am able dont overdo yourself waiting on other people as I have done[.]
Lt Matthews has not called to see me though I have not been out at church for a long time
Write soon I will enclose Robbies picture[.] [no longer with the letter]
I must tell you that Horrie stood first in his class and Robbie is fourth[.] Horrie has made all his back study up and is square for College. Robbie is not quite even he paid more attention to the Society exercises than Horrie and read considerable too[.]
Lillie is less ambitious I hope she will do better next year[.]