[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. Mary Mateer is writing to her daughter Jennie shortly after the Mateer family moved from Henry, Illinois to Monmouth, Illinois.]Monmouth Ill Oct 21/72
My Dear Daughter
I have just written a letter to Calvin [her son, Calvin W. Mateer, who had been in China since 1864] your turn is now Anna next and so on your letter was received some days since but not answered it is the hardest task I have to perform to compose myself long enough to write a letter[.] I have been so completely upset by this moving business [the Mateer family had recently moved from Henry, Illinois, to Monmouth] that I do not know when I shall be all right again I have had so much to annoy and worry me beside the work I am now trying to get calmed down and to feel at home but I do not know when I shall succeed everybody and everything is so new and strange, that I feel quite like a stranger in a strange place not one of our own church people have noticed us at all I have been to church three times heard Dr. Matthews yesterday the first time[.]
The Central Synod of Ill[inois] have held their meeting here one week since I attended two afternoons. On Sabbath Wilson of Merrittstown preached in our church he was elected moderator I ventured to introduce myself to him he remembered Calvin at once and spoke of him in the highest terms he is quite a pleasant old gentleman is about removing from Ellpasso to Bloomington has a farm near Normal he introduced me to Mr Dinsmore who is now preaching in Springfield he is quite youthfull [sic] looking but not afraid to speak was acting as attorney for another minister in a judicial case and gained the day[.]
Mr McVey took tea with us one evening the Henry church have invited him to preach one year which he agreed to do is to move his family there this week they promised him eleven hundred doll[ars] per year he is very sorry that he did not get our house will probably have to move into Mr. Russell acros[s] the street from ours where Mr. Gould lived his wife was sick when he was here. We think he is a good man and a good preacher and may do a good work for the church in Henry with the blessing of God[.]
I had a letter from Maggie Sharp recently Aunt Lizzie and Charlie and Nellie were having the chills Mrs Fillgore [?] too what a time they do have I think I shall ever be afraid to go back to Henry to live[.]
Rob and Horrie [her sons, Robert and Horace Mateer] have each had two turns of chills since we came here Robbie looks bad he studies hard. Horrie too is studying at a disadvantage was not here to start and being sick too he has commenced Greek and is doing what he can at it and the Latin, it will take him some time to get underway right Father thinks his eyes will not stand it.
Father has at last consented to let Lillie take music lessons she is to commence tommorrow [sic] with a Lady she keeps well and gets on finely with her studies attend[s] church & S. School goes to N P [?] when she can't go to the other I got her a new dress and had it made just before we moved have since bought her a stripe[d] shawl, but poor Horrie has not been to church yet his father got him a nice black coat in Henry boots too but no pants and vest so he will not go to church until he is fitted out right Father thinks there are so many things to get that he can scarcely stand it our expenses are greater here of course and everything to be bough[t] I do not know how I shall get along as I have the work to do and am not very well,] and then the anxiety and care of all[.]
Father intends going over to Willies [her son William D. Mateer] to help him put away his corn. Willie had a chill when we heard last, and was quite unwell. Anna was very busy preparing their wardrobe for their Eastern visit I do hope they will enjoy it and be improved in health by it and take their time. I hope Father will bring a horse and buggy home with him so that I can ride to church as it is too far to walk and so hard to stay at home I have not been at prayer meeting yet at our own church. Mr and Mrs Berne [?] are in Iowa visiting hope they will stay there a long time yet though our front window is not in yet but the quiet is so pleasant. I almost feel as though I was just beginning to keep house so many things are wanting[.]
Father is about buying some apples for winter he intends going to Willies tommorrow [sic] and I have to make some collars for him this evening. I am sorry indeed that your life is such a burden that you should constantly have so much to do and to suffer Dr. Edwards told us in his sermon time of Synod that life is but a "vapor" so soon is it gone and shall we not try to bear its burdens for a little moment and consider the glorious inheritance that awaits us in the future which is not very distant our times are in his hand and also our circumstances whatever they may be[.]
Wednesday afternoon Father started this morning and may not be back for a month or more I expect to feel lonely I am just beginning to realize something of the sacrafice [sic] I have made in coming here I don't think I shall feel at home here soon, if atall [sic] I wish I could go in and talk with you this evening you are just commencing to realize something of the difficulties & responsibilities of raising children, experience is a faithful teacher in this matter you do labor under difficulties such poor health so much to attend to and Mr. H being so much from home leaves the whole burden with you, you think Mary is hard to manage and I presume she is but perhaps you weary yourself and her both by being too exacting with her she is only a child and you should not expect her to be a young lady in her actions I do feel real anxious about you knowing that you have entirely too much care and labor for your strength.
If Anna should be situated so that she could do it I would like to see her taking Mary to stay with her awhile I think she would be an excelent [sic] tutor for Mary and she would be company for her while you would be greatly relieved.
As to Willie his Father will be obliged to have him or it may be with you as it was with your Aunt Mary Ann, and Alfred Wilson required her to manage Alfred the last time she undertook to correct him she was sick after and in consequence of it she could not subdue him and said she never would try again and did not I know that Willie is too much for you even now and I do hope his Father will see the nescessity [sic] of taking him in charge if he has not already done so he is a noble child and inherits somepersons [sic] strong will and determination and may some day make a great man with proper training and the blessing of God.
I wish you could have all your care behind and come out to Monmouth next summer I think it much more healthful than Henry you ought to get away awhile somewhere to recruit or you will break down you do need rest more than anything else. Now do write soon. Much love to all and a kiss for each little one[.]
Very affectionately
Your MotherI must write Aunt Jane I have not heard a word from them for nine months, have you.