March 12
Dear Abbie
I suppose you will hardly expect another letter from me but I may as well write A Short letter as to do nothing[.] Uncle Freds Baby died this morning of lung fever Father has been up there this PM the funeral is Monday at 3 ock[.] Willard Cook is at home on leave of 20 days. Mr Rufus Chuch [sic] is here and talking about Astralia. [sic] it has been one of the most windy days I ever knew but it is quite pleasant this evening. only three mornings more to wash dishes and pans wont I feel gay to see you & mother wash dishes. look here mother dont you have the head-ache Wednesday. because if you do I dont know what Ill think of it I presume Father will meet you in Springfield if the roads are decent. but I guess I wont write any more perhaps Father will finish it much love to all.
from Willie
[handwriting change]
Dear wife
I will write a few lines as Willie did not finish this half sheet you will doubtless be surprised to hear that Freds baby is dead. I was there a week ago to night & it had a hard cold in its head they had the doctter [sic] that evening he said he thought it nothing but hard cold & would get over it without being sick he was not called again till thursday [sic] & said it had lung fever but did not consider it dangerous, till
lastyesterday & it died this morning at 9 oclock they feel verry [sic] bad. I wish you was here to go to the funeral. I think now that I will meet you at Springfield as the traveling is not verry [sic] bad nowlove to you & all
GeorgeWell Abbie what do you think about comeing [sic] home if you dont want to see us yet you may stay with Granpa & Granma & let mother come
from father
if it is not very stormy come & go to Willamansett
[I bought this letter because it was postmarked in South Hadley. I saw that Abbie Warren Taylor was in the class of 1875, so at first I thought this letter could not be for that Abbie, because she wasn't even a student yet in 1865 when this letter was written. But following the family genealogy, it is clear that this letter was written to Abbie while she was staying at her grandparents' home in Hinsdale Mass. when she was about 12 years old. Asher Knight, mentioned on the envelope, is Abbie's grandfather. The first portion was written by Abbie's brother Willard (Willie). The second portion was written to Abbie's mother Elvira (Knight) Taylor by Abbie's father George W Taylor. Uncle Fred was George's brother Frederick Taylor. He and his wife Sarah (Cook) Taylor had many children that died at a young age, and the one mentioned in this letter was Angeline Cook Taylor, born Sep 24 1864 and died Mar 11 1865.]