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bernard_b1f7_001
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Dr. Frederick Robert Bernard Collection (MUM01719). Archives & Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries.
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West Chester 1st mo 19th 1866 My Dear Children Saml & Sarah I received thy truly acceptable my Dear Saml of 10th mo 7th which I replyed to shortly afterward directing to Lake Providence- where thee informed me that there was making an effort to try to get established in Business which I am constantly and anxiously awaiting the result of thy exertions in regard to the success of thy enterprise but as nothing has come in answer to my lines- I have come to the conclusion that in all probability- thee did not succeed in that undertaking satisfactorily and has located elsewhere . We would all be verry much gratified indeed to hear from you soon- each and every one of each of thy own families are deeply interested not only those that are here- but also: they that have been [illegible word] away- manifest deep solicitude for thy welfare- thy old Friend Benjamin More paid me a visit recently he inquired for thee with much warmth of feeling- and wound up with saying he intended writing to thee soon& took thy address- he appears to be in verry poor health- he and wife were on their way from Philadelphia to their home in [Harford Cty]- he has visited us twice since we have been living in West- chester- the first time he had been visiting two Brothers- then living in Philadelphia- they are both now numbered with the silent Dead- and he Benj is the only remaining one of the family- his wife observed when at our house that he was taking his Brother John the Drs. Death verry much to heart- is this not the way of all flesh? Yes dear children do I feel myself swiftly advancing toward that Port- the 15th Day of this month included the 75th year of my life- how rejoicing would it have been to me Could I have had all my children & grand-children with me on that day. What could be more rejoicing to one than to have my Children all located here in this town- that I could pass from one to another staying a day or two with each one- Ah well I suppose it is folly for me to indulge in the anticipation of such an event- now at this almost worm out [illegible word] of my stay here- this state of Probation- I have had verry poor health most of the time since last I saw you- not been able to go as far as Levises or [Amies] in the last 3 years- but since the cool weather I am better than I have been for that length of time- 12 months ago I was so feeble & reduced I could scarcely walk without Assistance I received a letter from [Emeline] yesterday- she write to me once a week & [illegible word] two or three in the course of the year- We have had quite a cold spell of weather- good slaying at this time- tell Freddy there is a great gingling of the Bells. 20th I did not finish my letter last evening & have just arose from the breakfast table wherein we partook of warm bread with plenty of [Indian] in it. Beef stake & coffee and I keep or resume my position at table untill I finish writing which is more of a task than it was 20 years ago- our Climate is verry variable- the snow is almost gone- slaying spoiled- it is quite a thaw- a foggy dark morning. Well now we would like to know how you are getting along- is Mother McCay still with you is she improving in health- & how are you situated for help- I feel verry much interested for you indeed- and do deeply sympathize with you in your varied [tasks] but what does all that amount to- yet I would be willing to do more than this had I the means in my power- how many do we behold indulging in all the wealth- extravagance - and superfluities that can be imagined- wherein if a little more liberally distributed- might be a comfort to not only themselves but a blessing to their children- but we see this not the way this rule works- they that have much desire to have more. Thy Uncle John has made a splendid home with all the conveniences necessary and has moved to it with his Family- where you last visited us I believe it was spoke of in my last letter- I think they at that time had not [two illegible words] & family occupied the old Homestead- taking charge of the Farm- he is a verry small man and less than his Father & not so healthy a man- I suppose John will be as deeply interested in the Farming business as every- Sidney is yet with her Father- who has land enough for a Son in law. [Lars] is still in thee [lime] business- Reuben is at this town out of the [illegible word] office- he does not at this time know what he will take hold of- We are all in our usual health this morning- and hope to fear from you soon- with much love to each one as if named by the family generally Laura has written a note to her Cousin Freddy which she wishes to have enclosed. Farewell I am "afftly" your mother- Susan Bernard