| Title: | O'Brien, Joseph Sinton to O'Brien (n. Kelley), Prudence, 1851 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6179 |
| Collection | The Transatlantic Letters of an Irish Quaker Family_1818-1877 [B. Jackson] |
| File | quaker/181 |
| Year | 1851 |
| Sender | O'Brien, Joseph Sinton |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | Quaker |
| Origin | Marshfield, North Collins, Lake Erie, NY, USA |
| Destination | Collins, Lake Erie, NY, USA |
| Recipient | O'Brien (n. Kelley), Prudence |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | husband-wife |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 1466 |
| Genre | news, working at the farm, wishes her well on her recovery, misses his wife |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Tuesday evening, Oct 7th [1851] Dearest Companion Although it is but a few hours since I received your third letter since your sojourn at the "Glen" and although it is nine o'clock, yet I cannot go to bed without having a short visit with you. Don't you remember what Mr Fowler said about my going out to milk the cow - I have thought of it several times today - I have been rejoicing this afternoon in the prospect of your returning hither. It makes time pass more pleasantly with me to know that you are in such good spirits. I was astonished at your walking powers. You must be careful and not over-do. Like yourself, with the prospect of your returning health, to me comes the desire and ambition to do something in the world to turn it upside down, and to leave it the better for having lived in it, and I have been laying many plans for the future this afternoon. But for a short time we must be content, trusting that there is a "good time" that will surely “Come”. Mother and Daniel have gone up to Joseph Griffins to make an evening visit. I got the phrenological journal from the office today. The Water Cure [Journal] has not come yet. Good night. Wednesday evening We have got our potatoes dug. We have about eleven bushels in all. It is well you went to the Glen and that the Doctor has prescribed but one potatoe a day for you. We would have had Co buy potatoes before spring. It must have been a special providence that sent you there. Joseph Mabbit is going to Rochester - this week sometime with a horse and buggy and he had invited Daniel to go with him - and Daniel thinks some of going. He will have decided before this letter goes to the office. If he goes, he will come home when you are coming. Should you come to Buffalo alone, you can leave your trunk in the baggage room at the depot and keep your check with you and we can go right there with the waggon and get it By presenting the check. Should you come in the evening too late to get up to Cortes', just stop at the "Exchange Hotel" and stay all night. It is not more than 4 rods from the depot. Mr Fisk, the landlord, is well acquainted with Cortiz and knows me. I sold him butter twice last spring. I received a letter from Cortes yesterday. He says that he thinks they will move into their new house next week, but it is not certain. Cortes said in his letter that if you would let him know when you would be in town, he would try to meet you at the depot. I will try and meet you at the cars if you can tell me about which time you will be there. Should no one meet you at the cars, go to No. 71 Chippewa, where Cortes lived when you were there last, and if they are moved, call at the next door west at Mr Bud's, an old and intimate friend of Cortes, and they will let their little boy go and show you the way. Or, to find Cortes' new house, continue on down Chippewa Street until you come to where it folks, then take the right hand street which is Palmer street, the one they live on. Keep on the right hand side of the street as there is no side walk on the other side (unless lately made), continue on until you come to a corner where there is a pump, then cross to the left side of the street and go on again until you come to the end of the plank side walk. The next house beyond is Cortes' (a new brick one). Mother thinks that this distance from Cortes' old residence to his new is from ¼ to ½ mile. Should the distance be too great for you to walk, just take a cab. Don't be afraid of the expense - save your health at whatever expense. In hiring a cabman, tell him you may want him to go as far as Palmer street, for he would charge you extra after taking you to Chippewa street to take you further. Don't be frightened at the long list of directions that I have given you, for it is not at all likely that you will have to follow the half of them. I shall most likely meet you at the depot, for if I know pretty near what time or what day you are coming I can be there and watch every train that comes in, and if I had to stay a day longer it will not do any hurt. One potatoe a day!! That is really too bad. Tell Dr Jackson that if he don't treat you better, I shall come and take you away. I am saving some [corn] husks to make a husk bed - but they do not look very good owing to their having been frozen. I don't know but you will throw them away when you get home. I let Mr Turner, the cabinet maker, have some bedstead legs to make a bed stead of last week. Mothet is going to have it put up in the parlor - and we are to have the use of the parlor this winter if you would like it. It will save you running up and down stairs so much. What do you think of the plans? Daniel has concluded to go to Rochester. He will start Sunday morning and will probably get there on tuesday. Now if you want to call at Rochester, just write to him and direct to Rochester N.Y. and he will meet you at the cats. He will probably be ready to come home by the time you are. If not he can see you safe on board of an express train, which will be much pleasanter than which you went down. I have not got news enough to fill out my sheet this time - so if it is not so interesting as usual you must not blame me. Esther's sister [probably Ruth Peasley] has not been to make her a visit yet since she was married. Enclosed I send 10 dollars which I trust will be enough for all you want. If not you must not pay Dr. Jackson all you owe him and tell him you will send it to him after you get home. I will send your key in the next letter. I would send it this time only I do not want it in the same letter with the money. I will enclose this in two envelopes, so that no one will know that there is money in it. I will try to go and see your folks on Sunday probably, but cannot say for certain as we shall be very busy now that Daniel is going away. If not, I will try to take you to make them a visit as soon as you get home. You will forgive me if I don't go: I know you will, if duty requires me to stay at home. Keep up good courage and continue to feel cheerful. Strive to keep active those nobler feelings that have always been so prominent in your character Remember you are giving character to an immortal mind. And Oh may our child inherit those same good qualities for which his mother has always been beloved and esteemed. I am lonely, very lonely, without you - but I am willing to he separated from you a little longer if it is necessary. I know that your love for me will not diminish though you may find others to love. Your thoughts will never be so occupied but that you can give a thought for me. I think of you many many times a day and feel your love drawing me cowards you, but I cannot come. Oh I wish I had a fortune for your sake. Forgive if I have done wrong in wishing so, tell me so if it is wrong. It will be two weeks tomorrow since you arrived at the "Glen". One more week and then I shall soon see you. And I hope you will never have occasion to go away and leave me again - never - never. And when our earthly pilgramage draws to a close, Oh may our spirits pass to another sphere together. Earth would be a dreary place to either of us without the other. Good Bye. Tomorrow I shall hear from you again. Good bye - another kiss - Good Bye. Joseph |
