Sidney June 25 1868

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My Dear wandering son

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I received a letter from you a few weeks ago dated Feb. 8th. I thought then I should write immediately but I have not been feeling very well and so have put it off. My eyesight is very poor and it takes me a great while to fill a small sheet of paper. Whitfield I have often flattered myself if our lives might be spared a few years longer you would visit your native hills and the few friends you have left in those parts but by what you say about your situation I think you have bound yourself to British soil for a much longer time that I am likely to stay here. Well if you can live happier and do more good where you are than you could to live near some brother or sister or where you could visit your poor old mother. I won’t complain but O my son do try to secure your soul’s salvation that I may be able to meet you in peace in the other world. Whitfield I want to ask you a few questions please answer as soon as convenient. Have you a house, do your own work or do you live in a family, do you get any state papers so as to keep posted in government affairs, have you any books especially have you a bible, if you have not I hope you will get one at whatever cost. Search the scriptures. Jesus says in them we think we have eternal life and they testify of him. My son don’t neglect your soul’s salvation whatever else you neglect. Is the country settled round you, if so what kind of people are they, do you remember the sabbath day, are there any churches or any religious meetings, one thing more what induced you to buy land in that northern region. I remember when you was a boy, if there came a cold blustering time you would talk of going south. I wish you had gone south or west if you couldn’t stay here but the past is past. 

You seem to think your brothers and sisters don’t write to you but think again, you are a great way off and probably don’t get half the letters that is mailed for you and I presume we don’t get near all you send us. Lucius owns he has not wrote in a long time. He always appears glad when we get a letter from you. His health is poor and his eyes are weak but he could write if he wasn’t negligent. Tempe writes quite often and gets no answer and she gets discouraged I presume. Mary writes you three letters where she receives one. I think Adeline is rather negligent about writing to friends but I can excuse her, she has her hands tied. Four small children to take care of, and Fordyce gone so much she has to see to things out doors as well as in the house. You know F was in the army nearly a year. They sold the farm before he got home and moved into Polo village so he has been dodging round, sometimes in one kind of business and then another. The last I have heard he was peddling sewing machines. George sent word he had got a letter from you. That with the one I have already are all that have been received by any of the family in almost two years. I presume Adeline has written you more than one and I know Elvira has. Tempe has lived with Lucius the last five years until this summer. She works for Mrs. Alby Smith in Otego. Elvira lives with Adeline and works in a tailor’s shop. Mary is living in Winslow Ill. Lucius buried a little boy last Dec. aged two years and 3 month. They have another, aged 16 months. I have in time past urged you to return and live near some of your friends. You have as often objected to returning until you could live independent but I have always thought and still think the industrious farmer or mechanic are the most independent and as respectable and as much respected as any class in community and I think they live quite as happy. Riches don’t make one happier or better. If we are never to meet again in this world do let us believe in the Lord Jesus Christ that we may be prepared to meet in the Heavenly world where there will be no more sorrow. If you get this very likely it will be the last you will receive from me. Write often as you can, write soon.

from your affectionate old Mother

 

Whitfield Chase