| Madison County Letters© -
25Feb1846 Copyright 2000 Fredi Perry In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data and images may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for other presentation without express permission by the contributor(s) Feb. 25, 1846 Dear Cousin, Letter writing is so much out of my line of business that probably I should not attempt it at this time were I not reminded of my long neglected duty by receiving two pamplets from you for which I thank you, but we want to hear something more particular from you. I suppose the only way is to write first, if this is the reason why you do not write. I think you are too particular, at least I donot think that I am altogether the guilty cause taking into consideration my domestic cares and duties from which perhaps you exempt. Are you free from the cares of life? Are you the wife of a "rich nabob". Do you roll over the prairies of the beautiful Wisconsin in your coach and fours? It is far otherwise with me. I do not wallow in plenty but believing it is the Lord which dealeth out to us our portion we are therewith content. We live in the southeast corner of the county. Brother William has a piece of land joining over, our friends at Galesburg are alive and well. Uncle Norman has a new comer some five or six weeks old. A daughter which is the ninth child. Our cousin Emily is a proud school marm. There is supposed to be a contract of marriage between herself and a Mr. Warren, a man of sterling worth, a student. Uncle N. brags him up as the son of a Rutland Yankee but his mother was a Chippewa and said to be among her own nation at this time. It will take Mr. Warren four years longer to go through with his college and theological studies. Do you ever hear from uncle George and Ridge Prairier. There has been so much sickness and death down there for two years past that it is very much altered. Old Squire Scott has at length got his oldest three children married off and Ann has gone to school teaching so I suppose the old Squire will let his spirit rest a while. McGates has bought your Fathers old Gilead farm and is or wants to be settled permanent teacher over the school. On the whole Ridge Prairie has become a very dull place. The brick house Gaskills are all gone down to the cement factory except George and his wife. Do you ever think of visiting this place. We should like to have you do so very much indeed. I do not know that I ever shall visit your country. The boys talk about it. We have uncles, aunts and cousins on our Fathers side in the Territory. I think they are in Jefferson Co. I have two children the youngest which we call Nancy Amalia is about six months old. They are both helping me write you. Must therefore excuse so poor a letter. Please to remember me to your husband and friends and write soon. Direct to Middle Grove, Fulton Co which is our nearest office. Please to accept this from your affectionate cousin, H. A. Perrigo |