Great Salt Lake City January 29 1861 [Salt Lake City, Utah Tuesday 1861-01-29]
My dear and beloved Erastus [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888]
Having and opportunity this afternoon while the children are at a school I improve it by writing to you to let you know how I am getting along and that you are not forgotten. I have written once before but I learn by Artimesia’s [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882] letter received two weeks ago that you had not received it and also Artimesias [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882]. I think she has written three times. I think we have been fortunate enough to get all of yours. The family are all as well as usual. Artimesia [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882] is visiting at Sister Pratts [Orson Pratt's] this afternoon with Brother Franklin Richards [Franklin D. Richards] and wife. He has been very sick with the inflamatory reumitism [rheumatism]. Minerva [Minerva White Snow, b. 1822] is visiting at Emma Chimtons so you see I am all alone with the exception of Josephine [Josephine Snow, b. 1859] and she does not help me write any but she has climed [climbed] up on the table and is trying very hard. My health has not been very good for a few weeks past but I do not particularly need any hoops [?] still I think they would be very comfortable next summer. The children are all going to school except the babies. Mahonri [Mahonri Moriancumr Snow, b. 1847] & Erastus [Erastus White Snow, b. 1849] go to Br Haven they have just finished hauling the wood from up north. We have now enough to last us a few weeks longer. The smaller ones go to Sarah Eldridge. They learn very fast. Florence [Florence Snow Woolley, b. 1856] can read and spell small words very well. Father Coup is doing well. It takes him nearly all his time to do the chores out of doors. He wants you to send him an almanac. There has [have] been eighteen or twenty bushels of the wheat from Sanpete [Sanpete, Utah] left at Provo [Provo, Utah]. William [William Snow, b. 1806] came up a few days ago from Lehi [Lehi, Utah] and brought us a couple of bags of flour that he had exchanged for us. They have sent us one side of sole and one of upper leather. We do not know the reason we do not get more. The weather has been very cold for some time and there have [has] been plenty of sleighing all winter. It has been much warmer now for the last two days and the snow is going away. It seems almost like Spring. I suppose you have learned before now that the ward schoolhouse is finished and there is plenty of dancing there. It is a fine building. We all went to the stockholders party on new years [New Year's] evening. A few days after the children of the ward had a party and the grown folks in the evening which I attended. I enjoyed myself as well as I could without you. It seems by reading the papers the things that have been prophesied for so many years are surely coming to pass and while the wicked fear and tremble the Saints are rejoicing. How thankful we ought to be that we are shut up here in the mountains while the judgment [judgments] of the Lord are being poured out upon the world. I believe I never felt better and more like trying to do right and live my religion and I feel continually to pray for you that you may do a good work and be preserved to return to us again. My children are a great blessing and comfort to me while deprived of your society and I trust I shall never forget the goodness of the Lord to me in that thing. I stay close at home this winter except for going up to see Bryants family once in a while. They are all well and wish to be remembered to you. We had quite a party here to supper on new years [New Year's] night. Bryant and his folks, George and Mary Nathaniel Richard and Mother Stringham and Benjamin all came here to supper from the party. I had everything prepared before hand ready to set the tables and they all enjoyed it very much but wished many times that you were here but I presume you enjoyed yourself just as well and had a much better supper, plenty of apples and cider I suppose. Well I don’t care so you don’t make yourself sick and eat enough for me. Sarah [Sarah Lucina Snow (Thurston), b. 1841] has been down once since you left. George [George Washington Thurston, b. 1830] was down last Sunday he says Sarah [Sarah Lucina Snow Thurston, b. 1841] and the children are well. They are going to move down into the old house in the spring and build upon the lot. I must now lay aside my pen for the children have come home from school. I have had quite a visit with you this afternoon. I often dream of traveling with you and when I wake it almost seems as though I had seen you
Wednesday evening. [Wednesday 1861-01-30]
I have just come from Brother Littles. Their oldest boy Charles died this morning at six o’clock with typhoid fever. Sister Little is sick in bed and Br [Brother] Littles health has been very poor all winter. Brother Wells has been very sick all winter. I believe he is getting better. I do not hear much news as I do not go out very often. I asked Libby [Elizabeth Ashby Snow Ivins, b. 1854] what I should write for her She says tell him she is going to commence learning to write tomorrow and she wants you to send her a spelling book. Florry [Florence Snow Woolley, b. 1856] says tell him to buy us both one. We shall expect to hear from you by the next mail
from your ever true and effectionate [affectionate]
Elizabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby Snow, b. 1831]
Addressed:
Mr. Erastus Snow [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888]
New York [New York City, New York]
N.Y.
Post Box 3957