Its almost an age my dearest brother
since I wrote you last — and much longer
since we have heard from you. by
this time I trust you are safe in En–
gland once more, we had two letters
from you on your way out — which
convinces us that you
{unclear: have} no oppor
tunity of writing Hannah has written
you several times lately — but my father
is so incessantly tormented with a
head ach and dizziness that its almost
torture for him to touch a pen he has
had less of the gout this winter than
usual — But he has had a great deal
to distress him and has been much
out of spirits for a long time you
will be supris,d my dear Edward
to find that Murray has again left
us — his habits were such, and so
{unclear: rooted}, that Papa was at length under
the cruel necessity of telling him that
he cou,d support him no longer.
— 2 —
he did all he cou,d for him the
Judge gave him much more money than
he cou,d afford and about a week since
he commenced a Journey to Canada
in hopes of obtaining some employment
on the lakes — God only knows what
will become of him & his residence with
us has been attended with expences
that you wou,d hardly credit if he
had remain,d much longer I don't
know what wou,d have been the con
sequences — he appeard penitent when he
went away but I,m afraid it will be
but temporary — I,m afraid he is totally
unprincipled and am convinc,d he has
not the smallest appreciation for his family.
poor unfortunate fellow. my heart goes
for him — The 104
th have at last
left Fredericton for the field of action
and ere this are in Canada — poor
Jenkins has been fighting most gallantly
he is Cap
t of granideers in the Glengary rg
t
and by his exertions, an important Fort
has been taken, he has receiv,d universal
— 3 —
and unbounded applause, But you will
\think/
my dear Edward that he has paid very
dearly for it when I tell you that he
has lost one arm and the other most
severely wounded after receiving these hor
rid wounds he continued
\to encourage/ his men untill
he fainted from loss of Blood — I hate
to make such a dismal letter of this, But
must tell you my dear Brother, the
present unhappy situation of poor
Millers Family within one short
week Anna and Kate were taken
from
\them/ by a fever which a few
days since attack,d dear little George
and the Doctors have pronounc,d that he
cannot survive more than a day longer
when you recollect out of six such
sweet children as Mary had only Wins
–low remains you will wonder how these
unfortunate mother can support existence
indeed she is almost stupified with grief
and I must fear it will be a long time
(if ever) before she recovers these repeated
shocks — you have heard I presume
that your Cousin Lucy is married to a young
surgeon of the 104
th (Woodforde) he is gone with
— 4 —
with the others to Canada and she is to follow
him in the Spring — he,s a fine promising
young man — Bradshaw Rainsford has
again turn,d Soldier and is recruiting
for General Coffins regimint — Allen has a
company in it — I rather think it will
{Bottom of page}
be some time before they compleat it, as
the 104
th drain,d the Country pretty well.
the Judge got a letter from Col. Lutwyche last
night via Canada — I,m happy to find M
rs Weltdons
health is improving — my most affectionate remembrance
to her.
{marginal, Across text page 2}
My Best love to Chipman I had the
honor of occupying his room for a week
last fall. — Caroline Coffin is in Canada
with M
rs Pearson — and report says she is
shortly to be married I have a letter from
her last night but she does not
confirm this information — Wentworth is
not yet reinstated but we are in daily
imputation of hearing that he is —
M
rs Hatchett has been staying a fortnight
with us, she desires her compliments
our present presidents lady is just
the reverse of M
rs Hunter a thoughtless
flirting little thing, that is never at rest
without a Beau at her elbow — I hear
a good deal of scandal about
\her/, but I