Thursday eve-
10 miles as usual has been our days ride— I have not walk'd my 9 miles, but I walk'd as much as I could- We are in a comfortable house before an excellent fire- It is snowing very fast—
Saturday- P M- Warren- After so long a time—
Friday morning we set out early with the hope of getting to Youngstown at night & to Warren to night, but 4 miles from Y——n, the horses were so tir'd they would not stir, so we stopt at a private house for the night, an hour before sun down— We had been in the house but a little time, when Susan look'd out & told me she thought there was some one after me, & I soon saw Mr Edwards & 2 horses— "I was never so happy I think"— I ran out to meet him- He came in & set a while, & just at dark we started for Youngstown— Mr Edwards insisted upon Susan's going with us, so she rode behind him, and I rode the single horse— We reach'd Cousin Joseph Woodbridge's about the middle of the eve— They got us a good supper & gave us a bed— Mrs W- is a very pretty woman (I mean pleasing)- They have 3 children, & appear to be very well off, (you understand me) & happy— They live in a very comfortable log house, pleasantly situated-A cousin in this country, is not to be slighted I assure you- I would give more for one in this country, than for 20 in old Connecticut— This morning Mrs Todd came over to see us, & urg'd us to stay & spend the day with her— But spite of her solicitations, we set out for Warren soon after breakfast—My horse was extremely dull & we did not get here till near 2 oclock— Cousin Louisa was as happy to see me as I could wish, & I think I shall be very happy & contented— The town is pleasanter than I expected- The house better- & the children as fine—Cousin has alter'd very little, in any way—I found a Mrs Waldo here just going to Connecticut, & lest I should not have another opporty, I intend sending this by them, without even time to read it over & correct it— I am asham'd of it My dear Elizabeth, & were it not for my promise to you, I don't know that I should dare to send it— I will write your Mama by mail, I have not time for a letter now—My very best love to every body— I have a great deal more to say, but no more time than just to tell you, I am ever
& most affectly Yours-
M V D——
Let no one see this but your own family—
Transcriber's note
Minor punctuation errors have been changed without notice. Printer errors have been changed and are listed below. All other inconsistencies are as in the original.
The following changes have been made to the text: