The
Fassett Letters - Letter #70
One sheet
of buff lined paper folded to make four 6¼ x 8”
pages.
Date: 5/20/60 and 7/1/60
Place:
Pacheco
From: Ann
To: My own dear Mother
Pacheco.
May 20. /60
My
own dear Mother,
A
longtime has passed since you saw anything from my pen,
but you well
know it is not want of affection, that prevents my writing. You know I
have had eight and nine in the family all winter, and the oldest
children at school. Now, Dwight is home, but the others attend school
and I expect one or both of the Hale’s to board with me. They
come in the morning, Emily is not well enough to board them, and as
long as I have Harris it wont make so much more work for me to take
them too. They ask it as a favor, say they will take lunch at noon
&c, anything to get away from hotels. Hale has always been very
good, about granting Parker any favors, sells cheaper to us &c,
and
we feel under some obligation to him. He is a fine young man, highly
respected by all. Board is 5,00 per week, and they lodge themselves.
Harris has always wanted to board with us but I thought my work was
hard enough without him. This winter he seemed so anxious I could not
refuse.
Begin p. 2
My
health is very good only I have the sick-headache about every ten days,
had all last night. In this country I always have while nursing but no
other time. Chittenden reached San Francisco the 13th I was going down
Monday night with Hale to meet him, but hearing the boat came in Sunday
did not go, as we thought he would come up here. Instead of that he did
not even write to us, but has gone to Los Angelos. It was a sad
disappointment to me. I thought I could not wait all night hardly, for
him to come. Now, when he does come his head will be so full of
business that he will forget much of the little home
gossip. Besides he is only here
at meal time
and of course he wont say much before others. He sent some pictures by
Hale but no word of explanation, and as Harris opened them at the store
I did not even see the wrappings. Of course we dont know all of them.
The baby we guessed might be Sarah’s. The little girl
possibly
Amanda’s, do write and let us know, perhaps C- will forget
before
we see him. Harris left Mary’s and the girl’s. I
thank John
very much for his kind remembrance of ‘Sister Ann’
think
his picture a good one, (better than the others) and prize it highly.
Sarah say “tell Aunt Sarry thank you, for that sweet
picture.” Jane says “tell Aunt Dane, please
Begin p. 3
if
she’ll
tome he (here) and see my pisser” They are so pleased with
them
and so is their Mother. We think Mother Germain’s a good one
and
were very glad to get it. Another looks some-like Mrs Morrow we suppose
it is for Parker. Uncle George and Aunt (whats her name) will accept my
thanks for their kindness in sending their pictures. I always wanted to
see her, she is a smart looking woman. Uncle looks very natural, and
the boys are perfect pictures of
him. How
many children have they. Little Sarah says “that woman (Uncle
G’s wife) looks so
natural.”
Father’s namesake grows finely, has 6 teeth and almost walks.
Is
a large, healthy, good natured, boy. Parker has good health, teams as
usual. We expect carpenters tomorrow to build a kitchen.
Father’s
birthday Parker and the boys ascended Monte Diablo. We all went to
Gregory’s and Helen sowed for us on the machine, made three
sheets, and two little dresses. We left home about 8 in the morning,
and returned about sundown. Dwight must write you about it.
I shall remember Willie's birthday too. It is now
supper
time and I
must stop - will try to fill the paper before another mail goes.
Begin p. 4
July
1.
Dear
Mother.
I little thought when commencing this that so long
a time would elapse
before finishing it. But so many things demand my attention, there
seems to be no time for writing. C- came up after returning from Los
Angelos spent several days and Clara and I went to the city with him,
stayed a week; Mrs Harker has a machine, I took plenty of sewing and
she helped me nicely. My boarders went away and P- and D- kept house. I
had eleven in the family that week I went, baked nearly enough to last
while I was gone, had sewing to fix, myself, Clara, and Harry to get
ready &c. Of course I was completely tired out, and not very
well
while there Came home and found the house in not
very good order,
nothing cooked, clothes all dirty, boarders came back &c and
was
nearly sick all that week, the next week Dwight and I washed three
days, and ironed three besides baking every day. Last week every spare
moment was devoted to mending, and Sundays was too tired to write.
Chitt has been here the most of the time since I came back which makes
my family eleven. Add to this our butter, we milk two cows (the other
has raised her own calf and is now raising another) and make twelve and
fourteen lbs butter per week. This is only to show you what time I have
for writing should like to fill another sheet but dare not keep this
any longer.
Written
upside down at top of p. 4
Emily
has another daughter born June 3, A great disappointment, especially to
her man.
Written
upside down at top of p. 1
Jane
says “tell my Damma Ime dot a doll”, she said the
other day “fen I was
my Damals little baby I had little deen (green) shoes and oh,
wasn’t I
a tunning (cunning) little sing”
Written
side-ways along the left edge of p. 1
All
well and send much love to
all, write all you can all of you, and I will try to write sometimes.
very, very, much love from
Ann
Written
by Harris side-ways on top of Ann’s writing on p. 4
Mother
Ann
has written
all the news I suppose, I will write you a long letter some time this
summer. Am very busy and cannot spare the time now.
Yours
H H Fassett
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