The Fassett Letters - Letter #16

Date: 6/28/1854
Place: Placerville
From: Ann F. Germain, Chittenden
To: Mother
Placerville, June 28/54
       Dear Mother,
                                  Your good letter of May 8 was recd June 24, Saturday. I was baking, and put 4 pies in the oven then sat down to take a good read. It was long and in reading it I forgot pies and everything but that. After reading it all over (as I supposed) I turned it over and a line caught my eye that I had not seen. It was “Now Ann dont let your pies burn while you are reading this.” You ought to have seen me throw the letter and run, laughing, and saying “Well, Mother, Mother, my good Mother,” then the happy tears would come, to think I had such a kind Mother to write me such cheering letters. I really felt as if I had heard you speak to me. The fun of it was they had baked very nice, and of course, I had minded you. Wasn’t I a good girl.
    The Recorder, came too, and a great treat it was. we have no Baptist preaching here and the paper has failed so that I hear no church news only what I get from you. I sometimes feel as if I were out of the world almost. I often think I will take a Baptist paper from home but they come so irregular. Parker advises me to wait. The children are all well and growing finely, Clara calls herself part Grandpa’s daughter, and wants to go there and live so does Guy, but Dwight remembers the trip and is not willing to leave Father & Mother. They all talk of you often and think with me that a visit to you would be the greatest earthly pleasure. Parker works the most of time by the day at 400 per day. he thinks it is about as well as to work for himself as there is some uncertainty about claims. The best pay now is in the hills, but sometimes they work 6 months and then not get anything, and sometimes find thousands. Parker thinks it hardly best for him to run so much risk as we are saving some now. I put away a 20 dollar gold piece last month besides supporting us and expect to save that every month. I thought I would fill a sheet this time but have not felt very well last week and this and kept putting it off. I have a poor spell once in 3 weeks or three months and that makes me quite lazy. last week I did not feel well enough to work and left washing till Saturday. Then I done a weeks washing for my own family, Chit & Hale, and ironed part of them. After P. came home from work at night we made 36 pies. Sunday & Monday I felt used up, but yesterday baked 28 pies & 20 loaves bread before dinner, today done a large washing. am too tired to write but Chit says I must send this tonight and it is now sundown. I owe Grandma Peck a letter, also Jane, Sarah & Aunt Delia, and want to write poor Uncle George and Harris. Parker saw James Morrow the other day, he is well, and digging a tunnel at White Rock. I hope Jane is better, feel very uneasy about her, do send her here it will surely cure her. Please write often all of you and not judge me by my letters. I would send decent ones if I could. very much love to all, particularly brother William & wife. (Sarah always was fond of Sweet Williams.)
                                                  Ever Yours truly,
Ann F. Germain

 P.S.
     If Chit visits you of course I shall get a present. I would just hint woolen stockings for myself would be very useful. there is none to be had here only poor worsted at 100.

[The Following is upside down at the top of the first page in Chit’s handwriting.]

Dear Mother
          I am trying to arrange my business to make a short visit home this summer. dont be surprised to see me at any time.        Love to all Chittenden

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