The
Fassett Letters - Letter #48
One sheet of blue lined paper
7¾ x 9¾”
Date:
8/17/1858
Place: Pacheco
From: Ann [Fassett Germain]
To:
Mother [Mrs. C. H. Fassett]
Pacheco Aug
17. /58.
Dear Mother.
Harris just brought in and read to me, his letter for you. It put me so
much in the humor of writing that I therw down my sewing and commenced.
Shall I tell you what we are doing. Parker is unloading some hay he has
just brought from the ranch for the boys. D– and G–
are playing in the yard with some boys, riding wooden horses and
lassoing each other for wild cattle. Clara and Nora sewing by me. Lida,
Sarah, and Jane, playing at the door. Emily’s children and
mine are hardly separated. Clara has made 6 sheets for Hale and
H– at 25 cts each. (just half price) and is now making
pillow-cases for them. Hale told her they would give her the money or
their note when the work was done. She chose the money. She will spend
the money for clothes. I did not know how to have her do it as I have
so much sewing to do, but thought best to encourage her a little. She
hems and sews over and over neatly, and can back-stitch very well, but
I baste it all. makes one or two cases in a day. Harris wants her to
hem a black silk neckkerchief when these are done. will give 25 cts.
Parker feels quite proud of her calls her my sewing machine. he thinks
she will make as smart a woman for work as her Aunt Jane. I hope and
trust so too as she is active and easy to learn. but enough about her
for this time. You will understand that it is only to let you know what
she is. O dear I cant write, the little ones have come in and are
having a “sunging” school as Lida calls it.
D– has made the fire too, and I must help him get tea.
[Begin second side.]
Evening.
Parker has threshed his crop and finds it a failure. It only pays the
expenses, and gives him nothing for his labor. The season was bad, in
this valley hundreds of acres were not worth cutting. Last winter he
was in hopes to make something and even talked some, that it was
possible for me to visit you this fall. But I did not anticipate. We
have been so unfortunate about making money here. we have both worked
hard, enconomized in every way but have not made our pile yet. I have
never bought an article of jewelry or an expensive dress in the
country. Ladies here dress so richly too. you never saw anything equal
to it. Parker too has done all that man could do, never has bought what
you would call a good suit of clothes. enough of this. Some young man
from Galena went home the first of this month. I sent you
Clara’s and Sarah’s pictures. write me what you
think of them. You will see they were taken by a poor artist. we could
not spare money enough to get good ones. was sorry to send them without
frames. tried to get a gold dollar at the store to put in and send you
to buy them but could not. Was very glad to get your letter. Your
monthly one did not come mail before this. will try to write often as
possible. know you will do the same. what is the matter of Jane. She
dont write a line for months at a time. It puzzles me. P– and
the children send love as usual. With much love and many warm wishes
for the prosperity and happiness of all of you. I remain as ever.
Your affectionate
Ann.
Dear Mary,
Many thanks for your receipts. was much gratified with your remembrance
of me. would respectfully suggest, use good rich milk in room of water
for your bread. It makes it nicer and more nourishing. I think it
better to sponge at night and mix early as convenient. raising it too
much takes out the sweetness, dont you think so, hope you will write
often and send more receipts.
[Continued at bottom of page two upside down around the signature area.]
It seemed so strange today to have you
write me about making bread. You are still little
Mary to sister A.
[Coinuted upside down at top of page one.]
Give my best
love to Sarah and tell to hold on to her. perhaps her turn will come
after a while. Am trying to answer a letter Mrs Baers wrote me last
spring. hadn’t I ought to be ashamed.
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