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.

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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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