Letter likely from William and Caroline Denison on illness, chores, and various news

Kalamamazoo April 1850

I am sorry to say that more than two weeks have passed since the reception of your very welcome letter. I had already delayed so long that when your letter came I most fully purposed to give it an immediate reply but I was soon confined with an attack of fever Herbert sick at the same time and when able to see about my domestic cares had so multiplied that this is the first leisure moment I have found to devote to absent friends Language would fail to describe the feelings with which I resume my pen to address you my dear Sister separated from all Her friends you once held so dear and I find it quite impossible to realize the fact that when this letter is finished it must be two or three months on its way. We had long been feeling very anxious about you not knowing where you were and when [?] directed her last letter she felt as if it was very doubtful whether you received it We looked with interest for every Home missionary and searched the papers hoping to see something from you but when your letter came I found we had not even thought that a letter written in November would not reach us untill March I am seated by the same old table and in the very place where you have so many times written to friends in Vermont and I feel quite inspired with the spirit of other days but I must not allow my thoughts thus to run for then are so many things crowding for [admission?] that I hardly know where to begin or what to say first. [?] has written a number of times and of course given you the particulars with regard to her own family and Williams and all society matters and of I never to tell you all that has transpired since I Last wrote I might well confine myself to our own family Last summer I was sick again most of the time and when one of your letters came I was so feeble that I could not read at all. In the fall my Brother and wife came for a visit and have not been home since John has gone into business with Francis and they board with us My Brothers health has not been as good for years as it is now We have a very pleasant family and enjoy ourselves much I am feeling lonely this evening as F is gone He went to Detroit on Monday expecting to return today but has not come and as usual I imagine ten thousand things that have prevented Since you wrote we have sustained quite a [?] During one of the coldest nights in february we were aroused from sleep by the ringing of the bell In a moment we were all on the floor The light shown brightly into our rooms and we all exclaimed with one breath it is our store In less than five minutes John Ward and Francis were dressed and on the spot The flames had reached our store F broke in and all hands went to work clearing the store with the greatest exertion and exposure on the part of J and F They succeeded in saving all but three hundred dollars worth of goods The next morning the goods were moved into Mrs Wilsons store and soon put up all in order They received no injury The ground being frozen every thing could be kept clean The fire broke out in the store next to ours Five buildings were burned William Denisons among the number. He seems to feel his loss very much as he depended upon the rent. F estimates his loss at fifteen hundred He thinks he shall do very well if he can collect his debts Most of those who sustained loss except F and W had some insurance Austin and [?] to quite a large amount [?] is going to build of brick on the same spot this summer. In March we had a very pleasant visit from Mr and Mrs Post [?] and Elizabeth They visited Henry and came from there here We talked much about you and indeed I could not help thinking of you all the time when in Mrs Posts presence She looked and appeared so much like you and Francis I should think they occupied [?] ground but under very different circumstances from those in which you are placed It was our [?] when they were here Eliza said she had not been present as such a season before in two years They seldom hear any preaching but Methodist

Oh how delightful it would be if you could once more make one of our number How much I have to that I can never write How much that would give me unspeakable pleasure to communicate and though I have had reason to think from some circumstances that your feelings had become prejudiced shall I know of [?] could not I should find in you that same dear friend whose friendship I have so much valued and if our lives are spared I really think we may I know from your letters and I know from the feelings you expressed when in Michigan that you often feel desolate but that you are far away from kindred and home but I have often looked upon a missionary life in all its bearings as far as I could without experience and felt that in many respects their situation was profitable to a Pastors life in our large towns and villages No situation without its trials and were it not for these how little prepared should we be for our future and eternal home I often contrast your situation with my own Here I am surrounded with every comfort and convenience Every thing pleasent and delightful Still I have things to say and you know what that I should not have if I were in Oregon [?] my dear Sister you see I am [?] to make you contented and happy and I know you do except when you think of absent friends I know in the bosom of your own family you have all that is necessary to endear you to life and with the hopes of being useful.

I shall ever feel that you will be [?] to [?[ with trials with the full assurance that your reward will be in Heaven I really wish we could become more acquainted with your excellent and worthy husband. I have never seen any thing from his pen except a few lines to [?]. I presume his time is very much occupied Still we should put much [?] in hearing from him Your friends all inquire particularly about you and wish to be remembered when I write. Mrs Stone I see quite often and number her among my best friends I saw her yesterday She sends much love

Mrs Davis formerly Emily S[?] calls to see me when she visits here and inquires much [?] about you. She is a lonely widow. It is nearly two years since the death of her husband and she still seems very desolate. She has a beautiful little girl. Her husband was wealthy and I have been told that her home in Chicago is one of the most delightful in that place. Mrs Stevens and her mother spend a part of their time with the sister who lives in Chicago. Mrs DavisSister whose wedding you attended is dead. I should think from what I have heard that she never lived very pleasently

Mrs South Mrs Sheldons Sister was married last summer to Mr Graves of Detroit a very fine man and in good circumstances They of course seem happy I suppose you would like to hear something about our new Mrs Balch. I am very much pleased with We are the same kind of neighbors as in former days but I do not feel the attachment nor [?] can that I did to the first Mrs B. They make large parkes with every variety that money can purchase for entertainment and Mr B [?] to have her keep very gay and fashionable [?] has moved to Hashings Hills and Hoyt who has her [?] F that he was often so drunk as to be obliged to be carried home. Poor Cara I think for some time she has carried a troubled countenance in spite of all her efforts to appear cheerful [?] have left her for California and some of them think of going to Oregon City Mr Hays among the number If so he will inquire for you and may find you You recalled he lived opposite us He was a subject of the revival a year ago and really seems to be an [?] man. I hope he will not yield to [?] [?] his absence but return as he left a decided Christian.

It is more than a week since I commenced this letter and one half the time when working Herbert must be by my side [basing?] or in my lap He says [friend?] Mary Lyman perfectly plan and every thing else he is told in your letter No Mrs Post came His [?]we were glad to hear again hope you well always which every particular? [I?] [worry?] what you have to eat should no help you she your washing I have not written you every thing about our Minister. His wife is a very particular friend takes the place of Mrs Balch more than any other you [are?] not much particular about your health is in any better than when in Michigan My love to yourself and husband and best wishes for your usefulness and happiness