Tarrytown October 2nd 1864, My Dear Mart, This dull rainy Sabbath morning finding me seated on a low stool in front of the stove "in the back room" of the little stone cottage at Tarrytown, I must acknowledge there is kind of [underlined] home-sick [/underlined] feeling hovering over one this morning. It is very cold and pouring with rain, it is strange but I seldom go any place without having a little touch of home-sickeness the first day, Even at Waverly where I spent two most delightful weeks, the first night I wished myself in Brooklyn. That visit will long be remembered; the pleasures we enjoyed are indelibly impressed on my mind never to erased. often since when a feeling of sadness creeps over me, I think just one glance at those beautiful views, would so pleasant. it was on this [?] side one beautiful afternoon just at sunset that cousin Mary opened to me the history of her life, [underlined] not all [/underlined] for that belonged to a dearer friend who had a most just claim to thee friendship than I. Her life has been over [thorny?] road, but I believe she has come forth from the furnace of [?] [fortified?] and made better from its sorrows. There too, we talked of our [underlined] family [/underlined] [underlined] trouble [/underlined], it was not with the open, free [confidential?] I talked with her as to thee, no, my dear Mart no living being had the confidence of open Friendship as come to thee from the heart of thy trusting friend. Hardly I thought would I keep from thee knowing and feeling that all secrets, find a grave with thee. It is now nearly six years since first we met, and I can truly say these have been the happiest years of my life for since then I have known the pleasure of having a [underlined] true friend [/underlined], I should have been real disappointed if I had not got thy letter last-week, I was anxiously waiting for the "Letter Man" when he came, I readily [?] thee for not writing longer letters, knowing thy time is so much occupied, though of course a long [crossedhatched text written from the left side of the page] very much love, write soon and [?] to [underlined] Harrison [/underlined], Care of E.M. [Page Break] one would be very acceptable when convenient. I am so sorry thee has to spend so much time in the schoolroom , thy, mind aright not to be so continually occupied, I do hope thee will regain [underlined] all the pounds [/underlined] thee has lost-during the summer, above all I do really and sincerely hope thee may escape the suffering of [Frosted?] [Feet?] do be careful. Uncle has gone down to the "quiet-little [?] "alone this morning, the rain prevented us, Cousin Mary Jane is away now at Chappaqua [South Carolina?] visiting families with Rachel Hicks who is on a mission, David Barnes and wife expect to visit this little dwelling next first day. They all seem to like it very much. I received a letter from Hannah Willet the other day, expressing great-delight that I am going to visit her, Purchase has indeed seem like a home to me, so many hours of happiness have been spent with Edward and Anna, who were always so kind to us. I always enjoy visiting among good people of Harrison. It would be delightful for Anna Barnes and I to visit thee, together, perhaps we will sometime I had looked forward to meeting thee this Fall but as thee has [?] [teaching?], I think better to wait until Spring beside it-will be pleasanter; though I think October a delightful month in the year, Last-year at this time, we were looking forward to the pleasure of a [?] Wedding, giving invitations etc. I do not think Uncle & Aunt Sarah ever regret their having it, we spent a happy evening I think. Uncle [Quinby?] & Aunt Anna did not have theirs this year, as expected, they having leased their house, it- was not- as convenient Next year if nothing prevents, I hope to have one at our house, I look forward to it- with both pleasure and pain. [underlined] Circumstances [/underlined] make it-painful to have a company of the [?] though I think both parents would like it. Last-4th day we attended the marriage of Mary Degraw, in Trinity-Church [New York], most of her Tarrytown friends were down, among others aunts Sarah & [Jennie?], She looked very sweetly in her brown [traveling?] dress, I cannot, say I fancied the groom very much, though he is said to be a good [underlined] sound man [/underlined], which is to be more [Page Break] highly prized than a fancy [underlined] gentleman [/underlined]. They started immediately for Canada, where they are to live, she received some very pretty presents. I am always glad to see a person, married when I think they will be happy which I hope she will be. Her sister lives near her, which makes it nice Last- 1st day I went home from Meeting with Emily and staid all night, [Nettie?] was there and Louise came too, all spoke of thee and wished so much they could spend the winter in Brooklyn. I do not know whether the " [?] Sociable" is be held again this winter, for my part- I do not care, I have not the same motive in going as I had last, the boys are not with us. I saw George last-night, he acted very coldly, scarcely spoke, the reason I cannot tell, Oh! how it pains me to have him act so, when I ask for an explanation he always says there is no difficulty or reason, I do hope he will get over it soon, I heard last week that Mary Moore was visiting at Westbury with Steve Willets. Mart I do not know what to make of Mary's action, she certainly acts very strangely with Steve and I have heard many, many times that it would really amount to something more than mere flirtation, if I did not [underlined] know [/underlined] her well I might think it Friendship as she, I think differently, surely she does not [underlined] love him [/underlined], his [underlined] money she does [/underlined], Oh! how can she commit so great a [underlined] Sin in [/underlined]the sight of her God, as to act so [toward?] a young boy of his character, if he was in every respect a [underlined] good young [/underlined] man, it might be more [underlined] endurable [/underlined]. I asked a friend from Purchase the other day if Mary was going to teach again in Purchase, the reply was "She guessed, she would more likely take charge of Williets new house" How can she do so; She is indeed a strange character, I [underlined] know [/underlined] she does not- love for I do not think her nature [realizes?] what a thing it is to [underlined] Love [/underlined], never can no the true pleasure of [underlined] that blessing [/underlined]. She is naturally very fond of gentleman society, is pretty and dignified, rather attractive but what is all that without [underlined] Love [/underlined]. I hope I may never be forced to believe it a truth that Mary Moore & Steve Willets will ever marry. [Page Break] I expect Mary [Brewwer?] [?] here an fourth day to stay till 6th day morning. I am glad she is coming even for so short a time, she is so much better in the country than city. Her sister and baby are much better, they have been so delicate. Next 1st day if nothing happens I intend to go to Purchase, to stay two weeks most of the time at Edward, though a few days I hope to spend with Anna Barnes, I too like them so much, always have such good cosy visits there. I am glad thee has had a letter from Anna Willets, they always are so acceptable. I wish thee could talk politics with her I suppose they are as strong Democrats as ever. - Uncle Henry aunt Deborah & Hannah dined with us last second day, they drove down they are a little better though miserable, yet, Sarah we think is getting quite well again even better than before. William will not be willing for her to go to Bayside to stay very long till cold weather. She and mother intend going up to spend the day some time this week, will drive up. Mr Engler, father's friend keeps a carriage and [horses?] driver, which he kindly told mother she could use, at any time she choose, he seldom rides except- on sunday. We went to New York last week, Mother gave father a beautiful large green easy chair for his birthday present with- which he was delighted Give much love to thy mother and tell her I was very sorry I did not see her while in [New York] did not hear she was here till afterward . Poor Aunt Eliza, how my heart aches for her, Aby will be a great comfort to his mother. Grapes are ripe uncle has a great abundance though not as much as last year. I wish thee had some. Sis Archer expects to go on to Ohio this week to see her sister Mary. James Underhill has leased his place for five years, the family expect to move to Brooklyn, poor Maggie how delighted she would have been to live in the city,-but- how much better off she is, surely no one ought regret that she was taken from such a world of care & trouble. I have filled thy sheet which I think will be rather [short?] to send but I must write home therefore I will have to close with [Page Break] 2nd day morning Although I closed my letter I will add a little more before taking it-to the office. Yesterday P.M. [Jennie?] and I went to Mr Todd's church, heard a stranger preach, not a very interesting sermon, but still I felt better there than [underlined] lounging [/underlined] around home. In the evening went over to "Grandmother's". Found the [underlined] boys [/underlined]" there, [Jude?] had been sick all day, in fact has not been well in 'a long while', I do not believe he went down this morning When I told him I had written to thee, he [underlined] wished his love be given [/underlined], George did not speak to me at-all, though I addressed him once. Oh! how such things sink way down deep in my heart, worries me so much, after I went to bed I could but think of it. What dear good friends John and Edward are to thee, and I know thee truly appreciates their friendship [Page Break] Sometimes I almost [underlined] envy [/underlined] thee, I wish so much that I trusting gentleman friend one in whom I could have perfect confidence, but as thee is [underlined] my husband [/underlined] I give to thee all the devoted love of a true friend and [underlined] I hope a dutiful wife [/underlined]. Am I foolish to wish the Friendship of a gentleman. I do not wish one of the [underlined] trashy kind [/underlined], but a real [underlined] good true friend [/underlined], one that I could look to for advice, without a single thought of ever being nearer [underlined] related [/underlined]. Mart I have seen so many unhappy marriages that sometimes I feel [underlined] disgusted [/underlined] How two persons can stand in the presence of their God and pledge themselves the holy vow of matrimony, without the chain of [underlined] Love [/underlined] uniting their hearts, I cannot tell. Surely they never can be happy, I believe though it is utterly impossible for some people to love, how I pity them. The young lady Mr Davidson was engaged too [crossed out: was] expects to be [underlined] married [/underlined] very soon. I would not [Page Break] wonder if he did lose all faith in woman, for I think he loved Miss Berry devotedly, and to think he received none in return, that is not from the depth of her heart, merely outside show. There are true marriage I firmly believe, one is William and Sarah [Cooks?], I never knew them well, till they came to live with us, they are so happy in each other devotion. We must live with people to know them, and I sometimes think, I always see the worst side of people combined with their good qualities. I think I know uncle and aunt Sarah to perfection, I have lived here, and know their [underlined] home character [/underlined] as well as [underlined] outside [/underlined]. Edward and Anna have large share of my affection , for I found them always the same good Christian to all, The poor people particularly in "the hills" have many causes to bless them. No one ever applied to either for help, in vain, We always owe [crossed out: have] [Page Break] a large debt of gratitude to them for their combined kindness. How thankful I am that I went [there?] to school. Happy days were they! little did I know of sorrow then, in fact I ought not to mourn now for my cup of affection has been light compared to thousands of other. When I have gone out and seen the suffering around me, I return with a more grateful heart and firmer resolutions to do better. Oh! I do try so hard to be good, but wrong will creep in, oh! if my unruly [underlined] tongue [/underlined] would [underlined] behave itself [/underlined] and not give me so much trouble, I would be so delighted. I do try not to speak against people, only look for the good instead of the bad, but some how people are sure to let me see their [underlined] mean deeds [/underlined]. Sometimes I think I did wrong to tell thee so much about Mary Moore as I did [Tulips South Carolina?], but it [underlined] would come out [/underlined]. No harm done either I guess, for I could but think of it, thee only did I ever mention it too. How Anna would laugh did she know it. I should be very sorry for her too, I am perfectly astonished to find I am nearly filled another sheet, only expected to write a few lines. Another must be written before the mail closes. It is not clear yet, but I hope it will be soon, not very pleasant in the country today, that is to walk. I have plenty of clothes to mend for Jakey to keep me busy most- all the time I stay. With much love and plenty of kisses I remain thy affection friend and wife write soon Sadie. [Page Break] [Envelope Writing] Miss Martha Schofield Erminridge Darby P.A. Delaware County Pennsylvania