I took out of long box, the marble, they were so heavy, also some
old clothing & school books. I saw but one double blanket & sent it.
The two kept were
old, &
simple			

		Village [November] 3rd, 1868
	
	I remember now that the other double blanket is in
		the long box

		My Dear Martha,
				Your letter reached <linebreak>
me late on Sunday. Yesterday we opened <linebreak>
school. Today I stayed at home
& packed your things. Tomorrow they
must go to Beaufort so as to be in 
time for the Thursday steamboat from
Savannah. Hartings & Jacob are to 
haul them down. I am afraid I 
have not done all you wished, but 
I have done the best I could. For
instance- the rope around the trunk
is of the weakest description. We 
sent to Mr. Mihols for it, & this was
all he had. We had no tacks
to tack the carpet on. The boxes
were not very secure as to lids
& we could get no boards.

[Page Break]

when I say "We", I mean my brother <linebreak>
& I, for he did all the 
nailing, strapping & moving.
every man being at the poll 
as it is election day. All our big
boys were away from school.
   Ellen says. She taught my class
as well as her own, & drove "Saxby"
home alone. I sent all the things
you wrote for but one blanket as
you had four single & two double
blankets and Ellen & I have 
not [underlined:one] [Pennsylvania] [Association] blanket
in our house to give the new 
teachers, & they may need them 
severely in this cold mattress, I 
thought I had better not send 
all. You will see that moths 
have made havoc with them
If you want the two that are
here you can have them no <paragraph break>

[Page Break]
doubt after the teachers are settled.
I do not send the boxes of shoes
& clothing, because there are already <linebreak>
two cartloads to go, & I 
cannot get more means of transportation <linebreak>
in time. If you want
these things sent they can go later <linebreak>
, but do not forget the old 
folk & orphans. I can't bear to 
have any clothing go away from
this poor island, especially as
[underlined: I] have none to give the folks.
I do not know whether the 
association would like my sending <linebreak>,
at such great expense as the 
long carting causes, things for 
the poor that may as well be
given away here _ without expense.
But [underlined:you] know, I will take care
of these things till I hear from you.

[Page Break]
I sent all your dishes in the long 
box, and I managed to " edge in"
as you say, nearly all the articles <linebreak>
that you could find useful,
except the pots etc, that belong to
the stove, two basins, and two---
also one good, and one broken pitcher.
I do not know what the poor newcomers <linebreak>
will do, but I thought your
box ought to go full, & I know you 
will want the things as well as they. 
Your preserved fruit, alas! I
had to leave_seven out of ten
jars had worked, and run out.
I was just holding what I thought
a sound one in my hand, thinking
whether to send it, when it fizzed
out up my sleeve, & I concluded
that none of them would stand 
shaking. They might spoil your

[Page Break]

other things, so I did not send any. 
If you want them you must write 
for them. And now, my dear Martha
I must say that I cannot possibly
undertake to put any valuation
on the things left. I will send you
a list, & you can return it with 
the prices marked. It will be
in plenty time for the ladies to 
decide upon. I am an ignoramus
where prices are concerned. You
can estimate much better, & are the 
right one to do it. I have not
yet heard whether those teachers
are coming or not. You are the 
only person who has in anyway
alluded to [whom?] to me, and I fear
they will get to Beaufort, & not
be able to find a shelter for
Ms.[Cooley's?] is closed I hear.

[Page Break]
I did not pack any of the boxes but 
the long box. The others were all locked
or nailed up. I only strengthened 
them, & am not responsible for breakage <linebreak>.
In the long box are [?] &
tumblers, dishes & tins_ close together
so I think breakage inevitable, but
I stowed as well as I could, & made 
the comforts do duty as protectors. 
Caroline, who was married to Jacob
by Ms Wardell of Beaufort &
who is more useful & good than
ever, and Louisa helped today.
They are all sorry you are not
coming back, & sorry too that you 
will not even come to see them.
We are [?] our preparations
for removing to [?], but cannot <linebreak>
, as yet, get it repaired. The 
[?] are all well. Much love
from Ellen & myself. Very truly yours
				Laura M. Towne

[Page Break]
		Miss Martha Schofield
Care May, W m Stone
		Aiken
			[South Carolina]
[November 3rd 1868]
		Laura Towne