Mary H. Child letter to Martha Schofield

Darby 5th [Month] 12th [1872]
My ever dear Mart

After taking my nap
and putting up my clothes for [Yearly] Meeting
I will chat awhile with thee it has been
very warm here all the week rain is waiting
badly 6th day PM. Father and I went in to
to the [Indian?] [Committee], then went up to Samuel
Ashs to meet aunt Eliza she came on
that morning and went on to Swarthmore
then back to Sallies to tea she had invited
Jesse Jones Martha & Anne to tea so we
had a nice time she wanted to know all
about you, the [underlined:house], the [underlined:people] and all,
she is much interested, and we congratulated
her on being [underlined:grandmother], Melissa had
a young son, a few day before all doing well
7th day AM. I called on [Doctor] Hassenplug, he was
much pleased to hear from thee and that thee
was so comfortably fix'd, they have a nice home
and he has plenty to do- told me to come several

[crosshatched writing]

much love to you all I often think of dear Liza
going about so quietly
[?] off Mother

The most beautiful
quilting I ever saw
Lyd was quite
overwhelm
Bell,
Father is with Sallie
to take care of the baby
quite a [?] to her
Annie expects to go
next 7th day week
I dont know where I
shall get another
have engage Ann
[?] to
come till
I get one=
I am so sorry
to part with
her [?] she
must go to
her mother

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times [through] the week, we then went to
Place [Street] Meeting, had a large and very
interesting Meeting morning & afternoon
several strangers Samuel M. Journey Benjamin
Hallowell & wife John Needels & wife J.D.
Wright, Thomas [T'ouek?] Samuel Townsend and
others our dear George [Truman] opened the [meeting]
spoke of those who were with us last year but
now had gone up higher, [though] he believed it
were possible for their spirit to mingle
with us here and the Father could make
his angels nurturing spirits to assist us
on our way; in the PM. he alluded feelingly
to the state of society after the queries had been
answered, though there was no cause of discouragement ,
that the gospel would be preached, and
he could number 60 young minions within
the [?] of our Yearly [Meeting] and beautifully
did he speak of the tender care that this body
of fathers & mothers in the Church should
exercise toward those, instead of being too
critical they should take them by the
hand and lead them gently along

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handing forth the word of
encouragement, which might prove
as a brook by the way to those who often
feel their weakness and their inability
for any good thing- we came out in
the evening and are spending a quiet
day at home no public stronger at Darby
but suppose all the Meeting houses in
town are fill'd to overflowing- the new
[Meeting] house at 17th & Giraid Avenue was
opened last to day and many had to go
away without getting in, Sallie was one of
the [Committee] 'to finish it', and it was nicely
done all carpeted in the Schoolhouse,
Clem. Biddell told [inserted: them] to get the very best
body Brussel carpet and he would pay
the bill, just like him wasnt it? we go
in tomorrow morning wont thee think of us?
Suppose thee has received both letters I
have written since my return- I shall
want to hear from you very often and know
how you are coming on with improvements
and everything, has [Virgil?] gotten [through] with

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the carpenter work to thy satisfaction?
suppose the [?] will then be busy
wont it be nice when it is all done?
how does cousin Beckie do in the
tunnels? but then I know she can accumulate
hersely to circumstances and will
be glad to see it finished before she leaves
you, how you will miss her a friendship
found which I trust will not soon be broken.
tell cousin Issac Morris Palmer spent
an hour or two here this PM. was asking particularly
after [?] they boarded some time with them
and he thought so much of him was glad to know
I had been there & that they were doing well-
William [Dorey?] was reappointed clark of the select
[meeting] I spoke to him and he was so cordial
says he is better & they had received a letter
from thee- good many enquires often thee yesterday
Oh the sun is just like a southern sun-no sign
of rain- I will send a pair of spectacles
for aunt Anny and other glases she can have

[crosshatched writing]

just-in if,
there dont
sent her
will send
them in a
paper-
We are sitting
on the Porch
[?] & wondrous
all open
suppose thee
will direct
today
letter to
L m Child
aunt [Eliza] is
now coming
out to Darby
will stay in
town till 5th
day- she
brought Lydia
with her
silk & [?]

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