Susan B. Anthony Papers, 1815-1961. Correspondence. With family; also cousins and uncle Albert F. and aunt Eliza Dickinson, 1843-1845. 9 ALS.. A-143, folder 11. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Danby 2nd Aug 13th 1843

Dear Cousins

Cousin Elisha Lapham & Joseph, his eldest son (a bright boy of about 17) are expecting to start for Easton tomorrow morn and when they return to come by the way of Center-Falls; So I improve the opportunity to let you know that Sis and myself arrived safe home Seventh day afternoon, we had a pleasant ride the day we started from your house, it was not quite as cold as we expected, we called at Salem, arrived at [H--- Ellvells??] about a minute and half before two oclock. P.M. Landed Safe to Uncle [JS??]. little before dark; and you must know, - though I could hardly beleive my own eyes - that the little black - call him what you are a mind too didn't stake once that day nor the next, nor the next one. He is noble house I mean to give him some lasses candy. Enough of that I must leave something for Samantha though I dont know as she is going to write anything. Let us pop on to the next chapter I suppose you and Hannah think I am on my way to Burlington, but I am not, I am seated in brother Aaron's setting room keeping house all alone with [drawing of a pipe?] in my mouth and pen in my hand taking solid comfort writing to my affection cousins.

Father is going to the north with me and his busines is such that he cannot leave till next [fifth??] day. I long for the time to come when I can once more meet my class mates and give each a hearty shake of the hand then to hoin in as a fresh [portner?] for the common cause of Education.

I am not yet sorry Susan for the first & only time that I even set up with a young lady, for my mind was then somewhat releived. I was indeed glad to deem that the efforts which some of our friends here in Danby made to prejudice you against our family proved fruitless. But I am almost sory that I said what I did say in respect to the confidece I repored in some of our cousins here and even my own uncle in one case. For I dislike to unnecessarily say what will have any tendency to prejudice one person against annother, and I hope you will not let it have that affect upon you, I have reasons for thinking as I did but perhaps not for speaking as I did. But what was spoken from my lips as respects that part of the subject I shall expect never will be repeated by yours, for they do now treat me well and as long as they continue to do so I am satisfied, and of course ought to treat them well. Expplain not this part of my letter tell Hannah she had better skip it. Paulina is going to be married next week joy go with her if possible. Aaron & [Sophrona??] have gone to [Granville?]. I wrote a letter to Gideon Baker last night sent it by Asa Smith's people when I went to [fodder?] last night Asa's girls rode down to aunt she's with me and you see we had

a kind of a [sitting?] and poped some corn he he he You know Reuben said "keep reasonable hours children" so I shall be obliged to get off and go to bed Give my respects to Uncle Daniel and Aunt Lucy may be Daniel and reserve a [??] for yourselves

S.R. Anthony From Your Friend & Cousin H.L Anthony M.E. [??]

Susan B. Anthony Center Falls N.Y.

by the [???] of JB [????]

[6]

[Text upside-down at top of letter]

N.B. Seth Rogers's marriage has been published in Danby! Paulina is keeping house and the little ones follow her round bawling Ma! Ma! Ma! I shall be at home by the first Saturday in August you know what I told you about [being?] to Ecola Falls then

Burlington [W.V.M.?] June 7th 1843

Cousin Susan

I can give you no satisfactory reasons for not answering your letter long before this, for I have none that are satisfactory, to myself. I must therefore plead guilty, and I pray you to have mercy on me. Be assured I have neglected this duty not because I have forgotten you, for not less than three or four times have I set myself down with a determination to answer your letter, when I have been interrupted and my attention called to something else. I know not where this letter may find you, whether seated upon an old three legged chair in an old rickety school house "teaching the young ideas how to shoot"; or situated in a tasty brick maison standing on a beautiful green, filled with shrubbery and shade trees now in full bloom; there importing the principles of Botany, Philosophy & Chemistry or perhaps drilling a class of young gentleman & ladies, (now [reigned?] up before the black-board), upon the sweet principles of Algebra, after the manner of the "Danby School Master"; or under the parental roof attending to culinary duties which you say seems so much like an old maids life; or this letter may find you if it finds you at all, for might I know in such a situation as forbids your ever answering this or any other like communication, may God forbid it to be so! I of course cannot have much to say that would be very interesting to you, being situated as I am among a people and in a place you are wholly unacquainted with. It was fifteen weeks last Thursday, since I came from home I have frequently heard from home since I have been here, the last news I had our people were all well which was about two weeks since Samantha is all alone George says she makes it go finely keeping house, but I rather guess she is a little lonesome now and then. I would like very much to spend a little time at home more on her account than on my own

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I shall expect an answer to this very room I want to know where you are &cc &cc whether you are about getting married or not xoxo my love to Easton folks if you see them.