Geneva,          

Walworth Co.

Wisconsin

U.S.

My very dear Brother,

                        I cannot tell you how surprised and thankful I was to receive your letter with the photograph’s of my own beloved Father & Mother, in looking at them once more, how forcibly was I reminded of bye gone days when we were all at home.  Well my dear Brother truly we may never all  meet again here but  blessed be God’s wish and I would that all of us have his assurance that we shall meet in a land where no mighty ocean can again separate us, and our loved ones no more be snatched away by the hand of death.  I  know I have to sing those beautiful lines ‘No chilling winds or poisonous  breath can reach that healthful shore’.  I have a beautiful album holding  fifty pictures & hope that you will send me your three as soon as possible.  I cannot tell you how much these would be prized by us.  Do send them soon, please.  We intend to get a number of each of ours taken soon.  I will then send some to you if you would like to have them.  I often talk to my boys about you all.  They were much pleased on seeing their Grandpa and Grandma.  We have all received one of Grandma Smith and Sister D??? we think theirs very  natural and Father and Mother’s exceedingly good, having been taken from a painting.  I sent them off at once with the letter to M.A. and have received them again to-day.  It is a great comfort to us both that we are so near each other - only 25 miles.  I have received a letter from her at noon and she gets an answer to the same at 7 the same evening.  I spent 2 or 3 days there with her last week.   They are all well.  She sends her love to you, hopes Elizabeth will write soon.  I was truly delighted with your wife’s letter.  Tell her I have not received a letter worth so much to me in a long time.  I assure you I feasted over that  ??? of hers.  Oh! What I would give to come and see you all sometimes.  I get less patient and think that I will come if it costs us all we possess  of this world’s goods , the voyage.  I  should dread but little.  I do hope once more to see you all.  I presume I should feel somewhat proud of my nephews and nieces.  I am thankful to say my own health is now quite good.  Last Spring my health was poor.  I suffered much with pain in my side, but the last few months I feel better than I have in a long time.  When you write to John, please give my love, and tell him we have been expecting to hear from him for a long time and wonder if he has ever received a package we sent him .  I am very thankful there is some prospect  of a settlement of  Uncle’s money, as regards the manner of sending it Stephen wishes me to say the best way is for you to buy a draft for the amount at your own bank in London (whatever bank they draw on) and send it to me.  The same for M.A.  We can sell it here at a very small discount from the price of gold.  Yesterday our bankers would have given us 68 cents premium on the dollar (which is  at the rate of  7 shillings for every 4^s/2^d).  You will not wonder therefore at our being anxious, and even a little nervous.  Will you please send the enclosed to Eliza.  M.A.’s address is Mrs. M. A. Smith, ??? Grove, Racine Co., Wisconsin, U.S.  Stephen sends his kind regards, says I can tell you he feels as young as ever, and can run as fast, and cannot realize that you are getting old.  To think that Elizabeth is  troubled to see with glasses appears strange indeed.  Respecting your teeth I would most I would certainly have a set of false ones.  Do you ever hear anything from Anne and Jones.  It is a long time since we heard .  Does Collins have any share in Uncle’s property?  The address of course you will find at the commencement of this.  Give our love to dear sister Elizabeth and son Willie.  Ask Willie to write to me next time you send.  Hoping to hear soon.  Believe me.

Your affectionate sister,

Sarah