May 2, 1872 letter to Sarah Keith from Nancy Betts

May 2, 1872

To: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI

From: Nancy Betts, Omro, WI

Nancy is writing her daughter, Sarah, about her state of health which is presently poor. She is complaining about indigestion and heart palpitations that are causing her to sleep poorly. She has received a letter from her grandson, Eugene Crawford, who has finished some academic courses and received his diploma. He also mentioned that his sister, Edna, is attending Notre Dame. Nancy has also been visited by her son, Prosper, who has been spending the spring driving logs. He and his wife had their first son on April 16^th. The baby is doing well. She has also heard from her sons Robert, Henry and David, but has not heard from Hiram lately. She hopes that Sarah and her family are all well.  

Scan of 1872-05-02 Nancy Betts to Sarah Keith

Omro  May 2th 1872

Dear daughter Sarah

I take my pen in hand to a dress a few lines to you to let you know how I be. My health is quite poor at present. I have the Dyspepsia and the palpitation of the heart. It trobles me so that I cant sleep much. I have ben taking the Vinegar Bitters for some time and thought they whare helping me for I was a goodeal better than I had ben for weekes but they have faild. O I do wish you could come out and see me. I often think of you and wish we could live near together. I received aletter from Eugene L Crawford.[1] He writes that he has got through his Coures and has got is Diaploma. He sais he has received aletter from Edna Crawford[2] and she sais she is atending school at Notra Dame four miles from South Bend. She writes that her mother[3] is quite sick and wants Eugene to come home. He sais he wont go for there is nothen for him to do. We expect him home in a week or two. Prosper[4] was here to day. His health is quite poor at present. He has ben on the Drive[5] and his work has been to hard for him. The river is so low it is hard work to get the logs down. His wife[6] has a young son[7] two weeks old last tuseday. It was born the 16 of April. She is very smart and the child is well. It has ben very dry and cold wether but a few dayes a go we had a blessed good rain. It rain a few hours and some vegation has put forth rapped. Lousia[8] and the children is well. She had letter from Robert[9] and he is well. I received a letter from Henry,[10] himself and famly was well. He writes there hired girl dide the 6 of April. She was a Polon[?]. She was the best hired girl that I ever see for work neetness. I received one from David[11] last month. He writes that his wife[12] lost her mother.[13] She whent to Utah for her health and she dide[14] thear. They where well. I have not heard from Hiram[15] lately. I wish I was well. I hope thease few lines will find you all well and injoying good health. My love to you all my Dear Sarah. Write soon when you receive this. From your affectionate Mother.

S C Keith         N B Betts

NB   Give my love to Mrs Burdis when you her and all inquireing frinds.

You Mother

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[1] Her grandson, Eugene Leslie Crawford

[2] Her granddaughter and Eugene’s half-sister

[3] Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

[4] Lucius Prosper Crawford, Nancy’s youngest son

[5] Driving is a means of moving logs downstream using the current of the river

[6] Isabella (Steele) Crawford

[7] Leo Ashton Crawford

[8] Her son Robert’s wife, Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[9] Her son, Robert Crawford

[10] Her son, Henry Clay Crawford

[11] Her son, David Caleb (“D. C.”) Crawford

[12] Amanda (Thornton) Crawford

[13] Hannah (Heaton) Thornton Jones

[14] While the headstone has a death date of April 1, 1876, the April 3, 1872 edition of the Colorado Transcript has the following: JONES – At Wellsville, Utah, on March 31, of bronchitis, Mrs. Hannah Jones, aged 48 years, wife of G. W. Jones, of this place. Deceased had been a resident of Golden since its settlement, but was visiting Utah for her health. She was the mother of our esteemed friend, Mrs. D. C. Crawford. Her death is mourned by a large circle of friends.

[15] Her son, Hiram Crawford Jr.