R. E. Day’s Letter to S. Day, 16 October 1831
TRANSCRIPT OF L.E. DAY LETTER
S. Day at Mr. H. Hadlow
At R. B. Miller Esq.
John Street, Utica, Oneida County, New York
America
Handen [England] Oct 16th 1831
Dear Uncle S. Day an[d] H. Hadlow
By the favour of Edward Boorman we embrace the opportunity of sending you a few lines as he is going back to America very shortly at the same time hopeing [sic] to find you all quite well as I am happy to say it leaves us all.
There is no good news to send you from England for it is still in a very unsettled [sic] state which I suppose you see as you have Newspapers from here. They continue to burn in many parts. There was a large fire at Challock last Sunday Night which burnt all the buildings of a large Farm of Lord Winchilsea in the occupation of a Mr. Rogers with about 40 quarters of Beans.
There is but a short crop of Corn this year, Wheat in particular. Hops in many parts was very bad. But round here for a few parishes they were better. Father had a fair Crop for the year. The average price is about five pounds.
When we received your letter Aunt Oliver wrote to Mrs. Ralph as she is gone back to live but we have not heard from her since we have not time to let Aunt know that we was going to write as we have but a short time to write in but they was all quite well when we saw them last. Mrs. Selves has been very poorly but she is better now. They send their Love to you.
Mrs. Braiser was confined this hopping [i.e. hops harvest] of another daughter. She is very hearty. Uncle Peter continues his Beer Shop. They are very well and send their Love to you.
William Hadlow was here in June. He was just returned from a voyage to the Indias and a very narrow escape he had with new more for their lives. The boat in which they was sunk and they had to swim a mile to shore by which time poor William was nearly exhausted [sic]. He was very ill the most of the way home. He looked very bad when he first came. He stayed about three weeks. He was much better when he went away. We have not heard from him since. He intended to make another voyage to the Indias. He seemed very much put out at not hearing from his Father. Richard Watts sends his Love to you all and he is still livi[ing] with us, but he has quite given up go[ing] to America.
After hopping we had a dance in Mr. Selves’s Oast and Sarah [text missing] had the misfortune to prop down the haying hole but fortunately she escaped with a slight bruise on her elbow.
Grandfather sends his Love to you and is quite as well as can be expected at his years.
[Letter continues in different handwriting]
Dear Brothers you must excuse my not righting [sic]. I got Mary to right [sic]. You must not acspect [expect] anny [sic] of us in America for we hear different account from there but more bad than good but I hope you will let us know how you are a getting [sic] on when you right [sic] and let us know wich [sic] is best England or America. For my part I think Handen will do with industry [sic]. We shall be very happy to hear from you when conveyent [convenient]. No more at present from your affectnate [affectionate] Brother & Sister. R. E. Day
Westfall Collection #8.1.a.os.1.1...