1851-09-17 Mail from Mamaroneck to Morris, Otsego County

Stampless cover unfolded.

Folded to mail. 2 3/4" by 4 1/2"

Mamaroneck 9 Mos. 17Th 1851

Dear Fanny,
I am thinking I will now
take my seat with my pen + write
a few lines to thee but I have but
a very few moments to spare. I received
Rowlands letter last week, with thanks.
You will recollect that I spoke of find-
ing Deborah Tompkins sick. She had the
dysentery very bad but they did not think
her dangerous, but her health was so slender
at best that at _ ry doo wore her strength
all away + she died on the first Tuesday after
my arrival here. & Such a house of
mourners. The funeral was attended at
the house at 2 o’clock on Thursday the gather-
ing on the solemn occasion was very large.
Richard Mott (?) was here. Her circle of rela-
tives was summoned, the remains we followed
to Paschade for internment. The weather
was very warm indeed all the week.

They have not had any rain of consequence
here this summer, there was a very good
shower last Seventh day night. The weather
since has been cold. They sent to Albany
?ine Pastaness, New York and Shppagana for
the relatives to attend the funeral.
I have staid here all the time till
yesterday I made a visit + I am going
to Cornells today. I am glad I came as
I did for I had the privilege of seeing my
good friend while she lived + ???????
my poor help sometimes the family are
now lonely + would be glad for me
to stay longer + it would suit me right
well, but I think I shall go to see
Gulielma about the last of this month
after I get there I shall write again.
I want to hear from you as often as I
can. I shall be here all next week if
thou will write me.
Extraordinaries excepted I shall
probably be home s?llmso + c
n’ haste Kati

I am very sorry I can’t see Abay
my best love to her +c I would
be glad of a letter from her.

The entire letter is on a sheet of paper 6 7/8" x 13 3/4". That large page is folded to 6 7/8" x 8 3/8" to create 4 sides. One side was devoted to the address and the 3 remaining sides used for the message.

The PDF below may be the life story of the man that the letter was sent in "care of," R. R. Collins.

Rowland Robinson Collins passed away in Kansas in 1891, a long way from Morris, Otsego County, New York.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105756038/rowland-robinson-collins

It appears that Frances Smith was a member of the Collins household -- according to 1850 US Census for Morris, NY.