Nancy R. Brown & Sarah E. Brown* Benton County, Missouri - December 11,1855 *This letter appears to have survived only in transcription form 1855 Benton Co. Mo. December the 11 Dear Niece, I take the present opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know we are all well at present hoping these few lines will find you all enjoying the same blessings I received your kind letter and was glad to hear you was all well but sorry to hear you was suffering so much with your arm I was very much disappointed about the visit of your Mother Tell her I will excuse her this time as circumstances can always alter cases Tell Sara Ann and William I wish them both much joy for their fine daughter I was mutch pleased that she was well and had done so well I got home Safe from your house and in the same evening I got to Mr Godwin’s and in a day or two after that Sarilda, I and Mary Ann was taken down with the chills and then James with the bilious fever and then Sarah E with the chills and I was for 7 or 8 weeks hardly able to do any thing myself It was about two weeks that I could not walk strait and hardly any way I was so afflicted with risens on my back but we have all got well once more at last I expect that Christmas visit Be shure and come Bring your knitting and stay a week as the old saying is I heard from Rufus Godwin a few days ago They was all well and doing well If you know of any wright nice old batchler that you would like to call Uncle you can bring him out when you come as batchelors are tolerable scarce in these parts I assure you I have nothing more to write at present only you must excuse my bad written letter as I have a very bad pen Give my love to your Mother and Father and Sarah Ann and family and all the children and all who may see fit to inquire after my welfare So no more at present but remain your Affectionate Aunt untill Death Be shure and come no more farewell for a while Nancy R Brown Emira J Marshall take notice I want you to get me the Draft of the Double Bo Not Coverlid and bring it with you Dear cousin As Mother has left a small space I will write you a few lines to let you now that I have not forgotten you The health of our neighborhood is very good at this time Mr McKain started home this morning But will return back in the spring so you need not cry about it We had a wedding in our neighborhood last Friday You and Miss Sarah Anderson ust be certain to come and bring Mary F and Amanda with you Tell Mandy that Peter says that he loves her as well as ever I must bring my letter to a close by saying give my love to Uncle George and Aunt Betsey, Cousin Sarah Ann and Cousin William and all the children and accept a double portion for yourself Miss Sarah E Brown to her Cousin Emira J Marshall remember me when this you see Sarah E.