Old letter was written by a woman named Sarah from the vicinity of Woodville, Mississippi. she wrote to Miss Ann. Elizabeth Bettie Hinton of Carrolton, Illinois.

Addressed to Miss Ann. E. Hinton, Carrollton, Illinois
Postmarked Woodville, Mississippi

Beach Grove
30th October 1850

Dear Bettie,

Some three or four mails have arrived since an answer to my last was due and I cannot imagine what causes the delay. I cannot think it was neglect in you but am wiling to attach all blame to failure of the mails. See how charitable I am (but go on). If I was certain you had received my letter written some three weeks before sister's last, I should wait patiently for an answer, but we are anxious to have you come this winter & I said all then that I could think of to induce you to do so. And if you will write & tell me you were so busy preparing to come you could not find the time to write sooner, I will excuse your silence, but otherwise; Ma, I says, she cannot, as she wanted to have everything ready even the carriage at the depot waiting for you.

It is not that I have anything very interesting or important to communicate that induces me to write so often for our little village of late is a dull place and gives origin to but little news. The sickness in town has abated and becoming quite healthy again since the three frosts last week & I felt that it was a winter week. We had delightful weather before that & just at the change, we attended a protracted meeting at Bethel Camp Ground & not knowing how cold it was (being in the house by a fire all the morning) went down without a shawl & remained on the ground all day. When I got home, I was completely chilled [and] have not been well since as I have a cold that is just leaving me. Sister & I were guilty of the same imprudence & have suffered alike. Before that meeting we had not attended preaching for several weeks. Our minister has been absent from his post for some weeks & our country people were afraid to go to town while the Dengue prevailed -- the physicians thinking it unsafe as many did have it from going in & remaining only a short time. Mr. Dranghon had quite a severe attack of it. Confined him to his room about eight days. It is nothing serious, yet those that have it are a long while recovering.

Ma & the rest of the family are well except colds as I mentioned. The children are well. Frances is a very sweet interesting child. You would think she was nearer twelve months old than eight. She resembles her father only in size. I do not think she favors any of the family. The servants will have it she is the image of you & often tell sister she ought to give her your name.

The Dillinghams have not returned. There have been many reports in circulation about them lately. First that they did not expect to return, & then that old Mr. Dillingham was dead, & in the midst of his friends grief, a letter from him stated that he was very [alive?] & was at that time traveling through Canada to try & gain his strength but thought it very doubtful that he ever would recover.

Our neighborhood is healthy at this time & has had quite an addition lately, by Mr. Wailes & family moving out to B____wood. Mrs. Barton ² often speaks of you. Her health is bad & looks worse than for years past. A brother of Mr. Barton's is coming from New York to see her in December. She has never seen any of his family.

How is your brother's health & what does he say about coming with you to Mississippi? I should think you had some very cold weather for two weeks past. It has caused us to think & speak of you oftener. It is drier that I ever knew it to be before. Have had no rain to extend over the place since the last of July or first of August and probably you can imagine how dusty it is.

Aunt Yates [Gates?] is here now [and] will probably remain a week & intends spending the winter on the River with some of her relatives. She has just returned here today from a visit to some of her friends & is afraid to go to town yet. She says always give her love to Mr. Yates [Gates?] & the children & tell him to write to her.

The rest of your friends that I have not mentioned are well -- Dr. [David] Holt especially though I have not seen him lately, yet I hear from him. His daughter's family have gone to New Orleans to live. He is engaged in a commission house. Neither of the Miss Luigns [?] are married yet.

Well, dear Bettie, I must bid you good night as all have retired and if I can dream or think of anything worth relating, I can put in a p.s. in the morning.

I have thought of nothing more but I dreamed of seeing brother James & welcoming him home again. Would that we could be made so happy. I shall look for him in December at farthest. A year ago yesterday week since he left us. None that left Woodville have returned but some are expected daily. Now Bettie, tell me you are coming & when you will leave home. Ma & sister send love to you all & the children talk of Aunt Bettie almost every day. My respects to Mr. Yates & your brothers & tell them if they wish to oblige us, they must have you come & pass the coming winter with us. We will promise to do all we can to have your time pass more pleasantly than when you were here last & hope the weather will be more favorable.

Write as soon as you get this & let me know how you are as you did not say anything about your health in your last. Love to Annie & a kiss to Dottie. Adieu.

Your ever affectionate friend, Sarah