To: Sophronia Troupe – Fostoria, Ohio
From: Lydia Story
Envelope – yes (date on envelope doesn’t match letter)
Dear Niece, Mar 30, 1874
I sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present, hoping these few lines may find you all enjoying good health. I received your welcome letter last week and was very glad to hear from home again.
Well Frony {Sophronia Troupe} I got a letter from Lizzie {Sarah Elizabeth Troupe} about a week ago. She wrote that she hadn’t got no letter from you for a long time. I will write one to her today.
Well Frony, {Sophronia Troupe} it keeps me busy to take care of the children, but they are about over the whooping cough. We was to prayer meeting yesterday and to meeting last night for the first time since I come back from Ohio and that is the longest I have stayed out of meeting since Lewis {Lewis Hanas} died.
Willard {Willard Orson Story} is chopping up on my place, he is clearing for a potato patch. We are a living on Reams place. We have to pay two dollars rent a month.
Well Frony, {Sophronia Troupe} old Traster hant married yet. But George Hanas’s cook has a baby a week old. It is a boy. Hiw is that for high? I think he would better marry her. She has been pretty sick. She has the (unreadable) in her face, but the worst of all is George {George Hanas} says she forced him. So it goes.
Well now I will tell you that I was at George (Bapps?) yesterday. Mary Ann is the very picture of health. She weighs nearly two hundred pounds. I think I am getting poor fast, but I wouldn’t wish to be as fleshy as Mary (Bupp?) is. She has made a garden already. I guess I will make garden this week.
Susan is just more than making quilts. She quilted two since I moved away from there. I was over there the other day, Annaliza {Lydia Ann Eliza (Hutchins) Lovett} was piecing at one.
Jonas {Jonas Hutchins} is going to work for Roscoe {Roscoe Gustavis Hutchins} this summer. Well, Frony, {Sophronia Troupe} I milk one cow. Her calf is a week old. Maybe I will buy me another one after a while, when I will get some money. As soon as I will get some money I will send Mother {Sarah (Hampshire) Stahl} hers. I think I have some poor pay masters but maybe I will get it after a while.
Cale {Caleb Traster} Trasters and Mary and her man lives over in Trasters house close to Roscoe’s.
Anns girl is fast commencing to walk. Ann was here last week one evening. She had a very bad cold. Well Frony, {Sophronia Troupe} when you write again, write how Mike’s Sarah is if you know. I am very sorry she is sick but I hope she is better again for I think a great deal of her. She has always been very kind to me and I will never forget her for it. I guess I have wrote all for this time.
My best respects to you all. Come to see us when you can. Roscoe’s and Henry’s {Hutchin’s} are all well. So no more at present. Write soon if you please.
Lydia Story to Sophronia Troupe