Bloomington Polk Co Oregon Aug 3d 1856

Dear Niece,

I have delayed writing to you for some time owing to sickness trouble
and some other things which are not profitable to mention. I have
written a long letter to you father in which I gave a full discription of
the sickness and death of your good grandfather his is no more, his
spirit has gone to him who gave it and his body layed in the damp
cold grave. it seems as though he had been preparing for this end some
time previous to its coming. he has lately read the New Testament
through twice and was reading the old But I think he did not quite finish
it previous to his death. he seemed to be much more patient in the latter
part of his life, than he was in his younger days. he said to us while lying
sick that he had problably done many wrongs to us in his lifetime but he
could not see it at the time. he said he wanted us all to forgive him as far
as we could your grandmother takes his death very hard and I am afraid
whe will grieve herslef to death. She wants us to get tomb-stones and fixt
to his grave. tell your Father if we dont get some at San Franciso we will
send back ther for some and he must see that the largest and very finest
quality are procured. we want to get a good deal of writing put on them
Lavina I want you to go to that little hickary grove on the west of the old
home and pick two of the nicest oak leaves you can find and send them
in your next letter also two hickary ones at different times along. I wish
you would continue to send until you send every kind of leaf that grows
in the old granate state. Send me a leaf off grandma's favorite walnut also
one off the rosebush by the front door your letter of the (20 Jan) I believe
was the first I have ever received from you but I hope you will not make
it the last. the children are all pretty well though they have all been sick with
colds there are a great many children dying with the flux. the lung fever is
raging in Oregon at this time. I received a very kind and interesting letter
from P.M. Murphy some days since give my respects to all and believe me
as ever your loving

Aunt Lissie

Sept. Our territorial meeting commences this week at Monmouth there is
great preparations being made for it and I hope much good will be done

Tell your mother She must take this letter as written to her also, give my
respects to all Your Aunt Lissie

*Postscript*
Afternoon

Dear Little Erastus

you very pretty little letter came safe to hand. it is indeed a neat letter
I will save the card until the babe gets old enough to take care of it himself
he is truly a treasure his face is as sweet as the honey dew and his eyes of
pearly brightness I want to have his miniature taken this summer and send
back to Illinois I dont know but I will have to beg off from the name as his
Pa asked for the name before he started to the war we have concluded to
call him Thomas Otis we think the name you selected was a very pretty one
and would be pleased to the little Judge by patronizing his name. Jimmy
sends his love to you Robert is out in the orchard singing at the top of his
voice or else he would send his love you must write to them again

Your Aunt Lissie

*Postscript*

Now Grandville

you and Isaac are last but not least we would be just as glad to see your
little faces as if you were as large as Jarvis be good boys and write us a
letter as soon as you can when they get the great Pacific railroad done
we will to to see you
Good Bye

Tell Aunt Nancy Butler if she dont answer my letter she need not expect another