Copy of letter written by Matilda (Howard) Cook to her sister Mrs. Betsy (Howard) Colley, Debruin, Pulaski County, Mo. Found in things belonging to Pearl Viola (Tom) Gray after her death.

Princeton, Ky April 29,1879

Dear sister,

I received your letter last week and was glad to hear from you all again. I am now staying with sister Patsey. Her and I was talking about you all the week before your letter was received and thought we would write to you. I have quit keeping house this spring and don’t think I shall ever live as I have been. It was so lonely and desolate just with my daughter Aggie and one of my granddaughters. All of my children are married but one. I think of staying with them and sister Patsey. I think I will enjoy that life better than as before. I have rented the farm to one of my sons that lived close by and moved my things to his house there they will be taken care of. Sister Nancy and Willy have broke up house keeping and rented their farm out and are living with their children. They are all married.

Brother Groves and Nancy are still keeping house. Their children are all married but two girls that stay with them and one son in Texas. We hear from brother Billie throu him. He has only two children, one married, the other single. I recon Frank will wonder what has become of my daughter Eliza’s children, the are all grown. The two oldest girls are married, the oldest married Patsey’s step-son. The other married Lucinda Barnett’s son. The other girl stayed with me while I kept house. She now stays with her sister. The oldest one, Georgie has traveled around several places, has not married yet.

I went down to see Caroline last July. She was suffering with rheumatism. She lives with her last daughter, her children are all married. Betsy Banaster, Susan Howard, Patty Thorpe and John are all. Uncle Jimmy Cook’s children are all dead except Drury. He may be dead or be living.

Mr. Brown’s children are all married. Patsey taken Marcia Howard’s child. Owen Howard daughter’s child to raise when it was four weeks old (She married Mr. Smith and died and left a baby). It is six years old now and going to school. Patsey says she would like to come see you all and would if there was a railroad going from here to where you live. She has been talking of going to see brother Billy but she thinks she had rather come to see you all.

We are all getting old and there has been many changes since we seen each other. We would have many things to talk of could we be together. Patsy says she wants Betsy’s picture and any of the others that will send theirs. We want you to write again. If you think it a big undertaking to write, make some of your children write and I will answer them. Write and tell us about Silas’s family and about Lilburn if you know anything about them. Times are hard here and money scarce. There has been a great deal of sickness and deaths but none of our connection has died lately. Only Minerva Pickering.

Well I will close hoping this will find you all enjoying good health. Write Soon. Your letters are much pleasure to us all. This leaves us well. Give our love to all except a portion for yourself.

From Matilda Cook

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