Trafalgar January 8th 1855
Dear Sister
I supose this will be unexpected as I have never wrote to you since we were parted so far from each other many years have past a way many changes have taken place and many triels we have past through you as well as my self have had to know the loss of your partrner. but as all your sons are as men I hope they do their duty to help to make you comforthouble I received a letter from you rote by your Doter Ann but I never asnwered as I new that my money could not be sent to me in that way my Brother in law looked after it and sent it to me it was only a small som but better than nothing. I thought hard of you never wrighting to me wen my Father died I think he acted veary unkind to me as he left me nothing that he had of is own only half of what was coming from my Grandfather butt thank God I have never wanted for I have everything that I need to make me comforthuble in this world my family is all getting yousefull my two oldest daughters is married they did not marry rich men but steady sober men that is all ways hadding
they are pretty comforthouble my oldest son Jackson Charls is seventeen next month he is as tall as is Father wass Rebbeca is 14 and is as tall as me. George Henry is my youngest he is 12 tomorrow we are all in veary good health I have all ways ad good health this is the greatest blessing in life I hope this will find you and all your family well I hope you have steady good boys and sons of temprence none of my children never tast strong drink I never have licker in the hous since my Dear husband died I shopuld like veary mutch to have a letter from you and to know how you are getting a long for all things is getting veary dear and let me know what traids your sons is we often talk of you and think of you and often pray for you I hope Dear sister if we never meet again in this world that we will prepair to meet in heaven thair all troubles sease and the wary is at rest Dear sister I understand that most of our friends are dead I was sorry to hear that ant Agam [Translation Note: possibly "Aunt Agar" because Mary drops her "h's" and "Hagar" is the possible name] ad so mutch trouble in her family but they are all gon only Mr Prends Doughles [Translation Note: could be "Mr Prends Doughter",possibly "Mr. Prentice's daughter"] left I should like to know if ant Betsy is a live yet Dear sister I hope you will not neglect to write to me and let me know all potichlers a bout your famely how hold they are I should mutch like to se you all but this cannot be. My oldest Doughter has two fine boys thare names John Henery George Hardy Hall Ann my second Dater as a little girl her name is Mary So I must conclude and remain your affectioned Sister
Mary Hardey
