[Elam Bodman to family and friends on the death of his wife, Jerusha, 1840]

Tarlton (1/2 mile below) May 3 1840

Dear Father Mother & Friends,
 
      I have taken a sheet this (Sunday) evening for the purpose of giving you a few lines   I suppose there is many things which you would like to know about that is how I get along in my present situation in life and what my desighns [sic] are if spared in the Providence of God for the future as for the present   I feel considerably the earthly loss which I have met with yet am sensible of quite a spiritual improvement   Jerusha had a very strong hold of my affections as the attachment we had for each other was formed and met with reciprocal feelings on both sides verry [sic] early in life and did to the hour of her death strengthen so that I knew but little of its strength until I saw her beyond recovery   the feebleness of her health for the last 3 years which was not so fully known by our friends at W¹ as by myself this gave her a place in any feeling which would not been the case in other circumstances and our being so entirely away from our friends served to attach us verry closely   I have spent much time that I might be a comfort to her which would made me much better off in the world but the thought that I have spared to no time or money in trying to have her recover her health when I thought it of any use is now verry much of a consolation   I did hope her journy [sic] and the change of climate would be of perminant [sic] benifit [sic] but it was too late though much of an improvement    before this reaches you you will learn that I have sent her clothing back and I told Father H² in a letter I sent yesterday that such things as I had got for her I wished you to have. The fine straw bonnett [sic] which was lined with black for Sylvia³ and the blk [sic] dresses I give to Angeline⁴ also 1 of the silver thimbles   I did not pay the freight on it 97 lbs   must close for the Eve late when begun
      Tuesday Eve   after having been behind the plow all day with a smart pair of horses I don't feel much like writing but if the weather is good shall be busy for awhile   been rainy most of the time for 2 weeks which has put me back about my plowing have just begun for corn
      I think my chance is fair one this summer   have one third I raise divide it in field in shock he finds teams seed and evry [sic] thing at my hand
      I have house & quite a large stable pasture for cow & hogs and some patches of land making with the gardin [sic] near ¾ of an acre of the best of land and the privilege of as many Apples I wish for family use also privilege of making the cider at halves if I choose it {large orchard}   house 2 story log with back cha kitchin [sic] and shed. good well I rent it at $24. per year keep most of the gardin [sic] & the chamber let him my cow pays $1.00 per month for the pasture for cow   his name John Depry[?] no family but wife young folks married 1½ year board me at $1.50 per week, common price is 1.75 to 2.00 without washing have mine done in bargin [sic]   verry neat   fine folks have evry [sic] thing as near to my mind as if kept house myself and think it will continue to be so they are to have the house no longer than I board with them must close for this eve.   Thursday Eve   away last night to prayer meeting about nine   not write much now for the present I feel no anxiety to return to W nor does anything of worldly nature seem to have the assendency [sic] in my mind as heretofore   in short I enjoy myself verry well am making an effort to start a Bible class in town think shall succeed but more about it Sunday   the field I put in to corn and oats contains about 45 acres   1 or 2 acres been dug up getting gravil [sic] for turnpike   it is preferable to any land in N Hampton⁵ meadow   field close to house have the privilege of putting it to wheat in fall on same terms he (Mr Shoemaker) wants I should find team and take half but am determined to as soon as I can get out of horse flesh for the one I bought last fall tried hard to die last winter had a sore on his shoulder work fine now close for the Eve
       Friday aft rainey [sic] have been intending to send you some flour this spring, but have not had any money to spare and am verry cautious how I contract debts but if I thought your circumstances such as to justify it I would send some this spring   have notes & property which I shall dispose of as soon as I can amounting to about $400 after keeping what my future business may require but it makes but little difference now what a man haves [sic] here if it is not money for it not often that any article will bring money unless at a ruinous sacrifice   wheat brings 50 but mostly on credit flour at retail $150 Hand raising wool would be an excelent [sic] business in this region Milnor Taylor from Charlemont has learnt [sic] me how to engraft Trees   the common price paid for grafting is 4 cts a scion to warrant & 50 cts for engrafted trees   if I stay here think I will have a small nursery and will try to do something in the grafting line shall try a few teasles [?] this year   the raising them ready for cutting in this country would be but a trifle compared to what it is with you have commenced giving my studies some attention so if I choose to can teach school next winter though I can now pass the examination the law requires (reading spelling & writing) but those that can teach the higher branches get higher wages   the turn of the times am told has made Doct Ballard $10000 poorer Charles $2000   it is said Doct Hawks⁶ is rather under the weather   was told other day that he is oweing [sic] $2800 in the vicinity   he is in deeply for real estate in Michigan   in short most of trading men are pretty badly used up   Mrs. Coral[?] that used to be Mrs. Atkins is in poor health
       Doct Fitch had a lease of Foresmans farm which was called to him $5000 towards his wifes [sic] portion but old man told us he had taken back the land   Fitch told me he had $700 worth furnature [sic] but Taylor says the old woman owns it all the farm north of Town he had no deed of   I suppose they intend to keep the property so that if the child should not live that it will not fall to the Fitch Family but I think his debts will be paid perhaps this may be of interest to Lewis   have not heard from Sm^l for long time he must be reminded of apologies   Hard cider & Log Cabin is much in vogue here now   have not worked up all my broom corn have calculated to raise some more this year but think will not   now stoped [sic] raining must leave off
       Sunday the 10   have so much of a religious nature to write that know not how to begin for want of room it is anything but a pleasure to me to have Brothers all so silent on spiritual things what can be the reason   does it give offence the frankness with which I have expressed my feelings on the subject or can it be that this is not an interesting subject enough to deserve notice in a letter or what is it all. who have you preaching at W   from what I have heard you have had troublous times about ministerial affairs nor was it at to be wondered at [sic] considering the state of things as they existed when I left   for when we attack a man with violent arguments on account of his opinions we may expect a different feeling from him than if we had treated him with respect and his opinions with candor   it seems as much of human nature must have been learnt and also what be the result when christian people walk uncharitably toward each other many would not do thus & so because it would favor some persons which they did not like. but may we continually learn from the past and confess frankly wherein we have erred so as to be wiser in future   the bible class I spoke of is to commence next meet at 4 oclock in aft [sic]   cant tell how it will go but hope it may be sustained am engaged also in Sabbath School which is in low state hope to bring about some improvement after awhile   two oclock prayer meeting must leave for now   Evening   wish you would send by mail one of those small pamphlets which contain the articles of faith of the church   I lent one to Sheldon Warner he told me it was at his mothers   it would be of use to me in case under existing circumstances you think it best for I will send soon 3 or 4 lbs Flour this spring   have 6 hogs intend to fatten perhaps in fall if you need send some pork   forgot to mention that I sent the dress pattern mother sent to Jerusha    She did not make it up
 
[at top of last page]
       Perhaps you had not better say anything about Ballards & Hawks's concerns as they would not like to have their Friends know it
                   E Bodman
 
[on side of last page]
       I notice that I stated had smart pair of horses behind plow but think do better before it in this region if Father H does not take the things I left drop me line & will give you direction   I told you that as it is quite a job for you to write as often as if it was not so much task but write as often as you can [?] Lewis for any of you will  you may hear again   would like to hear from them but write as often as [?]

General note:   For the most part, transcripts retain the author's original spelling, abbreviations, underlining, capitalization, and punctuation (or lack thereof).   Transcriber's comments, changes or additions are in brackets.
 
1. Williamsburg, Massachusetts, the hometown of Elam and Jerusha
2. Jerusha (Hitchcock) Bodman's father
3. Sylvia (Longley) Bodman, first wife of Elam's brother Lewis
4. (Clarissa) Angeline Bodman, Elam's youngest sister
5. Northampton, Massachusetts, the area Elam left seeking a "prosperous future" in the west
6. William B. Hawks, Elam's cousin, who had also moved to Ohio from western Massachusetts