Grimsby, Feb. 19


	Dear Sister and Brother,
The most of us are as well as usual.  Sarah is ironing and very busy.  Alby doing splendid.  He has grained 
from 117 to 137 pounds so he is doing splendid.  Sarah has her aches and pains but oh you know how that 
goes so don’t laugh.  How is little Harry?  Oh how I would like to have him here now.  I bet he can walk 
and run all over the house.  I hope Erastus has got all over his cold.  How is the poneys?  I suppose they are 
fat and nice.  I hope so.

Well Eliza, I haven’t said anything about myself but I am here in the far this last two weeks I have over 
home the mark this last two years.  The doctor says I have not been real strong since my lungs was weak 
before, but I think I was.  He says that if I can only get a little stronger and he can keep me up through this 
months and next, that I will be better in the spring.  But if I get down on my back now, he would give more 
for Alby than he would for me.  He is trying to scare me but I bet he wasn’t for I am tougher than he thinks 
I am.

I am very weak and cough some but I guess it isn’t nothing much.  Father smart as a hen.  He splits wood 
and cleans stables.  Fine chore boy.  Lately, there has been several deaths around here.  Joseph Godan?, 
Joseph Surch?, old Zekal Smith.  All old men besides several others you wouldn’t know.  I will have to 
wait now, I am so tired.  Well Eliza, I have started again.  Sarah says tell you we are both sick and both 
cross.  We quarreled  who had to write this letter.  She was busy, so it fell on me but bet she will write the 
next one.  

Uncle Bob Book had a social last Thursday nite.  It was only 15cts each but they made $23.  That was perty 
good.  We have had lots of rain down here, our sleighing all gone.  How with you?  

I have one hundred cords of wood to get out but only thirty five to the foundry, as yet.  I got that out before 
I got sick.  Tell Erastus come down now.  I think he would be a most capital teamster.  Don’t you?  Now 
write soon, Eliza.  Don’t think it half so hard for you as it for Sarah and I.  Excuse crotchen and mistakes, 
my hand trembles.

So good time, kiss Harry for me
from Sarah and Archey



Notes:

This letter was written by Archie Beamer and wife Sarah Nash/Beamer to his sister Eliza and her husband 
Erastus Thomas.  I think it was written after 1885 as that is the year Harry Thomas was born.

Others mentioned were:
Alby- Archie Beamer’s brother
Archie’s father- John Beamer
Joseph Godan?
Joseph Surch?
Zekial Smith
Bob Book- Robert Omri Book, Archie’s uncle through his father, John’s sister Amanda Catherine 
Beamer’s husband. Bob Book is also Archie’s second cousin.
Harry- Eliza and Erastus Thomas’ son