Note: This is taken from a xerox of the original. The right hand margin was cut off when it was copied, as well as part of the top edge of the paper.

Ottowa, LaSalle Co, Illinois

July 4^th, 18__

Your kind letter dated Ju____ was rec’d by me on Wednesday the 4^th (?) aand I will try and write a few lines reply to day, although it is a very ha__ task for me to write a letter now, __ sight is impaired, so that I cannot ___ the lines – and it causes my head and neck to ache to sit and try to write;

We have had a visit from three of (our) sons, Asa D Stewart, Harmon B Stewart and Joseph W Stewart; they all came the last days of June, and one ____ yesterday morning (Sunday the 1^st July) the names that I have named, ______ and myself all sat down at the breakfasttable together, and in the afternoon to dinner table together, probably for the (last) time in this world; their stay with (us) was short, but the time was spent pleasantly with us all; Asa and Harman (and) their families are well, and your Aunt L_____ is improving in health, and may many years of comfort yet; you inquire about the family of your Uncle Asa, he has 3 sons and 2 daughters; Delos, his oldest son was born on the 27^th of April 1835, consequently was 42 years old last April; has been married, but lives at his father’s and works in his shop; Wm Harmon his 2^nd son was born on the 22d of April 1837, was 40 years of age last April. He is married has a wife and 2 sons; lives in Troy, NY and is a hand in the Printing Office of his brother-in-law, Jerome B Parmenter;

Melvin Warren, his 3d son was born on the 17^th of April 1839, has a wife and three(?) children, lives in Bennington, works in and carries on his father’s shop; Emma Almira was born on the 10^th of July 1841, tomorrow July 10^th will be her 36^th birth-day, she lives at her father’s – married Mr Jerome B Parmenter, has one child living, has buried three. Mr Parmenter is Editor and Proprietor of the Troy Daily and Weekly Press; Mary Alice (she is always called Allie)the 2d and youngest daughter, was born in July 1856 (I think) will be 21 years of age some day this month, I do not recollect the day; is unmarried, lives with her father and mother; Asa brought me her pictures last week when he came; your Uncle Asa built himself a very nice house last year – you ask if he lives in the City of Bennington – there is no City in Bennington. There are three principal places in the Twon, Bennington the principal place where Asa lives; North Benningtonwhen I spent my early days; and Bennington Center; I have described it to you as well as I can.

You say Vermont is a beautiful place, and ask me if I was ever there? My Dear Child, Vermont is my Native State, and my birth place but a few miles from where you live; I was born in Wilmington, Windham Co in the State of Vermont, on the 24^th (?) day of November 1790; and there are people now living in Wilmington who can point out the "Old Doty Place".

To day is Alice Marble Adams’ 36^th Birth Day – she was born on the 9^th and Emma A Parmenter on the 10^th of July 1841.

I am interested in the content of your letter, cannot particular ____ now; my friends in Wisconsin are all doing well – Sylvester and Fanny and little Carrie May – Harmie his wife Katie, and his little boy George – Emma her husband and her three children, two girls one boy. It is nearly six months since my last ___ from Mary W Mitchell, they were ___ all doing well, Mary has six fine children.

Mary I think you have done well to stay so long in Brattleboro, and stickto your Trade; in these dreadful pinching times, one is well off to have a good Trade; those many hundreds aye, and thousands of willing hands in our country that can get nothing to do; I can tell you , that my son William has never seen such hard times as these; and if times are so hard now, what will become of us before another spring; I tremble when I think of it;

Healthy, robut looking men, call every day begging for something to eat; little girls come in and beg for cold victuals to keep them from starving; the grasshoppers in the western – and the potato bugs in the eastern states; and after all these troubles, there are hundreds of men who if they can get a few dimes, will spend it for beer or whisky.

Fare you well Mary, may Heaven bless, and protect you from harm; I think of you – accept my love –

As Ever Your Grandma – Mary A. Marble

P.S. Over look the imperfection of this letter – consider my age and infirmity. Your Uncle William and Aunt Ellen __ usually __ but both __ discouraged __ with hard times. My health is about ___ it has been ___ since last spring; 9__ much to be thankful ___. I am yet a ___ to wit up__ myself – For which __ ability I ___ my Heaven _______