I also have a scanner copy of a letter. I have tried to make it readable, but as of now cannot. Sarah Beattie L 107 Excerpt from letter to Mary Frances [Beattie Sherwood of Ballston, Saratoga Co., NY] presumably from Sarah Belknap Beattie [of Orange Co., NY]: Nov. 28th 1859 My dear daughter Mary Frances . . . there are very few people suffer,d to walk on this earth as long as I have done. I was 76 years old last satturday, 26th of Nov. . . . . . . and believe me ever your affeate Mothr [Transcribed by David B. Harper, 1504 Delphi Rd., Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY, 7 May 2003 Excerpts from letter to Mary [Frances Beattie Sherwood, of Ballston, Saratoga Co., NY] from “Mother” [Sarah Belknap Beattie, of Orange Co., NY]: May 11th 1860 My dear Daughter Mary . . . Charles is teaching in the accadimie in Newburgh Hezekiah is teaching Sarah and Sarah is teaching Mary Fanny Annie and Abby Sarah Mary Fanny has a music teacher once a week . . . [referring to (Robert) Hezekiah Beattie (Mary Frances’ brother) and his children] [Transcribed by David B. Harper, 1504 Delphi Road, Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY, 8 May 2003] Letter to Mary Frances [Beattie Sherwood of Ballston, Saratoga Co., NY] presumably from Sarah Belknap Beattie [of Orange Co., NY]: May 20th 1859 My dear daugter mary Frances I have not heard a word from you since Thommas was here, never new whither he ever got home or not, I rested on the old addage, no news is good news. and so I rested contented thinking if he had not got home we would certainly have heard from you, but I hope this will find you all in good health and spirits. I suppose you have heard of Fathers sicknefs, but he is now better but I do not think it would be prudent for him or me to go ought from home any distances at present, from home I have never been further than williams, since last summer, I feel anxious to go to midletown to see Asher and Aggy and Tommy in their new place, but Father is not able to go now, and it is very doubtful whither we shall ever get there again. I think the most prudent exercise for us at present is medditation on the Eternal world, where we are fast hasning Father is now in his Eightieth year since Fbuary, and I am in my seventy six since Nov. [?] we have attained to a good old age, and I may say few[?] and evil have the days of the of the years of my life been, but I blefs God he has made me willing in the day of his power to except the gospel offer, as he it offered in the gospel freely, without money, and without price. Hezekiah and Mariann went up to Uncle James yesterday the[y] met John and Matilda there John Bowden has built a tennant house over the Brook and Matilda has no charge but herself and husband and keeps a girl I had a letter from abba a day or two ago she had been attending the anniversary had great sattisfaction they were all well we had a line from David he has gone to the general Asembly Isabella has another daughter about a month old I cannot tell any thing about William s folks he was attending on your Father he was to be here on tuesday but he did not come I suppose he has had call another way and he had left medicine for your Father. Uncle John Beattie, Uncle James aunt Charlotte and Aunt Fanny were all here last week the first visit Uncle James has made us. Mrs Hill is dead she died about two month ago she had the palsie two or three years it is nothing strange to hear of people diing younger than my self but not so often do I hear of people older than myself dying. I would like very much to see you all here but I know from the way you are sittuated that you cant come without difficulty I leave it with you and Thommas to arange your own plans of operation Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see my children write and tell me all about the children tel me how many questions they have learned [in margin] give my love to Father Mother Thommas and the Children and believe me ever your affectionate Mother [in margin] tell sarah Belknap I want her to learn that pasage of Scripture. suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven. [Transcribed by David B. Harper, 1504 Delphi Rd., Cazenovia, Madison Co.,NY, 7 May 2003] Excerpt from letter presumably to Thomas Burr Sherwood and Mary Frances Beattie Sherwood [of Ballston, Saratoga Co., NY] from William Robert Clark Beattie [St. Andrews(?), Orange Co., NY]: March 11/62 My Dear Son and Daughter, yours Came Duly to hand to Day it was as Water to a thirsly Soul I had looked for a letter from you for Some time and was about to Write again, So I thought I would answer yours as you, have not had the Bby Baptzed, yet, I do not wish to Change your owne minds on this Matter if I thought he would make a better Man than I have been in Speaking with Mr Sherwood, he Said to me, that he thought his name would go out of his family I hope he is a verry good Man I Dare not think otherwise his exampl has done muh good and he may have given much for benvolent Purposes. . . [discussion presumably about naming Thomas and Mary Frances’ son born 3 Nov.1861, who was named William Beattie (after grandfather)] . . . a much longer time than I expected Seeing my life has ben So unprofitabl I am 82 years of age last February 27th my Days have Few[?] but dare not say they have been full of evil for with me my Hevenly Father has Neve Delt with me as I have sinned . . . W C Battie [Transcribed by David B. Harper, 1504 Delphi Rd., Cazenovia, Madison Co.,NY, 14 May 2003]