With apologies, it has been 10 days since I have posted a letter of this series but it has been with good reason. The following letter had never been transcribed before because it was very faded, written on blue paper. Even with our bright mid-day light and a magnifying reader, along with strong half-eyes, it has been a difficult assignment, giving me a whole new deep and humble appreciation for those volunteers among us who transcribe the census sheets from early days. I may have at least ten hours or more in the following letter. This letter was written to Harriet (Dewey) Penney in Waupaca Wisconsin from her mother, Harriet (McKee) Dewey in Adams, Jefferson County NY. In it she is "being a mother", scolding and hopefully encouraging her daughter out there on the frontier with three children in the house, two more (twins) on the way and a house full of men, including the Father Dewey, who are hacking a new community out of the wilderness. The daughter is in a funk and it is no wonder considering her circumstances. Mother Harriet was apparently unschooled for her spelling is terrible as well as her grammar making the faded portions of the letter even more difficult to read. Like many of these letters, there is no capitalization or punctuation except at random and unexplained places - all the thoughts run together in a continuous string. I have converted her spelling to the correct words where necessary and left in the others where it is understandable for the flavor of the letter. Sadly, this may be the last letter she writes to her daughter, at least it is the last letter known to have been written by her for she dies a tragic death described in a future letter. Adams, Feb. 23rd, 1956 Much Loved Children, Asher and Harriet I take my opportunity to write a few line to you as I received your lines a few days ago. My health is very good at present although I suffer a great deal with the cold. It seems to me that I never experienced so cold a winter in my life. You wanted me to write all of the news I know commence. Well the girls are ahere with me now. Emily is agoing to school this winter. Lauriette is agoing to (Elita or Elvita?) Gleasons to work soon. It has been a long and lonesome winter to us. I was sorry to hear that you was discontented for I expected to take a great deal of comfort with you and the rest for my children and my husband. I think that you had better be contented there for I expect that we even (will) have a home there sometime or other. I think that I should contented most anywhere that I could have a home that I could call my own. The snow is about 3 feet deep. We have had some good [she wrote 'slaying' but I think she meant sleighing - ed.] but it is very best now. We can’t see the fence post at the way. There has been three or 4 days that we have not been out doors this winter Harrys folks here all are well now. They have been having a good time this winter. George has done our chores - cut our wood. I should like to see you and the children (as) usual. Shake the gizzard out of them (for me). You should see me and the girls by looking at our miniatures but we can’t look at you. I have two miniatures too and they are of and Mo - a - i and Lauriette. We have not heard from Ashers folks since before Christmas. They wrote that they was a coming out with Charles and Ebber (Ashers brothers) and wanted me to be aready to go home with them but we have not seent anything of them. Asher, one of Hiram Washburns colts died the other day with the information on the lungs. [that’s what she wrote - ed] Tell Clint that Mrs. Walton was buried a week a week ago today. I suppose that you are discouraged because Father and Clint has been there so much but I hope that you will take _at them until I get where (they) are or they. I am so wish I could see them, too, Davy. The girls have got a___ built. They are having a great time about Leap Year. Emily talks up Whinsy the school master aside she takes when ....Diantha that --tte said Osamus Greenly up to Chesters last fall thought she was a nice girl but I guess Lauriette will (last?) this out She is agoing to take him out (ar??) when the spells (they?) broke out if Clint and Teri and Lakin (...t?) (r?) the girl would be after them the is (a????) (inh??s?) left be the name of Smith I think Lauriette (?) (?) in their you still thought your Father (?) from one house to the other but I can’t do that so have not been out anywhere this winter as has my part I am up to almost everything (?) now days. You wrote that Asher wishes he was here to _ visit. I wish he was although George has built the most of the winter. We have not heard or seen any thing from your father Pennys folks but once since you went out there. Lauriette saw Delia and Mer-ice(?) down to the celebration to the village last summer. They was all well, the neighbors are all well here. Ugina(?) is fat as ever. Fast comes here often and smith and some time Len but enough at this, I must draw this letter to a close. Excuse all mistakes and bad righting now Asher and Harriet. Write as soon as you get this. Give my love to Father and all the rest. So Good bye for this time from your good old Mother to her Children Harriet and Asher in haste, bye (written by Harriet (Mckee) Dewey to her daughter, Harriet and son-in-law Asher Penney) [This letter is in very poor shape and resisted transcribing - ed] [with my apologies]