No signature on letter, but frm names and data, appears to have been written by Susan. California Moniteau Co Mo Dec 26 1875 (this appears to be correct date) Mrs Rachel Payne Dear Niece I will now try to answer your very kind letter, which came to hand some weeks since. I hope these lines will find you in good health, together with the rest of your Family & Friends, myself and Willie (Susan's son William E. ) are well as usual, you must excuse me for not answering you sooner as I was in the country when your letter came to hand, and have not had time to write till now, I have been so busy sewing from home most all the time I only get a dollar and half a week ought to have three. Today is Sunday and I did not go to church and it seems like a long day to me Willie comes in and eats and out again so you might say I was alone almost. however, I am used to being so, well yeterday was Christmas and seemed to be a quiet one, the Methodist and Christian Churces had their usual feast, Friday night for the Children, Willie went I did not, they had a splendid time I suppose, well, Rachel Mary and Sam live in Pettis Co They wrote to me for me or Amanda one to come two or three weeks ago to do their winter sewing, so I thought it suited best for Amanda to gone and she went she came back since and staid a day or two and is not gone to her Mothers and is going frm there to see Lewis I don't know when she will be home again she left Sams folks all well thinks Mary has the smartest baby she has ever saw. I have not had a letter frm Sue since I wrote to you before have been expect- ing one for some time. Tom Griner's wife died two or three weeks since I don't know what ailed her she left two Children, I have not heard frm your Uncles Overtons for more than a month I thought some of the Family would have been down las week but they did not come I would have gone to see your Aunt Caroline yesterday, but when I come to settle my Taxes I had only ten cts left so I had to stay at home. I have never been to see her since they moved to the Country. I have seen her twice since Pap's Death which was year the twelvth of the present month (now there is something wrong here with these dates, if references death of Samuel D..ck'g *B) its like you say the connexion is so scattered hardly any two are together. Your Uncle Leander hardly ever comes to see me and his WIFE don't come at all she is so afraid they will have to take care of me I hope she may take care of those nearer home to her, tell William I hope when he marries he will not get a Woman that is a fraid to see any of his connexion, for fear, they will want something for I like to see kinfolks friendly enough to visit one ano- ther when they live near enough. Tell cousin Lizzy-if I was as near to her as you are, I would hunt her up and visit her. I would like to have a line from her occasionally any how I not had a letter frm Matt since she went to New York but hear frm her once in a great while. Well I see my sheet will be filled soon and I have not written much news yet I wanted to hear frm your Uncle Overtons before I sent this letter to you he talked of send- ing Willie Large back to Bill when I was there I don't know whether he had or not for the last year and a half he has not wrote a word nor sent a dime to him since he has been there, he is not a man but a dog I think a---way with such a man. Monday morning I went to church last night, it was quite cold as the wind blew frm the North, we have had pleasant weather most of the time this winter, well Rachel I hope you had a merry Christmas and wish you a happy new year, I thank you for the stamp and quarter also they came in good time you must write again soon. (following is added on the top of the second page upside down to the rest of the letter) I forgot to tell you when you finish painting and dry your pictures you should Varnich all the colored parts on the same side the paint is put on, if there is anything you don't understand let me know. *When get time, sure would like to identify all of the people mentioned, sounds like normal family, with family problems :-) Hope to put copies of the orig letters on the Reavis/Revis research site eventually, and try and verify dates, etc.; this is great of Millie to share these, I find them absolutely fascinating. Merry Christmas! *Barb