Craig, James Pitt Letters (1861-1864)

              [page 1]
October 25th 1858

Dear Issabella

I was very sorry 
to hear that You Mr Craig the 
little ones had been so much out of 
health but the last account was 
so much improved that I hope 
by this time you are all restored 
to the enjoyment of that blessing  
I have been intending to write to 
to you soon ever since you were here 
but put it off first till one thing 
then another had happened that 
I thought would interest you to 
hear about but now I will delay 
no longer for I find our young 
folks that is Will & Mary have 
determined that it will be expedient 
for me to  go up with the latter when 
she pays you her visit this fall & if 
all are well here I should like much 
to spend a week with you all if it is 
perfectly agreeable & convenient to

[page 2]
you but if for any reason it is oth-
erwise at present pray do not scru-
ple to say so you need not fear that 
I shall attribute it to any want of 
friendly feeling.  I suppose you have 
heard of the loss we have sustained 
in Cousin Martha’s departure her 
determination to go took us quite 
by surprise but it was evident 
that a change was desirable for 
the benefit of her health & it seems 
her property cheifly in railway shares 
has fallen so much in val-
ue during the last year that she 
thought it would be advisable to try 
& turn her various accomplishments 
to account in the way of helping out 
her income after first taking a little 
rest & recreation by the seaside.  She 
fully intends returning at least 
for a visit next summer her last 
letter was from Old Point Comfort 
in Virginia where she was enjoying

[page 3]
herself highly bathing inhaling 
the sea breezes & feasting on Oysters 
crabs &c &c &c.  No doubt you have heard 
of the weddings which have recently ta-
ken place amongst the inhabitants 
of Chester.  Mrs Holbrook has the two 
latest brides boarding with her.  Mrs 
Clemens & Mrs Pollock & in the course 
of this week she expects Miss Stafford 
& I believe a young sister.  You will see 
by the paper that Miss S is to open a se-
lect school for young ladies.  Mrs H 
& Sarah have been exerting themselves 
very much to procure first a teacher 
then a school & last & most difficult 
of all a place to keep it in if their daugh-
ters will make a like exertion to improve 
by the opportunity thus obtained the 
mothers will feel well repaid.  Mary 
who is now in better health than she 
has been through the summer goes 
over every morning from half past 
nine to twelve to teach the young Mor-

[page 4]
risons & little Jack as there is no school 
at present thought suitable for them 
it is hoped sometime or other there 
will be one in the new house.  Our cir-
cle are all in good health at present 
except little Nellie who is supposed to 
be suffering from her eye teeth  Dr Childs 
attends her we heard from him yester-
day that little Willie Holmes is much 
troubled with boils.  I have not seen 
any of them lately but mean to call 
this afternoon.  Mrs William is staying 
with us at present in pretty good health.  
Mr [Connis?] is at the farm they were all 
well there by the last accounts.  
Dont trouble yourself to answer 
this letter but let me know by Will 
if it gets safe to its destination  
John is ready for it now I believe 
so I must say goodby.

Believe me your attached friend

H Swanwick

Please give my dear love 
to Will & best respect to Mr C.
& kiss the little ones for Aunt Hannah