Stampless Autograph Letter Signed, Williamstown, Pennsylvania to Bound Brook, New Jersey--Teaching and Cholera 1849

Williamstown, Pennsylvania, 1849. Stampless Autograph Letter Signed, Williamstown, Pennsylvania to Bound Brook, New Jersey--Teaching and Cholera 1849. 4pp. 7.5 x 9.75 inches

Bifolium sheet folded into stampless envelope. Very legible. Very Good Condition.

Manuscript letter dated August 10, 1849, from a M.A. Van Arsdale to Catherine Talmage of Bound Brook New Jersey. Letter opens on issues of health and religion but then the author talks about her wish to "rest awhile" in her teaching duties from the "disobedient, troublesome boys." Here is the full passage on Van Arsdale's teaching duties, "My present quarter will end the last of September. I am going then to give up this school to a young man, as I cannot keep it through the winter. Mr. Ford wishes me to teach three months longer (six miles from here) before I go to Somerville. If I am spared, cannot decide yet what I will do. Hope the path of duty will be made plain, when the time arrives, to make the change. I am becoming quite anxious to rest awhile. I am sometimes troubled that I consider it too much a task to have the charge of and instruct children. I have oftentimes esteemed it a privilege and enjoyed it. Have for the few past months been tried with disobedient, troublesome boys." Some things never change.

The letter goes on to speak of prayer meetings, the sewing society, and the scare of Cholera Morbus. "Sister, Mrs. Ford, has been sick this week with Cholera Morbus. We were quite alarmed when she was first taken. It, however, did not continue long. She is recovering. Is very weak. We have been very much favored as individuals, families, and neighborhood. The distressing disease prevalent throughout our county has not yet appeared among us. There has been very little sickness in our place. "

A complete transcript of the 770-word letter is provided.