Letter from Hannah Spence to Sarah Belle Phillips, June 15, 1862

June 15th / 62

Dear Bell

After so long a time I attempt to answer your letter or letters & as I can find no excuse I will offer none only that I would have written right away if I had not been looking for your father down.  We were all very much disappointed when we found he wasn’t coming.  I am going to school this summer; as usual I did not want to go this summer but father wanted me to go.  I only have five more weeks to go.  I believe the friends are all well as far as I know.  Sarah Ann was over a week ago today for the first time this summer.  She has as much work in the shop as she can do.  There has been a girl here from Cincinnati for five weeks: she just went home last week.  It is one of Mr. Springs girls: her Mother is a distant relation of your father’s I believe: four or five of the children come up every summer.  I expect some more of them will up before long: they are very nice girls I have never been to their house but once.  I intended to go home with Anna but I had to go to school.  I would like to see all of the children very much especially the ones that I never did see.  I was very busy hunting up presents to send to them when your father came down but it was all to no purpose.  I made a dress for your doll which I cut by a pattern I had when I had the doll.  We got a letter from John last week: they are now in Alabama encamped near Huntsville.  He is well and hearty weighs 155 or 160 lbs which is a great deal heavier than he ever weighed before.  That regiment has escaped very well so far for it hasn’t been in any hard battles yet nor had any very hard marching to do & if the war is as near over as some think it is I hope they won’t.  Also got a letter from Bell Cadwallader she talks of coming in on a visit this fall if they don’t move next spring: they talk some of moving if they can sell: she is very tired of Iowa.  She says she don’t care where she is just so she is in Ohio.  We are milking five cows this summer and selling butter at 7cts per lb. we have made some cheese and are going to make some more as it pays better to make that than butter.  Mary we tried your way of making coffee:  they liked it very well: but as I don’t use it at all it don’t make any difference to me whether it is good or not.  Father got us a new saddle this spring and we have the nicest little horse to ride you ever saw.  We paid $15.00 for one saddle and bridle: it is black leather with a red and black seat.  Tell Alonzo that Franky Hall often asks about him and wishes he was here to play with him.  Father says that I may go up there next winter & teach school if they will have me.  Well it is getting late & I will have to stop writing.  Pardon my long delay & some one or all of you write as soon as you get this.

H. Marie Spence

Mother sends her love to you all & so do I.  We would all be glad if you all could make us a visit.  Kiss the children for me and remember Aunt “Hannah” to them.