New Rowley, Essex County Mass.
Dear Brother
perhaps you will think strange
that I should call your attention to the perusal of another page
so soon from me. I remarked in my last that I should
write again if I had any thing of interest to communicate. & so I
have finished my visit with my friends in Conn" for the present at least.
I thought it might not be amiss to inform you about matters and things
July 8th I visited our relatives in west street uncle Thadeus Thompson
family & all the friends who appeared glad to see me. I spent the night with
Uncle Titus Woodruff. I found them all well. Sunday 9th I visited Uncle
Ozem Woodruff & was truly rejoiced to once more take him by the hand
I preached at early candele light at the Lovly Street School house by
Uncle Ozem's to a full congregation of relatives, neighbours, & old acquaint-
ance they gave good attention & treated me with the best of friendship[s] I
spent the night with Uncle Alson Thompson. 10th I visited Collins
ville & found the place had altered much since I lift [left] it, it was dull times
with them no business going on excepting pulling down their shops
& building greater they were making about $100,000 dollars of
repairs. I spent the day in visiting the place Uncle Ozem was at work on
the stone dam across the river cousin Samuel Barber was treading &
doing well. I preached in the city hall at 5 oclock PM. to the inhabitants of
Collinsville as I commenced speaking the drums commenced beating
at the door's which continued for half an hour, their was some tumult
in the house, however I preached them the word. Some few gave good
attention such as Samuel Barber, Uncle Ozem, & (Jerry Humiston) ^xx^
who were present. I again preached on the 11th in the Lovly Street
School house upon the Authenticity of the Book of mormon their
prejudice was broaken down they gave good attention & found no fault
quite a number were quite believeing & three offered themselves
for Babtism I suppose I must tell you who they were viz
Ozem Woodruff. Hannah Woodruff & John Woodruff their Son
I repaired to the water & baptized them with great joy & consolation
to my soul (thus ends that dream or vision which I had in Avon
when about ten years of age). On the 12th I went to Simsbury to
visit Aunt Cossetts family I had a very plesant visit with them
I found them all enjoying good health, Aunt Bulah not accepted.
I was made wellcome not withstanding my principles which may
appear to be dreadfull in the eyes of many of my friends
untill they have a true understanding of the matter but as soon
as they have this privilege the direfull veil is rent from their eyes
& they no longer consider Willford such a fated, desperate, &
dreadful monster or sunk in the lowest depths of vice darkness, error
degradation & infamy. I would to God that every relative I have
were such as I am this day as touching spiritural things. Aunt Cossetts
household receieved my teachings & the word & spirit bare record to the
truth I had but a short time with them I spent one night & took the
parting ^hand^ with them next day. 14th I again visited our Fathers hous in
Farmington whare I had a happy privle interview not ownly with our
parents but also Sister Eunice who had come home to visit me & my
wife while at our fathers house. I ownly had time to take supper with
them & then returned to Avon & spent the night at Uncle Thadeus
Thompson's. 15thI preached again at the School house by Uncle Ozems
16th Sunday I preached at Uncle's Adna Harts to a congregation
composed of my relatives & former Neighbour ma^n^y from Cider Brook
this was the last meeting I held in Avon. my stay among my friends
was of necessity much shortedr than I could have wished. after the meeting
closed I took the parting hand for the last time with many of our relatives
Uncle Ozem. Cousin John. & Horatio. & many others I might name among them. I
employed Solomon Willcox to convey my friends to farmington those that
had come out to attend the meeting such as Mother, Sister Eunice, & Phebe
my wife this was the first meeting they had attended of mine & after I arived
at my fathers house. I concluded to spend the rest part of the time in visiting
the old folks, & a happy visit it was to considering the shortness of it being
three days ownly. I took several walks with Eunice & Phebe they seem
to enjoy themselves well together we walked upon the canall & looked about the
river whare we [hole burned in paper] u[se]d to fish when we were boys. it looked verry natural. I hear
many enquiries about Asahel wherever he is known. On the 17th Miss
Mary Ann Hills called to pay us a visit. she spent the afternoon & took tea with us
she made enquiries about Asahel & seemed to be anxious to learn of his wellfare.
18th I wrote an Acrostic for Eunice in her Abbum to remember me by. she is
reserving a page for you to write when you come home. I am now holding a pen
knife in my left hand that you found on the river bank & sold to me about fifteen
years ago I keep it to remember you by & for the good it has done {shorthand} l l Europe
{shorthand} you {shorthand}
NB 19th I gave out an appointment for preaching in the Methodist meeting house
on the public square in Farmington at early candle light the
people had but about two hour's notice & their was a thunder storm during
the time so that the congregation was not as large as it probable otherwise
would have been, besides the Prysbeterians had a prayer meeting at the same
time. but notwithstanding these things two hundred or rising of the citizens of
farmington came out to hear me. Father, Mother, Eunice. Phebe, Mary Ann
Hills, cousin Achzia were present. Also Camp♢ Deming. & many of the
Cowls'es (God not accepted) help make up the number. I gave them
our principles upon the gospel from Galatians 1st ch 8: 9:verses. I was happily
disappointed oin the manner they treated the subject they gave the best of attention
& herd me patiently while I addressed them about twoo two hours & not
an objection was raised. Doct Carrington arose & manifested much
satisfaction at the privilege of hearing the subject investigated & represented
that they were in conformity with the word of God & his own feeling & most
strongly urged another meeting. Samuel Deming & others requested another
meeting. I Camp appeared satisfyed with the principles held forth. [page torn]
was rather more than I looked for in the superstitious town of Farming[ton] [page torn]
There is a lying spirit abroad in the earth & it has had its influence in
prejudecing the minds of the community at large against us as a people
& every fals report & epithet is heap'd upon our heads that ingenuity can
invent, but prejudice is beginning to flee before light & truth, & while the
signs in the heavens & earth indicate facts of great interest to this generation the
inhabitants of the earth will soon learn their is a God reigning in Israel
20th I took the parting hand with my father. & Mother & Sister & took the stage
in company with my wife to go our way. My wife sends her respects to you. Fathers &
mother's health is good. for them. Sister Eunice is truly a fine girl, she is an accomplished
Lady I am much pleased with her appearance in company, she is not behind her sex
I think. I shall be in Maine in a few days my hea[l]th is good. I shall soon visit fox
island. I should like to read a Letter from you. Should you write to me within three
or four months direct to Scarborough. Main. Business dull in this
county, factories stoped, money scarce much grumbling cold summer rye bettr
than expected. I wish you well watch the signs of the times Adieu
W Woodruff
{shorthand}
Mr Asahel H Woodruff
Terre Haute
Indiana
[stamp in red ink]
NEW ROWLEY.
MS.
July
26
^25^
Wilford.
July 25th 1837