My Dear Willford
Think me not negligent in answering your letter when I tell you
you that it about 3 weeks since I received your last communication which I was truly glad
to get and perused it with much satisfaction— the most of my time since your letter came to hand
has been devoted to the care of my babe for the destroyer has tried hard to get him from me but I feell
as though I had the best right to him and I claimed him at the hand of God and he was pleased to
spare him unto me which I consider to be another token that he has not forgotten me— may
I ever be thankful for his mercies to me— he was taken with the hooping cough and then the croup
(which is prestness for breath) set in which brought him to the gates of death – O! thought I how
can I give up my babe even in in the absence of his father who had never seen him I felt as thou
gh I could not endure it so I and one of the sisters that lives near me took hold on faith with
all the powers of mind that we could muster and the Lord heard and answered us— she s^t^aid with
me and was a greate comfort to me— you do not know her she has lately moved into the neigh-
bourhood— so he is as well as can be expected with the hooping cough— he had the croup which is generally
mortal with children— Sarah Emma has been verry well this winter but some unwell of late but
is getting better— My health would be quite good if I did not have to be broken of my rest with my babe
so much as at the present but hope that he will soon be better of his cough
[Lydia Luce’s handwriting]
Dear Brother, Through the blessing of kind heaven I am permited the privilege of siting
at Sister Phebe's table to write a few lines to you to let you know that we have
not forgotten you, my family is in good health and spirits and we hope soon to be
^setled^ in this vicinity, where we may have the privileg of visiting your family occaseon[l]y
we often think of you and would be glad to have a personal interview with
you, but we know that the Kings business must be attend to, we pray therefore
[page damaged] [the] Lord of the harvest to prepare you for the work that lays before you
[page damaged] [h]asten your mission, that you may soon accomplist the work whereunto
[page damaged]nt and return in peace and safety to the bosom of your family
[page damaged]e accept these few lines as a token of friendship from your friend and sister in the
new and everlasting covnant Lydia M Luce
[Phebe's handwriting]
As my babe commenced crying and sister Luce sat by me I invited her to improve the time in writing
to you as she had expressed a desire previously to do so while I attended to him— they have just moved from
Rochester and are liveing in the house with me untill they can locate themselves somewhere else— Brother
Stephen Luce left the Island the 8th of last Oct. and arrived in Rochester 15th Jan. and Sarah Luce with
him she is married to a man out of the church— Brother Smith, Outerkerk, and the two brother Luce’s are
in Commerce and Montrose. The 6th of April there was a conference held in Commerce which continued
nearly a week there was upwards of 70 baptized and ordained Elders and the church made their appe-
al to heaven for redress of their wrongs and much business was transacted during the meeting. Brothers Page
and Hyde started a few days after it closed on a mission to the Jews, they go first to the Jews in N. Y. and
then procede on brother Hyde has a letter for you as I thought he was going direct to England hope
that you will get it for I wrote about many things in it— the work is rolling on here with rapi-
dity in this country as much so and more than it ever has since the foundation of the church.
There has been an Indian and his wife and daughte baptized in Commerce a few days since they came
some hundreds of miles to become acquainted with the work they believed and embraced it joyfu-
lly they said every word of the book of mormon was true – he was an enterpreter to six tribes.
and he said that every one of his brethren would receive it he knew it would be so – two Elder with
their families (brother Butler and Emmit) have gone out among the Indians on a mission. Doctor
Gallund has returned from his mission I think he started just before you left Montrose and has
brought 60 families with him and expects it is said 200 families more soon. I have lately received a
letter from Mother Woodruff brought me by brother Dwite Webster he is now at my house and has
been here about a week I expect to go this afternoon to brother Hawley’s settlement ^with him^ he appears
to be a worthy brother. Mother Woodruff was well and family she mentioned haveing received
a letter from you since you arrived in England. Father and Mother Carter has writen to me
lately they were all well their they want you to come and see them when you return, father tells
me whenever I am in want of any thing to come to him and I shall find an asylem
there – sister Foss much desires to moove to the west.
May 22nd I have been down to brother Hawleys neighbourhood and found them all well except brother
S Smith’s wife she is quite low. Old Father John Smith lives in our house there – he is
a good old gentleman - brother Albert Smith lives in that neighbourhood – they were all
verry anxious to hear from you and wish to be remembered to you – brother Smoot thinks of star
ting the 26 of this month for the South on a mission and brother Webster thinks of going with him.
I do not know as you can find out this letter for I have to write it mostly with my babe
in my armes and little Sarah around me – she calls aloud for pa-pa many times in a day
but the poor child has no pa to hear her. she is quite lonely like myselfe can you not tell me some
thing near when you shall y come home I shall look for you in the fall. I have written you
three letters before this since you left this continent and d^i^rected them to Preston, Lankinshire, Eng.
and received 2 from you one dated Jan. 12th the other 27th - I should have written you oftener but
my circumstances would not admit of it – it was not for the want of fealing or anx
iety about you for believe me the society of no friends can fill the place of Willford in my heart
for I feal verry lonely of times Yes the briny flood will oft times overflow its banks in spite
of all my endeavours to restrain it but I know that it is the will of God that my compan
ion should labour in the vineyard of the Lord therefore I have tried to be reconciled to the will
of God in all things – I have not been left to murmer or complain once since you left me
but am looking forward to the day when you shall return home once more haveing filled
your mission in the love and fear of God. You are always present with me when I go
before the throne of grace and when I am asking for protection and blessings for myselfe and little
ones I claim a large one for my dear Willford who has gone far far from me even to a foreign
nation where he is exposed to all the scoffs of those who realize not the inportance importance of the things
of God and the dangers attached there unto– O may the spirit of humility wisdom grace peace and
truth ever rest upon you is the prayr of your Phebe who much desires to see you but cannot
at present. Sarah Emma and little Willford Jun Jr. wrote to you in the letter I sent you by brot
her Hyde I hope you will obtain the letters I have sent you for I mentioned many things
in them relative to my situation. I am now at father Clark’s whome I mentioned in my other
letter am living by myselfe and think of staying here untill fall they are verry kind to me.
I have a girl with me that works for me a part of the time and for herselfe some – [paper damaged]
got along quite comfortable since I came to father Clarks for help food and raime[nt] [paper damaged]
requested me to tell you particulars I would say that my cow has not yet come in [paper damaged]
the calfe you left with me I kept it (although they were not much pleased with it in brother
Hawly’s neighbourhood) because you desired me to before you left I have 2 hens and 12 chickens
they compose my stock at present. I hear that brother Joseph is expecting to have some houses built
in Commerce for the families of the 12 Commerce is building up surprizeingly – the emigration
there is said to be much greater than it ever was in Caldwell County, and the work is rolling
on in America with much rapidity – am glad to hear of its progress in England – pitty the
poor people in Eng. – I hope the saints will be patient and weight untill the Lord delivers them
which he will do in his own time and way. I suppose that you get the times and seasons as the Editors
said they sent each of the 12 a paper and by them you will learn of our brethrens success at Congress
and many other things perhapse more correctly than I could inform you. Bishop Partridge has
lately lost a daughter 18 years of age. – brothter Murphy of Tennesse whome you used to be acquainted
there came to lovely street stoped a while then returned to his family and lived but 4 days
afterwards. Sister Taylor Young &P Pratts familie’s are well. – Sister Kimbal is troubled some
with the ague and I have it every little while. We have lately heard that there has been a battle
fought in Maine between the British and Americans about the boundary line and the Governors son
was killed how it will end I know not – the British requested the Americans to give up the
disputed land forth with but they refuse to do it therefore they are fulfilling the prophecies ancient
and modern. We have heard of no accident happening to N. Orleans – there has been much
destruction of the shipping in this country the past winter and spring – think it must have surp
rized the people much to have seen that light and the earth rise as you mentioned in
your letter. Ephraim Luce and Stephen have a standing with the 70 seventies – brother Stephen
is expecting to go out on a mission this season – his father and mother is expected here this sea
son – she that was Melana Ames and Mary Ames have come back to the church. Brother
and sister Ames have sent for me to come and stay with them untill you return they
live about 60 miles from Commerce – Rufus has been baptised their son – and Volentine has as
much as he can do to get along with his family – lives on the south Island. Mr Mulliner is very
believing yet in this work and it is thought that he will be baptized – brother Hale talks of going
on to the Islands this season – I expect that Sarah Milliken will marry a man
out the church. Lest you may not get my letters I would just say that brother Ilus
is married and sister Shuah expects to be soon. sister Rhoda Scammans has a young
daughter 13 days older than my babe. brother Luther wants to come to the west but sister R
does not. Did you know of the correspondence between brother Webster and sister Eunice I
knew nothing of it untill he came here Mother Woodruff hinted someting of the kind in
her letter and Eunice sent me word to receive him as a particular friend of her's. and
then brother Webster told me of it himselfe he expects to take on himselfe the yoke of matrim
ony with sister Eunice a soon after his return from this mission. I think that he
will make an agreeable companion. he is a pleasant man and has an enquiring mind and
seames to gain much faith and strength by converseing and becomeing acquainted with
the brethren I think after he gets some more experience he will make a verry useful man.
Sidney has not yet retirned from Washington. suppose he is on his way. has been verry sick
on the way. The brethren are about trying to redeem Kirtland those who hold claim on
it will take land in canada and the church here will give them land here for their
possessions in canada I have lately heard that one brother Stodard formerly from there
was going back to see them about it. I often think that I should like to be with you a
while and see how are getting along. If you could look over here in a rolling prairie near the
timber into a little small house with one door in it you might see me verry often
[paper torn]ing my little boy in my armes and Sarah clinging on to the rocker of my chair so that
[paper torn]may rock a little with us singing pa-pa ma-ma and bilo [paper torn]boy or Willo as
she calls him.— I find my little ones are much company fo[paper torn] I had almost
forgotten to tell you that we heard that the Indan’s had been into two counties in
Missourie and made them pay them taxes on the land. it is said that the Misso
urians fear the Indians much. Mr. Bogart the capt. of the Missourie mob shot
a man their election day and he lived but a few hours. has had his trial and is to be
hung the 4th of next july. thus I suppose his career will be ended for this life.
Many of the brother are fearful of the Indian’s comeing on Montrose side of the
river and killing them but I feal verry easey about it myselfe although I have no
Willford to look out for me. I believe my trust is in the Lord and I think that he
will protect me. 24th Saturday eve. our family are in comfortable health and tomorrow
I expect to go to Commerce to hear brother Joseph preach on the resurrection
Sister Taylor has recently received a letter from brother Taylor wherein he says that you
baptize 32 persons one week and 13 of them were methodist preachers. glad to hear of
your success. Just heard that there was a letter in the office for me. hope it is so. write
often. dreamed last night of seeing and asking you when you was comeing home thought
you said, you did not know. hope you will tell me in your next when you think of come
ing home. Please give my respects to all the brother there with whome I am acquainted and all
those who love our Lord Jesus Christ. must give way for brother Webster. May grace mercy and
peace rest upon you forever in is the prayr of your companion
Willford Woodruff. P.W. Woodruff
[Brother Webster’s writing]
Dear Brother in the Lord
Mrs Woodruff has presented me this sheet with the
privilege of communicating a few lines therein to you, which I thankfully embrace. by this
you will conclude that I am at the west, which is the case. I left Con the 19 of April
and after a journey of 21 dayays I arived at Montrose from thence to this place. I
expect to remain here with the Church a short time, & than take a Mission to the east. I
am glad to find the Church in a prosperous situation which I think is the case. the news the
particulars I suppoase your Wife will communicate to you. there are many convinceing proofs
o that Israel will soon return and Zion be redeemed. I still remain a believer in the worck
although not exempt from temptation. yet throug faith in Christ I expect to conquer and gain
a Crown of life may the worck of God roal forward untill the kingdom and the greatness therof shall
be given to the Saints. pray for me. may the Love of God be with you. With the respects
of Dwight Webster, Your Brother in the Lord.
Please direct your letters to Montrose as it will be more convenient for me to get them.
Brother Webster s^t^arts on his mission monday morn. Good night Willford
(May 25 I have just heard that N. Orleans was covered 10 ft. deep with water and
it was still rising and that Nathces was entirely destroyed by a a whirlwind)
I have the chills and fever yet. There is a general conference appointed
in Commerce the 6 of next Oct. I hope you will be there P.W.
Montrose I.T.
May 28
Paid 25
Mr. Wilford Woodruff
In Care of Alford Cordon. Clubbuildings.
Navigation road. Burslem Staffordshire England
One Sheet onely, Single Letter
[Wilford’s writing] Phebe W Woodruff
May 9th 25th 1840
July 14th 1840
Answered