Dear Willford
I presume you will be somewhat surprised
when you learn where this letter was written but perhapse not more
than I was when I went to my door in Iowa and saw brother
J. F. Carter and L. Scammans ride up to the door I could hard think
it possible that they could be there but truly strange things happen in
these last days, they came on to see the country and stoped with me about
6 days and insisted on my accompanying them home and spending the
winter at home and then if I wished I could return with you in
the spring so we left Montrose on the 16 of Nov. and arrived here yester-
day we have had a good and safe passage thus far and tolerable good health.
our dear little babe was some unwell two or thre days with the chills and
fever but I procured some of the tonic mixture and gave him and it helped
him so he is quite smart now. My health is good accepting some cold occasioned
by traveling. I hope to be comfortably situated in my fathers house before you re-
ceive this as we expect to leave here tomorrow for Maine. We are now at
brother Iluse’s he has got a verry pleasent girl for a wife about 18 years old.
You told me in your last communication that you was going to send me
some money and wished me to spend it in some ^the^ way that would make me
the most comfortable so I thought that way would be to go home and spend
the winter with my relatives hope to see you in Maine in the spring
I packed up my things and left them at father Clarks where I have been living
and left them in their care with my heifer the cow I let a widow woman have
for her milk she is to keep her for her milk untill my return. I have not heard
from you since last july or your letter was dated th 6th of July where in you
mentioned brother Turley’s return home and mentioned writing and sending
me some things by him he had not arrived when when we left but was
expected daily as we heard he had left N.Y. with his company for Montrose
but it was getting so late in the season that we dared not wait any longer
so I borrowed 15 dolls. of sister Taylor and told I saw and engaged sister
Kimbal to take charge of the things you sent until our return and to pay
pay sister Taylor the sum of money I borrowed of her if you sent
any and left word to have your letters forwarded to me in Maine I feel
verry anxious to hear from you more so since you went to London.
I feel verry thankful that the Lord has blessed you in your ministry in the
maner that he has since you have been gone from home but Oh! how long
you have been gone sometimes my heart almost sinks within me when I
think how long you have been gone and the scenes that I have passed through
since you left me and was I to dwell upon it I should sink beneath it
but hitherto the Lord has supported me. do tell me when you think
you will be at home the next time when you write if you camn I
often get quite impatient weighting your return. Could I have taken
our little Sarah east with me it seames as though I should have been
happy but Ah! I had to leave her remains in Commerce while I went
east with my little Willy but not without first visiting her grave and strew
ing it with leaves, but I leave this subject. The church in Commerce
and Iowa is increaseing verry fast som some things are taking place in
the church which are bad but bu I will tell you more about it when
you come home which I hope and trust will be in the spring and
hope you will be prepared fo with meanes to take me back in the spring ^with you^
although I expect my friends will be opposed to my going back and
that was the greatest and only objection that I had to going home perhapse
they may change my mind upon the subject but I hope not. I want you to
write often for I think you do not feel as lonely as I do. Father Clark’s
family have been verry kind to me ever since I have been there and they
wish to be remembered to you. I have sent you as many as eight or nine
letters since Iyou left N.Y. and paid the postage on them to N.Y. I feel verry
sorry that you do not get them. I have not received any papers from you
in Eng. should be much pleased to read them hope you will bring a coppy
of them home with you and some hymbooks. I have lately received a letter
from sister Eunice they were well—father Carter’s family are well—
I should be glad to call on father Woodruff’s family as I go along but
shall not have time as it is so late in the season. I should be glad
to see see some of the Saints here in N.Y. but have no oppor
tunity to call on them neither should I know where
to find them. I must write a line to sister Eunice
so that I must close by wishing to be remembered by Willford
to all the American brethren and all the Saints around
you likewise particularly brother Kingstons family I should
be glad to fill this sheet but cannot for want of room
time. Do remember wme and Willy in all your pray[ers]
So good night my dear W.
P. W. Woodruff
Willford Woodruff
I suppose you have no objections to my
comeing east I was advised to do so by many
Phebe W. Woodruff New York C.
Dec 6th 1840
Answered London Jan 13th 1841
Mr Willford Woodruff
40 Ironmunger Road St
Lukes London
Mr. Wilford W. Woodruff
149 Old Ham road
Manchester
England
[stamp in red ink] E
13 JA 13
1841
[stamp in red ink] MANCHESTER
JA 12
1841
[stamp in red ink] NEW YORK
DEC
11
[stamp in black ink] LIVERPOOL
SHIP LET[TER]
[postage stamp] POSTAGE
B ONE PENNY 1