This letter is from Lucinda A. Bacon Anderson to Mary Lucina Bacon who married Francis Reuben Towar in 1868. Note the names Lucinda and Mary Lucina. Lucina is not a misprint it was pronounced Lu ci (long I) na.

Lowell, May 12, 1861

Dear Sister Mary,

            I received your letter nearly a week ago but have not-found time to answer it until this evening. I am so glad to hear that Father is recovering and that the rest are usually well, but you did not speak about the sore eyes, are they getting better? We are well. Fred sits on the lounge eating (that’s his main hold now-a-gays) He has been well with the exception of a cold ever since he came home. George went to Boston yesterday and has just got home. I staid a lone all night - I think I am getting brave in my old age don’t you? We have nearly all our garden made and I finished sowing my flower seeds today. I have so much to do that I don’t where to begin first I have made me a sun bonnet-of that calico like Adelaide’s lonnge not very pretty but better than none. Times are hard with us and I cannot get what I really stand in need of but I hope for better times some day. That’s some consolation you know. George says he will get me a Shaker but I shall not let him go in debt for it.

            Freddie’s leg is just as it was when I left you. He tries hard enough to use it. George tried to get a boot for him but they would not make one in Lowell at all. They say we can get one in G. Rapids for five dollars. So you see we are out there but I keep his ankle braced as well as I can. He talks a great deal about you all. He says poor grandpa gone away, sick in bed, got sore belly. When I am alone he is talking about some one of you all the time. There is a man goes by here quite often that Fred calls Doe Darling. He cries after him until he gets out of sight.

            There are a great many enlisting around here - almost all the young men. It makes me shudder when I think what the result may be. George wrote to Doe Darling in hopes he could get that money for Father but have received no answer yet. We have offered 40 acres of land for sale and thought we had sold it but slipt-up on it. George says 40 is all he can work alone and if we could sell it we could pay all our debts and have some left.

            I did not have very good luck with my plants. I have the rose Mrs. Flansburg sent up to me in the jar and the Fucha, a fish geranium and the lilly Mrs. Shipherd gave me. I have sowed some of those Verbena seeds Mother gave and they look well. We have just bought seven hens and rooster. My letter I dare say is very interesting but you know you told me write all the news.

            Monday May 13th. Sister Mary it was so late last evening that I left-your letter unfinished so I will write a few lines more providing I can find any thing to write about.

            Julia Anderson has been here two weeks. She is going to her friends in Rockford next week. She has not heard from Will in four months. She feels very uneasy and I don’t wonder at it either.

            I want you to write me all about your school. How many scholars you have and if you get any thing new send me a piece of it. I suppose Phebe is school marm by this time and write if Ken’s folks are coming to Michigan. I wish you were here. This summer our teacher gets twelve sillings a week. You must make up your mind to come here next spring. O how does John the Blacksmith prosper now-a-days. Give him my compliments. Poor little fellow. How I feel for him. Mary I have no news that would interest you so I will close my letter.

            Hoping to hear from you all soon. Tell Philo and Ad not to wait for us but write as soon as possible. I would like the hear from Nate and Julia . I have never received an answer to the letter I write while I was home. I think of you all every hour in the day. I hope mother’s eyes will get so that she can write to me soon. George and Freddie send love you all and I you know do.

                                                                                                         Lucinda to Mary