Akron, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1852.
Dear Ruth, — Your letter
to mother and children is this day received. We are always glad to hear from
you, and are much pleased with the numerous particulars your letters contain. I
have had a return of the ague (rather severe), so that I am pretty much laid
up, and not good for much anyway; am now using means to break it up again. Your
mother is still more or less troubled with her difficulties, but is able to
keep about and accomplish a good deal. The remainder of the family (and
friends, so far as I know) are quite well. We are getting nearly through haying
and harvest. Our hay crop is most abundant; and we have lately had frequent
little rains, which for the present relieves us from our fears of a terrible
drouth. We are much rejoiced to learn that God in mercy has given you some
precious showers. It is a great mercy to us that we frequently are made to
understand most thoroughly our absolute dependence on a power quite above
ourselves. How blessed are all whose hearts and conduct do not set them at
variance with that power! Why will not my family endeavor to secure his favor,
and to effect in the one only way a perfect reconciliation?
The cars have been
running regularly from Akron to Cleveland since July 5, so that there is now
steam conveyance from Akron to Westport. This is a great comfort, as it reduces
the journey to such a trifling affair. We are making a little preparation for
the Ohio State Fair at Cleveland, on 15th, 16th, 17th September next, and think
we shall exhibit some cattle and sheep. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have been away at
New York for about three weeks. Mr. Perkins is away for a great part of the
time. We are quite obliged to our friend Mrs. Dickson for remembering us; are
glad she is with you, and hope you will do a little towards making her home
with you happy on our account, as we very much respect her, and feel quite an
interest in her welfare. Our Oliver has been speculating for some months past
in hogs. I think he will probably come out about even, and maybe get the
interest of his money. Frederick manages the sheep mostly, and butchers mutton
for the two families. Watson operates on the farm. Salmon is chief captain over
the cows, calves, etc., and he has them all to shine. Jason and Owen appear to
be getting along with their farming middling well. The prospect now is that the
potato crop will be full middling good. Annie and Sarah go to school. Annie has
become a very correct reader. Sarah goes singing about as easy as an old shoe.
Edward still continues in California. Father is carrying on his little farming
on his own hook still, and seems to succeed very well. I am much gratified to
have him able to do so, and he seems to enjoy it quite as much as ever he did.1
I have now written about all I can well think of for this time.
Your affectionate father,
John Brown.
_______________
1 Owen Brown was now eighty-one years old. Edward
was his youngest son. Sarah was John Brown's daughter, at this time six years
old.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 151-2
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