Akron, Ohio, May 14, 1852.
Dear Children, — I have a
great deal to write, and but very little time in which to do it. A letter was
received from you, which Salmon put in his pocket before it had been opened,
and lost it. This grieved me very much indeed; I could hardly be reconciled to
it. We have been having the measles, and now have the whooping-cough among the
children very bad. Your mother was confined by the birth of the largest and
strongest boy she ever had two weeks ago, and has got along well considering
all our difficulties. The little one took the measles, and was very sick, and
has now the whooping-cough so bad that we expect to lose him; we thought him
dying for some time last night. Annie and Sarah cough badly; Oliver is getting
over it. Our little one has dark hair and eyes like Watson's; notwithstanding
our large number, we are very anxious to retain him. Jason and Owen have gone
on to a large farm of Mr. Perkins over in Talmadge. Frederick is with us, and
is pretty well. The family of Mr. Perkins have the whooping-cough, and have had
the measles. They have another son, a few days older than ours. Our other
friends are well, so far as we know. Father was with us, quite well, a few days
ago. We have had so much rain that we could do but little towards spring crops.
Have planted our potatoes. The grass is forward; great prospect of apples and
cherries, but no peaches scarcely. Have twelve of the finest calves I ever saw.
Our Troy suit went in our favor, but not to the extent that it ought. I have
bought out the interests of Jason and Owen in the lot we got of Mr. Smith, on
which, I suppose, you are living before this. I can send you no more now than
my earnest wishes for your good, and my request that as soon as you can you
send me the substance of your last letter, with such additions as you may be
able to make.
Your affectionate father,
John Brown.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 149
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