GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #38
 

Anson to Parents

Brookfield Jan. 29, 1865

Dear Father and Mother 

            It is Sabbath day, pleasant though cold. We are cozily seated in our kitchen taking all the comfort & more than we anticipated. Perhaps you say “why write today?” I must say I have no other leisure time unless I take it from my sleeping hours after 10:30 PM.I find my hours and all filled with some kind of work but I hope by and by to get settled so that I may have an hour now & then to read – write & study.

            I have been to church today and listened to a very practical sermon Deut. XXXII-47. first clause.

            I like B.[1] very well through the week but where Sunday comes I am lost. The Methodists have no prayer meeting in the Eve & no separate place of worship. I tell you it don’t seem like old Dudley when I can attend with my own people and have the help I need from warm, lively prayer and class meetings. There is but little use for me to try to live away from the means of grace for deprived of these I feel that I don’t live, only stay and waste precious time without any spiritual growth. But we have a family altar and are striving to keep up the form though there be little of the power attending it. I don’t like to think that I am alone in the world 7 must stand on my own effort or fall from my own neglect – yet this is the fact. I am out in the cold heartless world for the first time though I am in my twenty sixth year. I can breast its storms along yet how much pleasanter it is to be surrounded by kind words & kindly deeds – to be asked now and then by some arm Christian heart how my soul is prospering.                                           

            Now you will read this over – laugh and say A.P. is homesick perhaps it is one kind of homesick but not what we usually mean by that term for I have a home as happy as I can wish.

            I wish you could just look upon us after we get fairly settled and if we don’t look comfortable it will not be our fault.

            Those barrels came first rate. I left them to be brought on the freight train as it would cost me only 35 cts instead of $2.50 by the accommodation. Nothing was broken. I have put a brine to that beef. My potatoes cost $1.00 per bushel – butter 55 cts, Lard 28, Sugar 29, Molasses 1.25. Our stove bakes first rate- and Ellen is very much pleased with it. The doors are swell front and there is a nice heavy grate between them and the fire.

            I wish you could come and see us by and by. I will pay your fare gladly if you will only come. Waldo is well & sends much love, Hoping this finds you all well.

                                    We subscribe,

                                             Your children,

                                                     AP & EA


[1] Brookfield. After his discharge, Anson married Ellen A. Robbins on September 4, 1864, and at the time this letter was written they were living in Brookfield.

Previous Letter     Next Letter