Sarah Town Letter Activity

Sarah Town Letter

Addressed to:

Mr. Ephraim Town
Franklin, Vermont

Adams [Ill] July 4th 1846

Dear Parents Brothers and Sisters

I have once more resumed my pen, though far away among strangers in a strange land, to let you know that I am well and have not forgotten you no, I often wish I could see you but wish in vain; and nought but the anticipation of doing good by teaching and leading the young and rising generation in the road that leads to virtue and to God, could have induced me to leave my own dear friends and country, and the heaven bought privileges which I have enjoyed. I am now situated where I have not the privilege of attending meeting very often. I have been to a Methodist meeting one half day, there is no Methodist Society within 2 or 3 miles, and there is wet places crossing the prairie so that it is difficult getting along on foot although in almost plain sight. Truly it is a task for me to be deprived of the privilege of assembling for the worship of God upon the holy sabbath. But my prayer is Lord keep me as the apple of thine eye; preserve me from falling out by the way.

Through the goodness of the Lord I had a school engaged the next week after my arrival I am now engaged, have 27 scholars part of the time and expect more, have 1, 12 1/2 cts per week, am in the neighborhood of Presbyterians a very good people, but are so formal in the manner of worship that it hardly seems like a meeting to me, but I am glad to say they are very strict with regard to the holy sabbath.

I suppose you would like a description of our journey of which I will but imperfectly describe. We started from Lowell April 29th took cars went to Boston, stopped over night next day about 8 oclock P.M. took the cars rode all night and arrived at Albany in the morning, and about 3 oclock P.M. took the canal boat for Buffalo. Were 9 days going from Albany to Buffalo. The canal was so thronged with boats that it was almost impossible to get along. We stoped in Buffalo about 3 hours, from thence we took the Great Western steamboat, loaded with 1000, passengers and a number thousand tuns of freight, and set sail about 8 o’clock p.m., and arrived at Cleveland Ohio next day about 11 o’clock a.m., which was the sabbath a day not very dear to my memory because of my extreme sickness. I arose in the morning went upon deck gazed upon the water which was all in commotion presently the bell rang for breakfast; I sat down and ate a good meal, arose and walked round a while thought perchance I should not be sick, but before I had done thinking about it, the way I vomited was a caution; and kept it up every few minutes during the day and most of the night, and I began to feel pretty well done up. But I was not alone for out of 18 ladies who occupied the cabbin there was but one able to take dinner. I did not eat anything until the next day noon with the exception of a cup of tea and a bit of cake. They all said I was the sickest one in the cabbin at length I recovered; we had rough time most of the way but through the preserving care of a merciful Providence were carried safely through.

Were 5 days crossing the lakes. At length we arrived at Chicago, Ill. from thence we hired a man to carry us 30 miles to Mr. Bacheldores fathers which took us most of 2 days; crossed a prairie 6 or 7 miles in extent, which was very wet by reason of so much rain, our horse got down 2 or 3 times and the men were obliged to get out and wade up to or above their knees for most of the way, Saw 18 or 20 deer 4 or 5 cranes 2 or 3 snakes and occasionally a log cabin.

At length we arrived at Mr. Bacheldors fathers, found them pleased to see us, I had a school engaged the next week. I stoped with them about 3 weeks, charged nothing for my board were as kind to me as though I were a child; said I might have a home there untill I could find better. Thus we see that friends in need are friends indeed.

If I could have my friends here and the christian society I have left I should be quite contented am very content now only I want to go to meeting on the sabbath. But I am looking forward to that sabbath of eternal rest where congregations never break up and sabbaths never end. Our dear friends let us prepare for the great and solemn meeting. Do write immediately Sister Jane and father answered one letter which caused my heart to leap for joy, and I hope you will all remember and write not a day passes but I think of you and implore the blessings of heaven upon you. Remember my love to poor sister M. and family, likewise Sister C and family tell them to write.

Sarah Town

Who wrote this letter?