Addressed May 6 to Mr James C Foster Boston Mass with speed Lagrange Feb. the 9 18*7 My Dear son i write to day to informe that we are tolerable smart my health is not verry good. your Father i think is not quite so sick as was last winter. Adeline and Amanda have both had the fever. Amanda came home four weeks ago she is now considerable smart and is going back when she gets able to work. Adaline was sick first and Amanda took care of her and then was taken sick herself and when she got able to ride she came home since you left last s(p)ring you and Amanda OrraAnn and Phebe have all had the fever together with your Fathers sickness and many sick turns the boys have had all together with every thing else has had a verry sensible effect on my health. We received your letter and was glad to hear that you were well and felt sorry that you had hurt your hand. James i want you to write as soon as you get this and let me know when you intend to come home. I want to see you o how much I cannot express. Should anny misfortune befall you or ill fate attend you how unhappy it would render me. i wish you success in all your undertakings in this life and beyond the grave a Glorious state of life and immortality i want to see you again in this world but if we never see each other again in time my prayer is that we may meet beyond these fluctuating scenes where not a crygh to heave the swelling bosom to this end let us try to live a life of prayer and secret devotion to God who is our bountiful benefactor and preserver your Father wants to see you very much likewise all the family and wants you to be verry particular when you will return home. this from your Mother Adeline Foster [The letter is very fragile, a couple of holes in the paper, the date's 3rd number is missing.April 3, 1855 is what I have recently found as her death date. That would make the letter date 1847, which is close to what I had as James C. Foster's arrival in Boston. ]