[written to Mary Phillips, later to become the first wife of Rev. John Watson D.D]

Haywood Mills
[New Hampshire?]

Jan 20. 1863.

My very dear Cousin

It has been a subject of great regret to me that we have not kept up a correspondence of some kind through the last six or seven years. for I think it must be that time since the last letter was written.

It isn't any use now to make excuses, so let me improve my time at once by leaving that past delinquence, with the assurance that I have loved you much and thought of you very often, wishing I could see you and have a long talk. I must tell you some of the changes that have taken place with regard to myself, as the subject of your interest.

Mama would inform you of my marriage. well, I have a great tall handsome fellow of a husband, with heavy black beard & mustach: he would do for a wounded or Gallant Huzzar in case of necessity. the wounds would be preferred imaginary, of course. you must ask him for his character &c, for I fear I could not give an unbiased opinion. suffice it to say, I am one of the happiest of wives.

My eldest girl is a fine healthy girl of six years - light hair, blue eyes & fair. The next a bouncing, broad as long gypsy of fun, cheeks like peaches - dancing brown eyes - dark hair. and the sweet golden haired baby, running about in her quiet way all day long: she is a model baby. and if you were to ask me how I like taking care of babies and that sort of thing, I would tell you, I think it is the jolliest way of spending ones time in the world.

We live away in the woods, a thoroughly back woods place: a farm, a grist mill, a saw mill, &c. I make my own Soap & Candles, churn, salt meat & bake extensively. I have no doubt you would think it a very strong life. we have no company or society of any kind with whom we could mix. for miles round, mostly Irish Catholics, poor shiftless & thriftless. but we intend to get on & have a very nice place here someday. I have a nice house: a cottage of seven rooms, and what will be soon a nice garden & orchard round it. Ma says the place is very much like the place where she was brought up: so Uncle Henry can form some idea of it. Ma spends her time between brother James family and mine. and I dont know what I should do if she did not, for I am sometimes months without leaving home or seeing any friend or acquaintance.

As you see, I have time to think of my dear relatives & long to see them very much, though I fear I may keep on longing. I am going to, or in fact have, turned over a new leaf and begin a fresh corespondence. which I hope will be continued for a longer time than the last. write me a long letter, my best of cousins, and tell me all about your self, sister, father, mother, baby, and all you can think of.

Mary Ann Phillips

[postscript]

You must not understand that we have none of the refinements of life. we have some of the best of Literature, a piano, and lots of fingers if not players -

Once in a while I run away to see some friends play & sing, and become generaly a Lioness, and then return to my lair with a stock of new books, new music and new ideas. As soon as I can, I'll have a photograph taken & send you one. as a matron, also my babies & the Huzzar aforementioned.

[the following notes have been added in different handwriting]

I think often and sadly of poor cousin Tom. My love to Harriet & family.
Believe me dear Mary

Your loving cousin
polly.

Dear Sally,
we are all well and join in love to you and all
H Phillips