Mr. & Mrs. Southgate.
Medford, Aug. 14, 1797.
Dear Mother:
I am very sorry for your trouble, and sympathize with you in it. I now
regret being from home, more than ever, for I think I might be of
service to you now the children are sick. I hope they will be as much
favored in their sickness _now_, as they were when they had the measles.
I am very sorry that Jane has broken her arm, for it generally causes a
long confinement, and I fear she has not got patience enough to bear it
without a great deal of trouble. I suppose that Isabella will be very
much worried about her babe. I would thank you to write me very often
now—for I shall be very anxious about the children. I believe I have got
some news to tell you, that is, I have found one of your acquaintance,
and relation; it is a Mrs. _Sawyer_, before she was married she was
Polly King, and she says that you kept at their house when you was in
Boston. I believe I have nothing more to request, only for you to give
my love to all the children, and _kiss_ each of them for _me_, and tell
them to be as patient as they can. Give my respects to my Father and
tell him I want to receive a letter from him very much.