Transcription:
1 Hickory Hill. Dec. 31st 1865 Well dear brother writing letters Is a grand affair indeed To the absent what is better
Than a sisters homely screed Knowing this tis very pleasant This to send in black and white All the news I know at present
That will brother Dan delight Of late we have been very much put about with the idea that you have not received our letter
Anne and I wrote to you some time ago and as you said nothing about it to David but told him to give us a drilling for not
writing we decided you had not received it Now I will tell you how we spent christmas and expect you will tell me how you
spent it very soon. well christmas morning father, mother and Annie, started for Portage leaving Joanna and I to enjoy ourselves
at home. after we had finished our work we went and mad a