Transcription:
2 continue those studies as he would never be a doctor. I am not sorry that you have left Avery as I think your health has
suffered by your residence there With much pleasure I received your likeness. I had long wished for one, but it don t give
us the idea of very robust health perhaps you had been studying too hard but I now expect you will be better able to take
care of your health- Jany 20th 1870 Since I began this letter Christmas and New Years day has come and gone I never expected
to be so long in sending off this letter, but so it is, we were much surprised a few days ago by having a visit from David
3 and his wife. we were not aware she could leave home she has had a long sickness, and the children have been sick but
they have all got well again we had the pleasure of seeing Anne and Joanna, and Sarah, with her family, here on Christmas
day, but a great many were a wanting, although not one of the family were forgotten, however distant they might be Margt has
been worse than usual for some time. I am sorry to say but the rest of them are well the latest news from John are that he
is well, and still enjoys living in Cal. Your father has been very busy this winter building fences until the snow got too
deep for work we have not had any hired help for the last four weeks