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PR 6/17/2024 This is listed as page 1 of 2.

with her husband a corps [sic] must have felt very lonely. the body was tp be embalmed and I suppose was, it looked I thought very natural but a little dark. The coffin was very heavy first a lead one and then one of common wood and then an oak one all made snug to one another and straped [sic] with iron. it looked very plain for these days and yet it looked very well, well enough. Information has been received from California of the death of Benjamin Willets short illness

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taken one day ??????the next nervous paralisis [sic] something of the kind, I suppose he has left but few that will feel to morn [sic] much on his account, Julia Arnold the same account says was in the asylum that the Doctor said if she ha come sooner he could have helped her and gave some encouragement of helping yet. George said when he was here he had a letter from Benjamin who said willets left his wife 1000$ and the use of 1200 that he gave Daniel 50000$ that he owed his Father and Mary the use of 30000$ and the remainder equally between Daniel and Mary that the children have given the widow the use of 25000$ more all the furniture except some that was Anne and Caroline and the use of house horses and carriage this winter or untill [sic] spring, The estimated value of his property by some is 800000$ Joseph is going to Roslyn to cart a load of salt for Jessey and ????? nearly full guess it night as well go I expected to put in a slip but guess the two will be sufficient in weight we are so glad to hear from you but I think I am growing more remiss in answering correspondence several have lain months and I promised to write to Howard who is at Providence Matilda is at home and thinks she has improved nicely Willis as you can see by his letters does not improve in his writing as much as he ought he calculates to learn that art often He has had a tooth drawn it was decaying and began to ache some except that he has been well and shows no symptoms of homesickness he would like to see you here are you not coming this winter write soon affectionately Mary