Farmington Hartford County Ct
My Dear Phebe
In the midst of my Fathers family I once
more take up my pen to convers with you a few moments. I have
delayed writing longer than I should but I have been waiting for a
letter from you I have had the greatest anxiety to hear from you
& Sarah E. & the friends around you but as yet I have not had that privilege
When I passed through Buffalo I sent to the Post Office by the Captain of the
boat that carried me to Albany & he found no letter there for me I am
in hope that I shall find one from you when I arive at New York for
I have great anxiety about you to know if you & the babe are
sick or well I have seen you twice since I left home (in dream) &
from what you told me the last time I did not know but you
was sick or had a poor turn but I hope mot at any rate I want
to hear from you. I have much I should be glad to say to you
at this time but I must be brief as Eunice will write some
on this sheet: you will wish to hear a word concering my journey
On the 21st Aug I left Rochester & the Island friends On the 24th I was
in Terre Haute spent 2 days there with Doct Modesett a Saint visited the buying [burying]
yard obtained much information concernig Asahel from a Mr Adams
On the 30th spent the night with the family of James Townsend
he had gone with a team from home they had all been sick with
the Ague & fever Sept 1st Sundy I preached to a congregation of
Germons Brother Taylor followed me while he was speaking I sat by
a window the wind blew upon me & I had a chill & fever that eveng I
had been gain[in]g in health untill that time I continued my journey in
the morning but the ague again left me I continued my journey to
Clevland by land at which place I arived on the tenth of Sept enjoying pretty
good health I took boat on Lake Erie on the 10th I noticed however
with peculiar feelings as I journied by land the places whare you suffered
with your sickness [Eunice Hart Woodruff Webster] with regard to crossing the Lake, we had a very tedious time of it. were
caught in a line storm, and was in it 3 days on our way to Buffalo, at which place on the 13th we ^I^ took line
boat for Albany, arrived at Albany on the 19th. during which time in consequence of the cold I took on the Lake
with the crowded situation of the boat, caused a return of the chills and fever, which I had every day for
the last week of my journey. I took stage at Albany at 10 oclock at night, travell'd through the night, and
also the next day, and finally arrived at Avon about sunset. spent the night at Aunt Wheelers, the next
morn being the 21st of Sept. I arrived at Fathers house at Farmington, and had the happy privilege thro’
the blessing of God, of once more meeting Fathers household face to face, have now been at home about 10 days
and immediately on my return home as I began to be recruited from my journey, my health began to
amend, and did not have my turns of fever and ague, although I have felt the effects of it in some
degree from day to day, but I would here say that I have felt perfectly easy as regards the affliction of my
body feeling confident that I shall soon recover my usual health. and I would here say as before that I do
not wish you to give yourself an uneasiness as it regards my health, only give me your prayrs, and all will
be well. I would just also remark that I lacked nothing on my journey as it regards my temporal wants, and
had 50 cents left when I arrived at Fathers, and my purse is beginning to be replenished so that I shall
be enabled to continue my journey in a few days. since at home I have had an interview with most of the
Saints that belong to this small branch of the church. Uncle Ozem Woodruff, Sister Anna Cossitt brother Dwight—
Webster &c. were among the number, and I felt truly ^to^ rejoices before the Lord to find them firm in the faith
and holding fast whereunto they had attained, and determined to do the will of the Lord henceforth, and they
have a Zion spirit desiring to gather with the Saints. I would say that my Grand mother, Anna Thompson,
departed this life a day or two since. was buried yesterday. We have visited Uncle Adna Hart found him quite low
and to all appearance near the borders of the grave. as it regards the rest of our friends they are usually well,
I have not as yet heard from any of our friends in Scarborough, but I expect soon to see brother Ilus in
New York.
Give my respects to Sisters Young all the Saints in Commerce and Montrose from head to foot
inasmuch as you have an apportunity, tell brother Hawley that I have had an interview with
his brothere in law Mr Satler, he was very anxious to see him. I must now draw to a close
as Sister Eunice will fill the remainder of this sheet, b I hope I shall be gratified with a
Letter from you before I leave New York.
I still remain yours in the strongest ties,
Wilford Woodruff
Mrs Phebe Woodruff
N.B. I would here remark that I discovered your “petition” soon after leaving home and was highly
edified with the spirit thereof thereof and I pray God my heavenly Father at all times to answer
all such prayrs that may ascend in our behalf.
W.
Farmington Oct. 1st.
Dear Sister
As Willford has reserved for me a page to fill, I will now cheerfully (tho’ in something of a hurry)
seat myself to pen you a few lines. I recieved your Letter at the hands of my brother and was truly glad to
hear from you, was sorry however to hear of the ill state of your health as also that of your family, but
how it will soon be improved. Wilford as you are aware is quite unwell, and we feel as you write, much
anxiety respecting him, as he is about to undertake such a journey. and it seems to me as tho’ I could
not have him leave us so soon, but then, we know that God has called and said “Go”, and
shall we worms of the dust say stay' Nay, but let us rather rejoice that he is accounted worthy
to become a messenger from God to the nations of the earth. but still my natural feelings at times
gain the ascendency and I can hardly reconcile myself to have him leave us. I need not say that
W. is a brother that I set much by of this you probably are aware. but as Asahel is gone, my
affections return with double force upon Willford. I place confidence in him as I formerly did
in Asahel, looking to him, as a friend and protector, I hope however I shall not forget that
my comforts and blessings flow from God, the bountiful giver of all good,
I suppose I shall have to be brief at this time, but I shall write you from time to ti[me] [page torn]
shall hope to hear from you often, and do give us a particular account of things an[d] [page torn]
with you, for we shall ever be glad to hear, and also as it respects the situation of the church.
I would ask no greater blessing than to be permitted to take up my residence with the Saints with the
Saints at the west, I would be willing to undergo ma[n]y earthly privations. I have felt as tho’ I should
like it much could I be with you whilst W. is gone his mission, but I suppose it would not be
considered consistent at present. but I do feel as tho’ I should be permitted e'er long, to stand on
Mount Zion with the blessed company. pray for me Sister, that I may live in such a manner
as to be accounted worthy to escape the just judgments of God abroad in the land, and finally
have a standing given me with the saints of God. I have been quite unwell most of the time since
W. has been at home and consequently have not received as much pleasure in hearing him converse upon
this Latter day work, as I otherwise should have done. but we have had a very pleasant with him, and
shall remember it with much pleasure. the greatest complaint I make is that I have not had scarcely
any apportunity of conversing with him myself. I hope the Lord will grant that he may have grace
given him to perform his mission acceptably. that the Lord would be with him and bless him
continually. grant him with the rest of the company a safe and pleasant journey over the waters
and when their mission is fill'd return them safe to the bosom of their friends.
My best wishes for the welfare of yourself and babe, I remain yours, Sister Eunice
Mrs
Phebe Woodruff.
Montrose
Lee County
Ioway Territory
[stamp in red ink] FARMINGTON
OCT
2
CT
[stamp in red ink] MAIL
25
W. Woodruff farmington
& Eunice Sept 30, 1839