I often wish that you could have her a little while perhapse one night or so and then I could have her back again— she is a verry affectionate child. I am now at Father Clarks where I have been about 12 weeks he has no wife she died just before they were driven from Missourie— he has made me welcome to stay here untill you return; would it not be for the best think you,— they are a verry kind family he says he wants me to feal as much at home ...

Montrose Lee County May 9th 1840 My Dear Willford Think me not negligent in answering your letter when I tell you you that it about 3 weeks since I received your last communication which I was truly glad to get and perused it with much satisfaction— the most of my time since your letter came to hand has been devoted to the care of my babe for the destroyer has tried hard to get him from me but I feell as though I had the best right to him and ...

I do not know as you can find out this letter for I have to write it mostly with my babe in my armes and little Sarah around me – she calls aloud for pa-pa many times in a day but the poor child has no pa to hear her. she is quite lonely like myselfe can you not tell me some thing near when you shall y come home I shall look for you in the fall. I have written you three letters before this since you left this continent and d^i^rected them ...