Background: Eleanor Jayne was probably writing this from New York City. 

My Dear Samuel

            I have time to write just aline you will like all your clothes but your pants and I could not prevail on your Pa to get any others but I have got some beautiful black broadcloth and if you choose to let Mc’All make them I will send you the cloth I think it will be best

            Post is the only one here who has got your measure but he shall never sew another stitch for me, because he would not take those pants back and make another pair of fine ones ‘tho’ I offered him whatever he chose to charge for the trouble but I can send you the cloth and I think Mc’All makes them as nice as Post tell Aunt Nancy I am much obliged other for her dollar but I cannot think of taking it so give the one enclosed to her. The shoes, Parasol, teapot and one pineapple is for Caddy you may give aunt Adaline 1 p’apple and aunt Hannan A 1 and aunt Nancy 1 You and Caddy can have one between you.  Get aunt Jayne to fix those pants of your Pa’s for you when the weather gets warm I would send you all something if I had money but you must wait ‘til I get richer Give aunt Jane the peaches and say nothing about them     

                                                                                    Your Affectionate mother

                                                                                                E  F  Jayne

Give my love to all

(noted on back of letter.)

            Received 23^rd May 1850 5^th term

            Answered by S. F. Jayne

Courtesy of the Davenport Historical Association, Davenport, NY, 13750. Over 500 letters from the Ferguson and Jayne families, most dating from the mid-nineteenth century, are available in The Ferguson-Jayne Papers, 1826 - 1938, edited by Mary S. Briggs, Interlaken New York: Heart of the Lakes Publishing, 1981. Transcribed for this web site by Margaret Monaco. All misspellings have been carefully preserved.