may th 2 [1865]
My dear son i write you few lines hopeing they will find you
								   re
well we received your wellcome letter on saterday and we we^
glad to hear from you and i we do thank god for his mercy and goodness
									ugh
in spare in your lives midst all the dangers you have had to pass thor^
for some time past it has been a time of anxiety with us we would
have been glad to have heard from you every day but feel thankfull
that we can still hope to se you again may god haste the day
							and
i expect some of the others will tell you all particulars ^ how glad
					     got
we all were when we heard that Will had ^ back to you we
are looking for him home and we cant but hope that you will
								      r
both be home before long it is the genral opion here that the wa^
is over i know it will take some time to get things settled but
i pray and trust in god that all will be well i can commit all
in to his hands and rely on him for help and he will not


reject our prayers when we feel humble and contrite i hav^
not much chance to write to day we have your little boy here
he is a sweet baby and very dear to us i wish you could se him
betsy ann will tell you why he is here and how she gets
							ed
all along your father has got that old meadow plough^
		sow
and is going to ^ it with oats he keeps at work but keeps
wishing you where both rememberd in our prayers as 
							          wer
you always are o may our heavenly father hear you and ans^
us and give that faith and love that will cast out all fear i 
							       ing
can give up all to his divine care and feel comforted know^
he is our father our saviour and our freind and there is no other
				         with
blessings rest on you both and abide ^ you now and forever fo from you
mrs potter paper has not come yet but they expect it will	mother
			soon						SN

[Upside down writing at top of letter] 
bily coot is back his trial will be i hear this week
[End]