May the 28
My dear son i sit down to write a few lines to you but it is with
feeling of great anxietiey your last letter told informed us that you
were sick i hope when we hear from you again that you will
be well may god in his mercy spare you both and give you
health and strenght to enable you to not feel your work to hard
whatever it may be and may the time soon come that you will
both return safe to your loved ones and your homes we have seen
your likeness I think it a good one we were glad to se it and felt
				     to
very sorry over it and if you have ^ stay their much longer we will send
		a photograph
money to have one ^ taken for me and father to keep your father has got
all his planting done and is going to wash sheep 4 lambs is we have 
							         sheep
and 21 sheep  Mary has 18 sheep and 12 lambs and Will 16 ^ Will [Worder?] 
is going to help to wash them dely has had quiet a chase trying
to get help and now him and Mary have gone to mrs benetts
to tell will to come grass look well and likely to be very heavy
we have
this is ^ fine wheather for crops at present the barley
								ve
and oats look well the cattle all of them look well and we ha^
						a hard winter

[Upside down writing at top of letter] 

i told the numbe of sheep I did not know but he wont have to do v
                it 
but that your father would have all them to wash 

[End]

and the wheat looks good father is wihing you could get
home and we all wish so i need not tell you how much 
you are both wanted at home you know it my dear Thomas
if you have out got well and is able to come home you
you had better try to get a furlow and come home i dont
think you would like to leave Will and it has always
been our greatest desire tha tyou might not be parted
but i do hope you will be better before you get this letter
when we hear of etheir of you being sick we are very 
							      ly
anxious and a week seems a long time before we are like^
to get a another letter all we can do is to write to you and 
				     will
pray to our heavenly father that he ^ guied and protect
you both and comfort you in all your trials whatever 
they may be may our dear redeemer draw your minds
to him and fill your hearts with love and gratitude we
send our love to you both and remain your affectionate
	father and mother
				Robert and Sarah Noddins

[Upside down writing in middle of letter] 
but you know better than we do what is likely to be best
[End]
[Upside down writing at bottom of letter] 
we where thankfull that Will
was with you when you sick i hope
to hear from you
before long
[End]