Delhi   Del. Co. N.Y.
		Dec. 7th 1861
	Dear Cousin James
		Your kind letter
came duly to hand some two weeks
ago. Since its reception I have been
quite indisposed with sore-throat which
we feared might prove to be a serious
affair. which, however has shown its self
to be only a slight Ulceration. and
has quite healed. Sisters Maggie 
and [Phida?] have been some sick
M. with a cold. and P’s illness was
caused by vaccination. but are quite
recovered . indeed entirely so.  The
day is clear but exceedingly cold
it at least seems so. as we had such
pleasant warm

[Written sideways across top left side of page]

been written at different intervals. waiting upon [Ma?] and
company .has kept me
quite busy. I should hope to hear from 
you soon again
In haste
Yours Affectionately
Lizzie. K

[End]
I assure you cousin James I feel
that no thanks are due me for
being as you say a mouth-piece for
our family to you and your family. and 
vise versa for a task so pleasant de-
-serves no thanks. Dec. 11th 1861  You
will notice that this letter has been
commenced some days. I was interrupt.
-ed. and let it lay unfinished until
this time. Mother is very sick. was 
taken yesterday has a very sore throat and
high fever. is resting at present more
comfortably than she has before in 24
hours. There seems to be an epidemic
raging throughout the County. caused
by colds principally. Our village . and
[Presb?] [illegible] particularly have lost an
estimable resident and member. a young
lady. Miss Sarah Gould. A lovely person
died with consumption. only 21 years
of age. Such is life. one by one our friends
are called. who but our Heavenly Father
can tell which of us will next be summoned
I fear I did not give you a correct idea
of our Festival which took place some weeks
since. The Refreshments & music were held
in the Presb. Lecture room. but the dancing was
in the Firemen’s room. Engine house. it would
indeed have been unwise to have allowed
such an amusement in the house of Prayer.
Yes we do take to Tribune, but not the
Evangelist. I judge that we git the same
Political news at about the same time. 
Our President elect is at last inagerated
and how fair his message is. Compromise
to the South is tantalizing. War in our own
loved Country is fearful. [written vertically] [but] all is for the best
and is overruled by a merciful God. I see
South Carolina is preparing herself for the worst.
I have a cousin in Kentucky a young
Lawyer , he writes to me quite often, he said 
in his last letter that he hadn’t the slightest
idea but that Ky would be out of the Union 
before the 1st of May. let them go. You wished
to know how long your letter was
coming . five days I believe , it was mailed on the
16th and received on the 21st . Now
about my anticipated Western Trip _
It is quite undecided whether I go
or not. I have [illegible] strong hopes
of doing so. if nothing happens . more
than we now know of. I received a letter
from Auntie (Uncle John’s wife) They are
both anxious to have me come. They now
have their third little daughter. I
should most assuredly visit you
while on my tour. I have an Uncle
also living in Illinois Quincy City. Think 
I shall see enough friends to may me
well for taking such a tramp. Yesterday
we had a fall of snow. 4 inches in 
depth. it looks again like winter, but
there is no sleighing the frost is so near
out of the ground. Our church choir 
gives a concert soon. wish you could be 
here with your wife. Remember us all to
the friends at the “Grove” with kindest
regards, not excepting Yourself & wife
Excuse this hastily written letter as it has