08. Letter from Leah Catharine Deyo Jessup to her sister-in-law, Maria Lefevre Deyo dated 1847-03-11

              Dear Sister Maria	
		I shall commence writing this morning
for fear I may be interrupted tomorrow. & I would not 
have another week pass without writing, & then you have 
been so kind as to send the first letter, & a welcome
one it was, Mr. Jessup brought it up Tuesday afternoon
together with George Wynkoop, who was on his way
to New York. he said they were all well, & regretted
much that James had not brought that cake, but they
thought they had no time to go back to our house,
Jane Deyo was visiting us the same afternoon but notwithstanding
all this your letter received the first attention, & I 
thank you most sincerely for writing so long a letter, though
I was almost sorry you lost so much sleep to accomplish
it, after this take it up more moderately take two or 
three days, whenever you have a few leisure moments
you need not be particular, as to style & [etc.], with the
children around you it is very difficult writing. I
have that no more for an excuse, I think now it must
be the gold pen, Mr. Jessup has been so kind as to
procure for me, My fingers not being accustomed
to handling so fine a pen (but enough of this) your
letter gave me great satisfaction, I enjoyed it very
much indeed, though there are a few things I regret
the first is, that I am not more worthy of that
affectionate regard you so freely bestow, another
is that you have been so lonely without me

(con’t from page 4)
me pleasure to hear at all times, remember me to all inquir(ing)
friends  tell them to call & see me  - your loving & devoted sister
how strange that name looks                           Leah Catharine Jessup

[printed on the side of the page]
Give my love to Alfred & Leah when you see them 
If you send any thing down have it directed to the store as it
will be more convient (sic) for them for them. If you have anything you wish colored?
it will be  a good chance.