This letter was written by Huldah Dimick (1808-1858) to her sister, Beulah Booth Dimock (1810-1902). They were the daughters of Joseph Dimick (1772-1853) and Sabra Pease (1776-1858) of Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vermont. Other siblings mentioned in the letter are Charles Sexton Dimick (b. 1804) and Sabra Dimick (b. 1806). Sabra’s husband, Ebenezer (“Eben”) Lewis, died in 1838 and Sabra’s financial hardship is chronicled in this letter.
Beulah married Daniel Robinson (1808-1882) in 1845 and the couple settled in Woodstock, Vermont.
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Addressed to Miss Beulah Dimick, Bridgewater, Vermont
Broad Brook [East Windsor, Connecticut]
November 6, 1839
Dear Lah,
I received your letter last evening and I will commence writing this, but I can’t write but a little till tomorrow evening because I must see John B. or Denison. They went away today but I know they won’t want you as well as I can know. I will tell you why they are leaving. Just such times here about money as they had when I was here before — only worse. They have let part of the weavers go. They are not doing near as much work as they did a few weeks ago. There is 5 or 6 pair of looms standing still.
Uncle Jonathan was here yesterday. He says his folks are well. Aunt Wealthy has been sick but is better now. Uncle Well’s mother, that I wrote to you was so smart, is dead now. If you hant sent them a paper, you must. I am agoing to send Julie one. If you see her, tell her to send me one. I will write to Sabra in 3 or 4 weeks. I should now, only Beulah wants an answer now.
I received your letter last week. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Sabra writes she doesn’t know what she should do if it weren’t for father, my dear father. I am glad to hear you are so good to her. She needs a father’s and mother’s help and protection — the most she ever has since she was a child. You don’t have no girls to board now and I hope you will give to her and I believe you will be rewarded for it. I think you can and not feel it. A few pounds of meat and cheese, once in awhile a loaf of bread. I wish you would give her my chickens or some other hens if she wants. She is in a critical spot and her health is poor, and I know she must have a hard time to get along. Poor creature. I hope she and her little ones will be provided for. She was always liberal when Eben was alive. Nothing was too good for anyone to eat or drink. Brother Charles, I hope you will get someone to chop wood for her 2 or 3 days if she has got to hire every such thing done. It will soon eat out a farm. But enough of this. Study your own duty. Dorwin, be a good boy and help her some. Marm, I want you should stir up a great cake just as I used to. Bake it in a pint dish and carry it to Hannah and tell her it is a present according to my order.
It is very sickly in Cabotsville. A great many died with the small pox and yellow fever. They think it came in a bale of cotton.
Beulah, I return to your subject. Have talked with John B today. He says he doesn’t want you now. He doesn’t know but factory will stop in January. They have got wool enough to last till then. If the times ain’t better, I presume it will stop. But if it should run, I think I shall stay till spring. You could not earn as much if you were here this winter. They have reduced the wages and the days are short and the wages are tender. I hant made any more than a dollar a week for a number of weeks past. I charged William if he went up there not to go through Cabotsville.
My health is very good and I enjoy myself very well. Have got my cloak and dress. My bonnet, cloak, and dress have cost me a sight of money — 12 yards of cotton cloth, pair shoes, one handkerchief besides, but I need them and I don’t have to get them again.
It is half past ten and I can’t write any more. Shant need to give directions about your coming down here. Goodbye. Yours in haste. — H. D.
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