Buffalo, Dec 29, 1866

My Dear “Aunties”-

For this letter must answer for both.  I received your letter, and dear Aunt Catherine, thank you very much for your lovely Christmas gift, it happened to be the very article I needed, and which mother has been trying to get knit for me - “Bob” was so sorry, he was not able to be with you Friday eve- but went to New York Christmas morn, and returned Thursday, about used up. He had some trouble about passports, not supposing they were necessary, only for those going abroad. And so were obliged to send to Washington.  And another thing, he has had so many last things to think of in the way of his house which I am very thankful will be off his mind for a few weeks- together with the office work, that I even have scarcely seen him until night came. I did not intend to leave Dear Aunt Maria without a few parting words, I knew you would be very anxious, to hear all about us, and our plans- but of course have had many little details to attend to also, and wished to be able to sit down, and write without being interrupted--We leave tomorrow night,  intended to this eve, but having so much trouble about our passage, has delayed us.  Our staterooms are not what we would wish, but I learned today, a “Mr. Allen” whom we know, is the owner of the line. I intend to send our card to him and possibly we may fare better-  Mollie will remain with her “Grandma” so I have half my heart behind,  but the dear little girl will be better off, I am quite convinced from what Mrs. S L R Watson told us, and God grant she may be kept in good health, until our return--- We sail Thursday next, at noon in the “Morro Castle”. “Bob” will return in February for a few weeks. Henry Bent will also superintend the house while he is absent.  Our friends have all been very kind, during any sickness, and I scarcely know how to thank them, for the last three days, almost every one I know have been in to bid me good bye - it is very gratifying to feel you are  _______.

       “Augusta” was in this morning, says Aunt Mary is about the same.  It will be very pleasant having both “Henry” and “Clara” with us. I dread the sea voyage very much, but “Dr’s Bull & Foster” have provided us with a case of remedies and I trust they will be beneficial Give much love to “Dr.” Henry and Lithi-  and earnestly do I hope we may be spared to return to Mollie and our home - both of us quite restored to health. I commence to think I shall be the well one, and “Bob” the invalid. With much love to all I bid you an affectionate good bye -

                                       Yours---

                                               Sara

January 1st, 1867

 New York

My precious ones all--

I know you are anxious to hear from us, and so do not wait until tomorrow.  Our ride here was very tedious to me, I did not sleep (one wink even-- We partook of your lunch dear mother and all enjoyed it heartily-  It also answered for our breakfast next morning with the addition of a hot cup of coffee and saved us getting out of the station for it was (scu___) out and cold-- I am right glad to day I took no cold.  We were so comfortably provided for having three sections-- We put up the blankets against the windows which protected us splendidly,  so we reached here with no ill effects save being quite tired.  Our rooms were ready for us, good fires-  and the first floor - No. 17 and 18 - bathroom, wc attached so you can see we are very comfortable.  We, that is Clara and I took dinner in our rooms it was so late and we wished to lie down.  I undressed and had quite a nap. Mrs. Y-- will be very much shocked to hear I did go with the rest of the party to see the Black Crook but I was there,  so Bob thought it would not answer to leave me behind.  We took a covered carriage right at the entrance and therefore walked no distance, besides having an extra shawl-- I was very beautiful but -- the damsels in rather slight apparel for such cold weather .  I slept well I assure you, but still missed my own spring bed.  Today it is snowing hard---  We did not breakfast until  eleven, and have been since in the Parlor watching the numberless carriages and a few sleighs which are passing.  Have ourselves received one call from Tom Cochrane-= he dines at five so Clara and I are arrayed.  Laura Hill also was here Saturday afternoon to see us.  Also Connie Clark , sister of Lucia Burton, and Mip Lillie Parker of Buffalo who is visiting here. She tells me Lucia sailed for Europe the first of December that her lungs are affected and she will join her brother Cyrus at Nice.  I thought En had not probably heard of it.  I suppose the Riches will call tomorrow.  Laura spends the day with friends . You will be delighted to hear that Bob went down to Mr. Allen, taking the card and telling him what Mrs. Miller said, but upon looking at the books found the agent had reserved the rooms we wanted after all.  I presume it was because Bob told him he would pay a bonus to get rooms in the upper saloon - two rooms opening into one another.  We go on board at eleven Thursday.

       And now to the most important part of my letter and that is how is my darling little girl?  How many, many times my thoughts go back to her-- My precious Molly be a good little girl and mind Grandma-- The stores were not opened today or we should have got your dolly, but tomorrow both Papa and Auntie Clara are going out and it will get to you the last of the week. Mama will do the best she can and I hope you will like it.  Did you tell Grandma about seeing to your teeth in a weeks time at the Harvey’s. Oh! mother, take good care of my one precious lamb that I leave - when night comes I am quite unhappy. I want to see her and all of you so much.  I was cut out for a home-body.  Clara seems to enjoy everything very much. Kisses - Mama and Papa send thousands of them to our darling little girl, she must remember us in her prayers, as Mama does her, and ask to bring us safe home again.  Give love to Eve Rick and dear Lena whom I did not kiss and thought of when too late.  Henry and Billie dear boys.  I must mention all Auntie Bent and Family.  Good bye precious, precious mother and child.  I shall keep a journal if I am able and write immediately I can do so.  Good bye.

Dear Mother,

       Sara and Clara insist upon my adding a postscript to their letters, but I suppose in the matter of our doings and the things we have left undone, they have posted you up fully, including the “Colored Cook” which we witnessed last night through a smoky glass.  I have just returned from an inspection of the “Morro Castle”, and find our rooms (the last ones they gave us) as desirable as any on the boat --- provided with life preservers in abundance, and plenty of tin dishes for cascading purposes.  I hope our little darling girl has been one of the best of children, and will continue to be.  “Kiss her for her father”, and tell her to write us a long letter to Havana.  With much love to all

       Yrs affectionately

               Robert

      

Dear Mother-                                                                                  p 7

               The letters and telegraph came all right and glad indeed was I to hear the last thing so before leaving home-  Dear Mollie’s letter was so cunning we all read it.  Tell her she must write again when she hears from me and I do hope she will be the very best of little girls -  I send to day the dolly and (a kiss from Mrs. Barnard) the furs are for Tina with a thousand kisses.  I felt so sorry that I did not bid her good bye.  Clara has been out shopping all day for me getting a few indispensable things.  This evening they are going to the Broadway Theatre.  I’ve not been out at all for I felt my journey some to day.  Bob is improving, Clara well today.  Julia Hilliard, Jack Sproull, Geo. and Charley Dilly, Al Lathrop and Laura called, and Charles Hays also came down to bid us good bye.  Last evening we were all very quiet and went to bed early.  Thank you and Auntie Birt very much for all your trouble, dearest mother.   Sometime I hope to repay it all.  I feel perfectly at ease as regards leaving Mollie with you and Eve.  It was only my feeling on leaving so many dear ones behind.  If I could take all with me I should be very happy.  They call for our baggage at nine A.M. and we go on board at eleven.  You can write, it seems, by the next steamer on the 10th of January, directing it to Bob at Havana, Cuba.  A steamer leaves every Thursday. Put on a ten cent postage stamp.  Now kiss all good bye from me- and precious Mollie, remember Papa and Mama every night.  Good bye and more - - -

                       Sara

January 2nd, 1867

New York, January 2nd, 1867

Dear Mother,

This is our last night in America for some time in all probability.  Hence forth we shall cultivate foreign manners and forget our native tongue as soon as possible. Don’t you worry about any of us.  We shall all be better three days from now than we have been before in a year, and I have no doubt that by next spring the balmy breezes of Cuba will have entirely rejuvenated us all.  Our visit here has been so interrupted by holiday festivities and all the inhabitants feel so soreheaded today that we have had hard work to finish up everything today. But we are all right now, I believe. Tell Mollie not to forget to write some more of her nice letters to Havana.  Love to all,

       Yours affectionately

       Bob