By Judy Liskey
This letter of 1883 was from Clara. She wrote it on Christmas eve. They had just moved out of Damascus into their new house.
Christmas Eve
Dear Cousin
I suppose you think strange things of me not writing to you before this but hope you will excuse me well I hope you are all injoying this chrstmas. I have spent it very lonely. We had an invitation to dinner to day & was gong but it commenced raining bout 9 Oclock this morning & it’s still raining we have had some very rough weather n the last week or tow the Sleighs were fult flying until the rain & ice stopped them. well Dorcas we mooved last Thursday was a week. We all like your new home so well I would rather live here than in Damascus. Though the distance is not far. I had not been at Phils since we moved till yesterday on account of bad weather but see the men every hour in the day. I like my new furnature so well I just wish you and your Ma could be here with us to night. We are right comfortably fixed for new beginners. We have but 3 beds up because we haven’t the steads. The things we moved from your house is just as they started the varnish is scarred in afew little places on the safe. One of my pullits is laying I traded one of my Roosters off for a hen, butter & eggs is worth 30 cts now. We have now cow yet but Phils cow gives enough for us all. I heard Frank & Sarah had moved how much I would injoy visit them. I suppose you see them often. I have been looking for a letter from them but in vain. Have you been up at home since I left. How well I would like to see them all. How is Doctor & family getting along. I would like to hear from him but Billy is so lazy about writing. I don’t expect Doctor to write to us any more. How is your Uncle Mike this winter did he get his meet house up to live in this winter. Dorcas I wish you could see our little boy. You would be surprised to see how much he has grown and as fat as a pig. His face & arms is as large as Dorahs he is so good. I don’t no that I have a little baby to take care of. I never need take hin in the morning til my morning work is done. Dorah is not half the trouble she was when I was in Va. She often talks of being at Aunties house. Says you must come to see us. We are all well except colds.
Phil & family is well. Jake is complaining some. I will close hoping to hear from you soon. My regards to all inquiring friends.
C.B.
