Sunday Jan 9th
My Dear Henry, When I sent my last letter I did not think
it would be nearly a week before I wrote any more, but
I have been sick ever since with the toothache which still
continues to torment me. I believe I sent my letter on
Teusday that day my teeth commenced aching kept me awake
part of the night. Wednesday being a fine clear day Lazette
sent Nancy down to get Frederick in the morning, notwithstan-
ding some remonstrance from Grandma I wrapped the little
fellow up warm and sent him, in the afternoon I went up
myself but was obliged to go to bed with the toothache. I
came home before tea my teeth continued to ache without any
intermission until six o'clock the next morning of course I
did not sleep any, my taper went out, I had no Henry
to call on to assist me in my tribulation so I got up
myself went down stairs lighted a candle got some laudnum
and brandy. Pa in the mean time got up and looked out
to see if I was a robber, went up and kindled a fire
with the candle, but fire nor candle laudnum nor brandy
availed aught my teeth ached and ached until day break.
After Ann had taken Fred and Augustus had taken himself
down stairs I slept two or three hours having given directions
not to be called to breakfast. I got up sick with the
laudnum I had swallowed, dressed Fred, went to bed again,
with the assistance of a ginger poultice slept until dinner
time. That day Thursday I got (no it was Wednesday because
I took it up to read to Lazette) your letter, I read some
of your letter to Clary in presence of P. Ingolls who is sewing
here was sorry afterwards concluded she would tell in the next

time she sewed for any of the Throops, it was the story about the
trunks. people that tell tales are great scourges, I hope I shall
have more prudence, when I cannot tell. Well toothache is the
the burden of my song, a hot poultice which almost skinned
my face releived my teeth so much that I slept very
comfortably, the next night. Saturday morning your letter of
Teusday and Wednesday came, you had not then received my first,
you must have got it before this time. You say nothing about going
to Florida I suppose you will if the river continues open long
enough. It snowed some here last night though not enough to cover the
roughness of the roads. Edward goes to Romulus tomorrow, Clary
does not go with him she and Lazette are going as soon as
there is sleighing. Worden says he will get a sleigh and send
them over. I wonder how long the 100$ will last. Dr. Pitney
has gone west in pursuit of a wife it is said, he has
those widows in view carried letters of recommendations (that
is a description of his house I suppose) to them all, he has
given up getting a housekeeper and thinks it will be less
difficult to find a wife to suit him. It never appears
to be any part of his calculation that any woman can
refuse him. Brown you have undoubtedly heard has been
elected to go to the Albany convention. I have not seen
Mrs B since but think she will accompany him of
course, she thinks her "way is so much the best to always
go with my husband." I have not seen any paper yet
containing the Governors message. I saw Weeds remarks upon
it but suppose of course they are rather severe. What
do you think? Mrs Burt called here yesterday, talked
loud and long as usual said it could not be that
Fred would be as good a disposition as Augustus, children
were so different. I thought it very probable, he is nice now I know.

The Miss Rays also called. You never told me the result of your
visit there, hardly its object. I am sorry for them they are
very poor, they told me all manner of remedies for the toothache.
Charlotte was then at home sick with it. To day it snows and
no one from here goes to Church, my teeth are rather better.
Monday— This morning came another letter from my dear Henry
you thought right dearest when you said that it would
make your letter sufficiently interesting to me that it came
from you. I am sure I shall have nothing to write to you
all winter but my own movements thoughts and feelings.
I wish I could manage to write every day or night rather
but I do not have a fire in my room until in the
evening and then by the time Gus and Fred are asleep
I am so tired and sleepy I cannot keep my eyes open.
To day John Richardson has been over transplanting bedsteads
again ew single bed stead now occupies one corner
of the g room in the basement, the bureau bedstead
is removed to Pa's old bed room, the other remains in the
front room to be in readiness for the ensuing summer
ten rooms in this house are in constant use and require cleaning
every day, living nice is out of the question, one girl who
has 5 shillings a week is considered superfluous help.
Teusday morning – Last evening Edward took the stage for Ovid
we did not see him after tea. I sent a letter and cloak
to Sarah Lewis for her to return with him if Clary & Lazette
do not go. He appeared to think it quite doubtful whether
he came back again, no sleighing yet, I put the linen hand-
kerchief in the bottom of the leather trunk they were wrapped in
something I rather think a silk handkerchief. I do no know
yet how to direct my letters you must write it for me.
My teeth are entirely well I have left the bandage off from my face
your own Frances

William H. Seward.
Albany. N.Y. Jan 12.
Frances A. Seward
12 Jan. 1831