Florida January 1^st 1837
My Dear Brother I take my pen in hand to
Commmence the New year by wishing you many
long and happy years and may you be enabled
by Divine Grace Assisting you to turn from serving
sin and satan and serve the Lord. We have had great
revivals in this part of the lords vineyard. During
the year that has just past the revival commenced
at Edenville soon after our preachers come on the
Circuit last may at Eden about 50 were Awakened
at Mount Eve & Big Island 15 or 20 at Florida some 30 or 40
and on other parts of the cuircit quite an awakening
has taken place at all most every appointment on the
cuircit and still continues. We have three very good men
on the cuiriut this year they came here filled with the (holy ghost
if I may be allowed the expression) and have stirred up the minds of
the people very much to the Interest of there souls salvation
Papa and Mama have enjoyed a protracted meeting held here three
weeks since the preachers have taken a new turn in there
Praching that is to let other Denominations of Christians
Alone and Preach there own sentiments and a free
Salvation to all men. Those prejudices which used to
be so strong in this place are giving way by many of the
members of the Presbyterian Church in this place

I now wish to communicate something that may be ^as^ Interesting
to you as it is to me some time about the first of December at
a meeting of ^the Inhabitants^ Florida and its Vicinity the Academy being crowded full
the question being asked by one of our preachers. would you like to
have a Methodist Church in this place. the congregation unanimously
arose in the affirmative a subscription Drawn up which has been
circulated with some considerable success as it now stands with about
eleven hundred Dollars on it and the sum ^of two thousand Dollars^ we wish to raise for
the object of erecting a house of worship that shall be be
respectable to the Village and to the society to which it will
belong I thought you might feel a little Interested in your
Native Place and consider us by a Donation of something
our society here is feeble and weak we meet with opposition
from Dr Cummings and his wealthiest Members will you therefore
have the goodness to bear our weakness in mind and try to do some-
thing for us[ . ] Brother B J Arrived here last evening week leaves
Tuesday or Wensday next Mrs Harriett Smith has taken to her-
self a helpmate Mr Calvin Sawyer living on the Thos Waters
Farm[ . ] Mr Thos Pitts of New york has Purchased the Thompson
mill Property for the sum of Nine thousand Dollars with the view of
erecting a cotton factory the ensueing summer Mr Justus Dill
has purchased the Simonton Property on the corner for the sum
of Nineteen hundred Dollars. Mr Dill and Myself talk of opening the old
store in May next in the Mercantile business. Col Richard was appointed
turnpike inspector last spring and this winter he is endeavoring
to have all the Turnpikes Indicted

Nothing new worth relating the Political contest has gone
by default of the whigs in not turning out to the Polls. Shame
Mr Ackerson on the Jennings Farm has got through with all he
had on the farm and six of our cows and one pair of cattle
with the rest. My little charge are all well at present
Papa and mama are enjoying very good health for them
the weather is very cold and no sleighing yet we have
had several flights of snow but no sleighing we have had two
severe floods here lately the highest water that has been known
for several years. Mama Recd a letter from Francis last
evening[ . ] they are all well she is enjoying better health than she
has for two years. Pleas to excuse my freedom for thus int-
ruding myself upon your time and Patience and Believ[ e me ]
to be yours
I Pray you to think of an Interest in the Redeemers Blood
Edwin P Seward
W^m H Seward Esq

Florida
Jan 5th
Hon W^m H Seward
West Field Weathers Field
Chataque County
New York
E. P. Seward
Jan 1, 1837.