Florida May 15.
Date in margin on page 2 by recipient is 1837; However, based on the death years of the three children mentioned in the letter-Horace, George Grier, and Ira Van Duzer, the year is 1838. My dear Jennings,
Matters being finally matured at New York Messrs Cary [ , ] Lay and the other associates arrived
there last week. But a long and labored division of con-
tracts remains to be made and all the deeds and sched-
ules are to be copied two or three times. It was impossible
to perform this labor there. After an ineffectual effort to
adjourn to Auburn, we agreed to meet here. I came up
last Saturday. Today they all came up. I am to meet
them at Goshen, and we have possession of our good
fathers house until all is done.
I hoped to have time to write you fully from here. But
at present sentences must go for paragraphs.
Frances Tuthill has been bereaved of both (and her only) children.
God of Mercy! What a fearful afflictions!
I attended yesterday the funeral of Margaret (Jennings) Van Du- zers second child, who fell in the barn and died of the fracture
of his skull.
Locky is still in miserable health, and Polidore’s relapse
makes infinite unhappiness in addition to severe trials of pov-
erty.
Our Uncle Ben is probably in his last illness.
Our Father and Mother both with renovated health are re-
pairing[ , ] altering and improving their home.
I will receive your letters as heretofore addressed
care of Am T. Co. N.Y. Hope to get through here in 10 days or less.
Then a hurried visit to N.Y.[ , ] Philadelphia [ , ] Cornelia & George, then
to Auburn. Tempe is very ill but probably convalesant.

Benjamin J. Seward Esq.
Westfield
Chautauqua Co
N. York
GOSHEN MAY 16
May 15, 1837