Ebenezer Ormsby letter to Charity Rotch, Franklin Township, October 11, 1819

              B-278-1  
                                
               Respected Madam   you will  be Surprised
               to receive a line from a Stranger but you
               will recolect something of me when I tell
               you I was at your house last Spring to
               buy a Cow and that my Daughter was
               a going to live with Mr Lawton-
               I will now tell you the Dealings of
               Providence with me and my family
               since that time
               The 21st day of July I assisted at harvesting
               and was takeing sick at night with a 
               billious fever and have not done a days
               work since my family all took the
               Fever and Ague the last week in August
               and have yet scarcely recovered
               I am only able myself to sit on the bed
               and write this line and think it doubtful
               whether I recover very soon.
               We sent for our daughter at Mr Lawton
               to come and assist the family as they
               all lay sick.
               But she took the fever and God see fit
               to call her out of time into Eternity
               After so much sickness and little or no work
               done we are reduced to the want of many
               of the necessarys of life.
               Should you see fit to contribute something for
               the comfort of the family you will receive the
               thanks of the family and our prayers will
               be that you may live many long and happy
               days.
               Franklin Township
               Oct the 11  1819     To Mrs Rotch     Ebenezer Ormsby