Maria letter to Mary (Borden) Rodman, Newport 18th of the 7th mo 1777

              A-14-1
                             Newport 18th of the 7th mo 1777
  I received a letter from thee my Dearest Cousin by my Brother Tommy, wh overy unexpectedly to us came down in the flag last fifth day; but he cou'd give us no intelligence of your family later than the date of thine; I sent him immediately up to Cousin H - with the letters, she was then so well as to resolve to write to thee herself by this conveyance, to tell thee that she was not entirely without hopes of recoering; and to thank thee for thy affectionate offer of protection to her Daughter:  but thy care of her, my Dear Cousin, is tender'd unnecessary by an event the most afflicting to her poor mother. Bashy has been unusually well this winter: her Mother has been unwilling to have any other nurse, & the care & exercise consequent on that occasion, by diverting her attention from her own complaints have been very conducive to her health. Mommy was up there on the evening of the 14, she was cheerful & lively. Cousin H. too was more comfortable than for a week past, talk's with pleasure of her being able to write to thee tomorrow & give thee her self so agreeable an account: but alas! she knew not what a few hours wou'd produce - about twelve Bashy was siezed with a fit, which was succeeded