Condition as seen. Extremely interesting and poignent letter from the wife of Lawyer Henry Wyllys Taylor of Canandaigua NY in 1833. Henry Wyllys Taylor (February 2, 1796 – December 17, 1888) was an American lawyer, politician, and jurist.[1] Taylor, third son of the Rev. John Taylor and Elizabeth (Terry) Taylor, was born in Deerfield, Mass., where his father was then pastor, on February 2, 1796. He graduated from Yale College in 1816. On graduation he went to Ontario County, N. Y., and began the study of law in the office of Spencer Coleman, Esq, of Bloomfield. In November, 1818, he entered the office of the Hon. John C. Spencer, of Canandaigua, in the same county, where he continued for one year, or until admitted to the bar. On January 1, 1820, he opened an office in the village of Canandaigua, and soon won his way to public confidence and to success in his profession. In 1836, and the three succeeding years, he was elected to the New York State Assembly. In 1840 he removed to Marshall, Michigan, to take charge of a large estate there. In 1846 he was a member of the Michigan State Senate, but in 1848 he returned to Canandaigua and resumed the practice of the law. He was appointed by Governor Hamilton Fish, in March 1850, a justice of the Supreme Court of New York, to fill an unexpired term of nearly two years, being also ex-officio Associate Justice of the New York Court of Appeals. He also held the office of Judge of the County Court from 1856 to 1860. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Yale in 1869. He was a deacon of the Congregational Church in Canandaigua, from 1828 until his death, except during the period of his residence in Michigan. On October 4, 1832, he married Martha C, the eldest daughter of Thomas Masters, a distinguished shipping merchant of New York City, who died in 1884. They had no children. Taylor died in Canandaigua, December 17, 1888, aged nearly 93 years. He was the last survivor of his college class, and the oldest member of the bar in the State of New York. Monday three o’clock Canandaigua December 30th 1833 My beloved Henry, I have this moment received your letter, mailed one week ago and oh how much painful surprise and nervous anxiety has it detention caused me. Not hearing from you on Friday, I concluded, of course that you were actually on the road home and since that time with now every sudden noise, almost every gush of the whistling wind has made me start thinking ____ the footstep of my too much beloved husband. Oh Henry affections cup hath not lost the taste of tears, and my disappointed feelings have just indulged themselves in a hardy fit of weeping. My judgment tells me that you have decided wisely to remain a little longer since the _____ promise if so delightful, but you cannot tell how lonely I am. Ungrateful I feel I am for my health is reasonably good and never were friends kinder, but nothing touches the shrine on which my husband stands and night and day I feel weary and lonely. Dear Henry, I am glad that you have remained. Yes, I am quite willing that you should remain the six weeks provided. There is no mistake in the decision that it is absolutely necessary to perfect the _____ your eyes, but my love I fear you will never succeed in leaving me behind again. I did not write to you the latter part of last week fully expecting you Home and I now fear that father and mother will be somewhat anxious about_____. She has been quite well ever since I last wrote, though I have not permitted her to go to school until today. The bleeding was quite successful and in a similar attack I should immediately work to it. I cannot perceive that Anna has suffered in the slightest degree from deflection on the contrary she seems even more elastic and in glorious health and spirits. The doctor gave her the sulfate of quinine for a day or two to bring her system up. She certainly behaved most astonishingly well during the whole affair and ____ mother, she gave me not the least trouble except anxiety, which would have been greater if she had been in New York and I had only known of it. ______ week I accompanied Mr. Eddie and the children to Geneva. The sleighing was very good and the day mild so that I enjoyed it exceedingly. Mr. Eddie was in one of his brightest moods and was very agreeable. We dined at Mr. Hopkins, who fascinated me as much as ever by his conversation and took tea at Mr. Dwight. I had quite an argument with Mr. Hopkins about anti-_______. As you will think I was a bold damsel, to encounter in open field such a bright _____ as he. He was really delightful, and my mind flows in more rapid channels after such an _______ is given to thought as in conveying with such intelligent men. We did not get home until the moon was high in the heavens, but arrived safely and well. I have been carrying on quite a flirtation with the doctors of divinity and medicine, they do not be jealous. By the way, the latter _? has had quite a _____ rash about his ears, in the _______ ______ of the sons of ______, with which our village abound. The unfortunate death of Mr. ____ has completed the infatuation of the Mr. D’s who sings they are only to speak the word and the cherished friend and physician of many a respectable family is to step out of the way, and let the Lordlings work there will, and try their ____ and_____ where they please. My spirit has waxed____ of late on Sunday provocations but in such cases, “I feel I do well to be angry”. If you do not make haste and get back, I shall forget the filling up of many a nice _____ tale, ready around with which to weave and hours entertainment for you. On Christmas day, we dined by invitation at Dr. Carr’s and had a very pleasant visit. I considered it the exercise of fine ______ As I should have had put a sorry time if left to uninterrupted meditation on the ones at home. Mr. and Mrs. John C Spence wished for my presence but of course I enjoyed myself most at Dr. Cash. Mrs. Spencer‘s sent for me on Friday evening, but I did not go I however presume I shall have to dine there on New Year’s Day if you do not return. I shall have no excuse. They are very polite and attentive to me. Mrs. _____ is here looking as beautiful as ever. Friday evening we had a very interesting lunch meeting. I could not, but hope it was the beginning of good things in our midsts. Perhaps no more than as a “shaking in the top of the mulberry trees” still it was _____ and I think some of us at least will be led to cry and sigh at the desolation of Zion. Dear Henry, I could fill two or three sheets for you, but must confine myself to a few particulars else I shall fill my sheet without recording what I should. Last week, one day, Jonas Hocker came here and paid me $37. He begs you will not ____ him for the rest of the payments just now he gave sundry reasons, but his tobacco spitting so absorbed my attention that I should have to rack my brain to remember them. Dr. Carr was here and asked the loan of the money which I granted. At first, I did not know whether you would approve but hardly knew what to say but now I am glad I did for I can get money from him which I shall want along for household expenses if you do not return soon. This afternoon we are going to Mrs. Barlow’s to tea. It is now time to set off. Do you not envy me and _____ her. But I beg your pardon, do not think me _____ four your admissions have made great impress upon my ______ spirit but alas, you know what is said of being had in the _____ Monday night. I have taken tea at Mrs. Barlow‘s and spent the evening at Mr. Eddie’s and have returned safely though not in prime spirits for I miss you my love wherever I turn wherever I wrote. On Saturday, I received a letter directed to you from Seneca Falls, written by some man there informing you that your property was, assessed for building new school house $__16. Mr. Lasalers it seems has refused to pay it and he now says he will sue you immediately or rather the trustees have ordered him to levy attacks on the wheat and if that is not sufficed to sue you. John’s answered it today. Anna has had as she says a most delightful sleigh ride. She goes to Palmyra with Mr. Eddie and the children someday this week if the slaying remains good. I had a letter from Mrs. Eli this morning. Her health she says is still feeble though very much improved. She expresses herself as being much benefited by her sojourn with us and that her sister‘s being with her is an unspeakable comfort. I have just been making a hearty supper on cold dishes, which by the way was cooked for your Sundays dinner so certainly did I look for you on Saturday night. I have also drunk part of a bottle of beer which the doctor brought over and which has just got enough in my head to make me uncertain what way be the next thing I shall do or say. I shall give father authority to open this less it should not find you and, be anxious to hear from ______. I long to get further accounts from Col, dear fellow, how long the interval seems between our getting letters. Being on all my books sent from England, I quite long to see them. Do not forget to bring some sort of a fancy handkerchief for Elizabeth such as she can wear around her neck. ________________ I wear ____ very expensive. Let Sarah get it. I feel grieved to hear that Frank ______ has hurt himself. Hope it will not be serious in consequences. Dr. car wishes to send some ______ to you so I will leave this open until the morning. What would I ever give for a short glimpse of your precious face my husband it would Gladden my heart which in spite of fed her teaching will be anxious about you. Is not Mr. Taylor to accompany you home? ______ him of _____ girlish pleasure it would give me to welcome him here in our own course as you do not say much about it I presume he will not come. To whom is James Halstead wedded. Good night my best beloved. May God bless my Henry. Good morning my love. We are all quite well this morning we saw in the north one of the most beautiful bright rainbows I ever be held. Strange occurrence on the last day of my heart _____ two many parts of your valued letter, but I was too low spirited yesterday to indulge myself in sentimentalize. Give our kindest love to all. Arma is to write a letter home someday this week. Will you please bring Dr. Carr some vaccine matter as he cannot procure any good here. James is waiting so I must hastily close. Goodbye God bless you. To be opened by Mr. ___ if Mr. ____ left New York
