Chicago Oct 26th
My Dear Mother
I write you
these few lines to let you know
that we are all well except little
Nellie and she has been sick this
5 month she is in consumption She
had inflammation of the lungs and
it turned to consumption she is
very low now can't hold up her head
William was here to day he is up
well and will soon be laying for
the winter Sam and the family is
well Nancy and the family is well
she has got a young son about 3
weeks ago I could not get writing
to you for Nellie illness I had a
hard time with the children this
summer palmer and piper is well and
not for going home this faull
[fall?] this has been a poor faull
[fall?] for vessels here are poor
freights but the [they?] are in no
debt and William says he will go
home next faul [fall?] to se [see?]
you all and Sam says he is for
going Robert Hastings is for going
home I will send you the likeness
of the schooner and William is for
sending sister a hood and one for
Mrs Taylor when I get time I will
get my likeness to send to Eliza
and if I can get something to send
you Ellen Jane has 4 sons no girls
I did not ask Nancy what she was
for calling her son I do not no
[know?] what Sam calls his son
Sarah never came to se [see?] me
this summer and she has things in
my cellar but she is licke [like?]
the Coulters not very kind Nancy
[-----?] has got a horse and wagon
and he sells bread but I think he
would have been better at his
treade [trade?] I have littel
[little?] more to say give my love
to sister and family with kind love
to you and I hope this will find
you all well give my love to
enquiring friends and I hope you
will write soon
No more I remain your
affectionate daughter
I. Martin
Write soon
295 Main St.
Oct 28 all well
Nellie the same
I.M. [Isabella Martin?]
