Family Letters: First letter from Sarah Wheeler Sanders to her daughter Lucy Amy Reed

Sarah Wheeler Sanders

I have a bunch of family letters that need to be transcribed which I have been putting off.  Many of them were sent from my 2nd Great Grandmother Sarah Wheeler Sanders to my Great Grandaunt Lucy Amy Reed.  Not all of these letters have dates so I may not get them in order.  Also, Sarah's hand writing can be a bit challenging.  I am doing my best with the transcriptions but there are a number of words I can't identify. I'll give a link to a scanned pdf with each post so you can give me suggestions.

 Sunday Afternoon

My dear Lillie,

    I have been looking for a letter from you for several days but [ILLEGIBLE] that you are busy and have not been fit to write.

    We heard [ILLEGIBLE] though [ILLEGIBLE] this last week.  We have been having beautiful weather the last week although rather dry and dusty but this morning it has rained and everything is looking finely. Cherry trees [ILLEGIBLE] and daffodils are in full bloom. The flowering almond that was [ILLEGIBLE] when you lived here has blossomed [ILLEGIBLE] full.

    I went to church this morning although was rather wet but it was communion day and I have not been to communion for some time and was anxious to go.  I'm united with the church on confession and [ILLEGIBLE] by letter.

    You was much on my mind this morning and I was wishing I might have the privilege of sitting with you at the table of our Lord. Will you not come?

    These May days bring our dear Charles last days to mind with [ILLEGIBLE]. We shall go to him but he will [ILLEGIBLE] no more to us. Dear boy.

    We had a letter from Evanston last week and they are all well and happy. R. seems to be just as busy as you with duties at home and [ILLEGIBLE]. She is a great woman I think [ILLEGIBLE].

    All well at the Wrights and all went to church this morning.  The boys sheep are at home [ILLEGIBLE] and Ned has twin lambs and David has one.

    They have measles and [ILLEGIBLE] in the school and [ILLEGIBLE] likely they may get them but I have had measles and I am glad.

    [ILLEGIBLE] had a letter from Mrs. Foobes to yesterday and I think they must be quite near you. As near as I can make out they are at Lockhaven N.H. 

    [ILLEGIBLE] the [ILLEGIBLE] is not very [ILLEGIBLE]. It is near a lake and I guess a summer rent.  I think you will receive a call sometime from [ILLEGIBLE] and her husband.  Old Ted is all right has a good apatite but is not as fat as in the winter. I [ILLEGIBLE] it is of no use to say I [ILLEGIBLE] have but hopes you will be able to sometime. 

Lovingly S.W. Reed

Here is the scanned image of the letter if you want to try and fill in the blanks.  Some items of note from what I can see:

• It appears to have been written in May.
• Ned is my Granduncle Edward Wright
• David is my Grandfather David Wright
• Given the Wright reference, Sarah was likely writing from Northampton, MA

Here is how everyone mentioned is related to me:

Family

• Sarah Wheeler Sanders(1823-1919) married Benjamin Franklin Reed(1819-UNKNOWN)
• Jane Caroline Reed(1846-1936) married David Joy Wright(1851-1908)
• Edward Nimes Wright(1884-1947) know as Ned
• David Sanders Wright(1887-1967) married Florence Edna Smith(1892-1937)
• Caroline Wright(1930-2016) married Robert Ervin Putnam(1927-2011)
• Me
• Lucy Amy Reed(1848-1918) married John Dresser Lawrence(1847-1907)
• Albert David Sanders(1852-1947) married Rebecca Clark Strong(1854-1935) referenced as R

Unknown

• Charles
• Mrs. Foobes
• Old Ted, who I believe to be an animal