Seney, Iowa January the 3rd, 1876

Dear Aunt and Uncle

I take my pen in hand this afternoon to write you a few lines hoping it will find you both well, as it leaves us all enjoying the same blessing, we have three little children. The youngest, 7 weeks old, whose name is Grace. The other little girl's name is Mary Stella, aged 2 years and 8 months old, and our little boy's name is Joseph Franklin, aged 5 years and 2 months old. We feel that we have reason to be proud of our little ones and I do feel that there is a very great responsibility resting upon us now to bring up our children right, and hope that we may be spared to bring them up. We are having a splendid winter, no snow yet. We have a schoolhouse only a quarter of a mile from us. We have a preacher 3 times in 2 weeks, twice on sabbath and [end of page]

[Page 2] once the next. We are very thankful for that much. We consider that is pretty good for a new country. We believe that our preacher is an excellent man, one that feels the weight of his work. He is a thorough worker. Mother has sent me some of those books called the (Guide). I like them very much and consider them next to the Bible. I intend to take them just as soon as I can afford to, but at present I can't take it. We are getting along as well as we could expect for we came here to a new country with almost nothing but an old team. We were obliged to live in a sod house, which was not as good as a cellar, but we had a small frame house now, and some other things around us, but we have had to work very hard. Husband [B. F. Mills] and I did all our harvesting alone this year. We had 30 acres of small grain and 20 acres of corn, but prices are low and we have had to buy so much machinery that it takes more than we can raise to pay up our debts. Corn is only 20 cents a bushel [end of page]

[Page 3] and the prospect is that is will be cheaper still, and we are owing 103 dollars yet, which is due this fall, but cannot raise the money. Our brother [Friend CLAYDON] arrived here last Thursday all safe. Our brother told us that you had not forgotten the promise you made us about seven years ago, of giving us each $100 dollars, and that if we were in need of it and would write to you, you would send it to us. Now I do not want you to think that I am a beggar for I would rather mortgage our place than beg, but I think it would be acting a lie if I did not write, for I am sure we are in need. I wish you would both come out here and see us. I think you might afford to come and see this beautiful country. We don't live nice like Eastern people do, but we would give you our best accomodations. Father and mother and little brother came to see us this fall and liked the country very much. We should be very glad to see [end of page]

[Page 4] you if you would come. If you can't, please send both of your pictures and a lock of your hair. I am making a hair wreath and I want to get all the relatives' hair that I can. It is almost supper time. I must close for this time. Please write soon. If you wish to send us anything, please sent it to

LeMars
Plymouth Co.
Iowa

If you have changed your minds let us know soon received this from your niece, Sarah Mills