Sunbury, March 27, 1876

My dear Cousins

Dear Cousin Claydon,

I read a letter from Harriet last week saying dear cousin Charity was dead & that you was confined to your bed. So she heard she saw she or Ben were both sick at the time or they would tried to get there to the funeral. I feel to sympathize with you in your bereavement yet I know our Father in Heaven will sustain you in your affliction & take you softly to the mansion he has prepared for you. You & I won't tarry long behind. When I last bade you good bye I did not think I should see this day. But the Lord has let me live on his foot-stool [end of page]

now than 4 years since. If God had permitted I should have been happy to be with you & C during your sickness and attended to your wants. But that was not to be. Our Heavenly Father has blest me with better health the past winter than usual, bless the Lord o my soul & forget not all his benefits I would like to know the particulars of dear C [Charity] sickness & death. Did she die happy in her Saviour & rejoice that she was going home? She was a good kind christian woman & I believe she is happy. May the Lord bless you & restore you to health if it is his will.

I cannot refrain from expressing my gratitude to you for your kindness to me & mine when we last visited you & Charity. Finally you have been kind for which I must express my gratitude here I may never have another opportunity.

May our good Lord bless & keep you for his own glory.

- Lydia Cook

Spencer joins with me in love to you