Sunbury, Sept. 15, 1872

My dear Cousins

I often think of the many pleasant hours we spent at your house with pleasure and of the heartfelt prayers our friend put up to the throne of grace for me and mine. It seemed as though our Heavenly world hear and answer. I am thankful to an all wise Providence for sustaining us on our journey and bringing us in safety to our dear children in Ohio. We started the tenth 12 1/2 O'clock from Saratoga and got to Columbus the eleventh at 11 O'clock without any trouble or accident. Found son & wife well & happy to see us. We were calculating to go to Lyman's the 14th in the stage but he came for us in a private conveyance the day before so we went more confortable than we would have gone in stage. I sustained the journey very well indeed & I feel as well now as usual. Lyman's family are well & send much love to my cousins [end of page]

[written perpendicular to text at top of page] Charity, you know Temperance [Greene] calculated to go. Her journey with us our friends thought it would be best for us to take the 12 O'clock train instead of the 7:50 so Spencer [Lydia's husband, d. 1879] went up at 7 to see Temp and he could not find her. He remained to the depot until that train left but did not see her. I felt sorry because I thought she would be so disappointed. Please tell her how it was. Alexander thought we would go quicker on the 12 train and would not be so long on the road.

[Page 2] that were so kind to us they see your pictures in my album & almost feel acquainted with you. Lyman & his father [Spencer Cook] are working on your harness & hope to be able to send it the fore part of Oct if nothing prevents Spencer is troubled some get with a pain in his head. I think it is a sort of Neuralgia. Yet I am thankful it is no worse. Yes, my dear cousins, I feel I have a great deal to be thankful for. A comportable shelter for my body & a place to rest my weary binds. Kind friends & children & other relatives who always bid me welcome a kind & precious Saviour who has always cared for & sustained me all my life long Oh help me bless the Lord for all his mercies to me & mine. Ane will you my friends continue to pray for me & mine that my sone & husband may become humble followers of our Lord & Saviour. With heartfelt thanks & love to you both I remain your ever loving friend & relative.

Lydia Cook

Sunbury, Oct 10th, 1872

Dear cousin Claydon

It is my lot again to write you. This time concerning the harness Lyman has this morning put it on the stage for Delaware. There it will go on the express car to Saratoga. Address to care of A.S. Hays. They say they have made it according to your directions as near as they could& I hope it will please you. The Zinc on the collar may be something new to you. It is a patent Lyman has got soon after he went east but farmers all think it a great benefit for the borse if the neck gets sore the zinc will heal it in a few days. You can if you choose use the collar without the zinc. Please write when you receive the harness and let us know how you are and how the [end of page]

[Page 2] harness suits & oblige your friend & cousin.

Lydia Cook

P.S. I am anxious about cousin Charity's health. The weather is so changable here & I suppose it is there also. All join with me in love to my dear cousins. LC

Since I wrote the above I has brought me this circular so that you can see the value of the zinc collar.