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Mary Cogswell (Daughter) To Mary Cogswell (Mother), August 10, 1814

From: Letters -- Miscellaneous Cogswell Family
Creator: Mary Cogswell (author)
Date: August 10, 1814
Publication: Father and Daughter: A Collection of Cogswell Family Letters and Diaries (1772-1830)
Publisher: American School for the Deaf
Source: Yale Medical Library

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To Mrs. Mary Cogswell,
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Hartford
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My dear Mother,-
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You cannot think how much I am obliged to you for your kind letters; for I will acknowledge that I did feel a little homesick till I received them; they brighten me up so much, that although I wish to go home every much, yet I do not feel so much like homesickness.
5  

I am very glad that Alice can hear so well as to hear the bell ring. You mentioned it in your letter from Guilford. I would give anything to see her and all my dear friends in Hartford. You mention in one of your letters something about that you was sorry that the Governor could not have deferred his business for your accomodation. I do not understand it. I wish you would explain it to me in your next letter.
6  

I hope indeed that I have improved as much as you think I have in letter writing, but I very much fear that you will not think that I improve in my hand writing for I am in a hurry. You ask me about the state of my clothes. It being a rainy day Monday we stayed home from school and I mended all of them which had got out of order. My shoes you ask me about. My calfskin shoes are in a sad date, they are ripped. My shoes and nightcaps seem to be the only deficient articles among my clothes.
7  

I went with Alice and Julia to visit Mrs. Williams, she that was Miss Nancy Breed. We spent a very pleasant afternoon. After tea we walked by the side of Shetucket River where we had a very fine prospect.
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The day after I wrote you last as we were at dinner, a procession walked by Mrs. Goddard's. It was the funeral of a female Indian who was to be buried in the Indian burying ground back of Mrs. Goddard's. All the family went out to see her buried. There was a prayer made over the grave by the Baptist clergyman.
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I have studied through Europe, Asia and Africa. I am now studying American and I flatter myself that I shall come home somewhat improved with respect to geography.
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Papa's and Mason's collars are and have been done this great while, but I don't know how I shall send them. We were very much alarmed last night by the firing of alarm guns about one o'clock. It proved to be that the British were at Stonington and firing rockets into the town. We fear that they are to have a battle in New London. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard set out on their journey. They intended to go through Stonington but went no farther than the landing hearing that they were firing rockets into the town. My duty to Papa. I cannot be particular and must beg you to give love and respects to whom you think proper. The children must share a great deal. I am,
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Your affectionate daughter,
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Mary

P.S. I am afraid you will have to use your spectacles.