East Granville Mass.

22 July 1861

 

Dear Cousin

                        Your letter & Photograph came safe to hand last Wednesday & to say that I was happy to hear from you or see your likeness would but faintly express my feelings. Before I opened the package I imagined it was from a nephew & niece in Illinois but was none the less happily disappointed to find it was from my honored Uncle. Uncle Rensalan recognizes your Fathers looks as well as myself but my mother does not. Uncle Levi recognizes your mother. My neighbors on all sides of me / who formally knew your Father have called to see it and all express their admiration. Uncle Levi asked me if I would take $5 for it. I told him it could not be. I intend to get it framed and keep it as a very choice relic. Please give my thanks to your Father for his kindness which is the most I can do at present. My Mothers health is quite poor is not as well as usual. The tumor on her head has ulcerated in a new place within a few days and unless she gets better soon I fear she may continue to fail & perhaps not live very long. I intend to do all in my power to make her remaining days comfortable which the Physicians tell us is all that can be done. It must be about 6½ inches across in each way with a projection of about 3 inches perfectly void of hair & nearly as red as a ripe tomatoe & resembles that vegetable as much as anything I can think of. I think you told me once that you liked tomatoes. I hope I have not written anything that will spoil your appetite. I have been more particular thinking perhaps your Father might like a description of it. I wrote to your sister Mrs Juneau the 7^th inst (the same date of yours) which I think she must got before this time & wrote all the news I thought would be interesting to you at that time. You say it is war, war, war the same is the prevailing topic here & I hope it will be none / the less so until an honorable peace is conquered & Treason tho ever so strong be obliged to succumb to the might of Freedoms strong arm. Congress & the north it seems are thouroughly aroused to a sense of their duty & the events of the past 10 days seem to point toward the realization of our hopes. May God speed the day when the United States shall be free from Traitors.

 

The principal manufacture in Granville is in drums & powder kegs. two of the former & several of the latter are in successful operation. Cooley & Noble employ 25 men in drum making & cannot fill near all their orders. The prospect here for fruit is very slim, other crops fair, grass very good. Wheat Flour is worth from $7 to 8.25 Butter about 13 cts pr lb eggs 15 cts pr doz & corn meal $1.25 pr cwt.

 

Now Cousin I think you must excuse me for this time and answer this at your earliest convenience. meantime please give my very best love to your Father Mother Mothers Sisters Wife & Yourself

 

I remain Your Sincere Cousin

                                    D. E. Robinson

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